TTC Purchases Tunnel Boring Machines for Spadina Extension

Commissioners approved a report to award a contract worth $58.4 million for the purchase of four tunnel boring machines from LOVAT Inc. in Etobicoke. The machines will be used to dig approximately 13.5 kilometres of twin tunnels on the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension. Funding for the subway extension is provided by the Government of Canada, Province of Ontario, City of Toronto and The Regional Municipality of York.


Pilot on 501 Queen to Examine Splitting Route

Commissioners received for information an update report on service improvement plans for the 501 Queen streetcar service. From Oct. 18 to Nov. 21, the 501 Queen service will be split downtown as a trial, and will run from both the Long Branch Loop and the Humber Loop in the west to the Church/Parliament area, and from Neville Park Loop in the east to the Bathurst/Shaw area.

The weekday pilot will help examine the effects of a route split on streetcar gapping, bunching and short turns, as well as study the impact on customers forced to transfer to continue their trip beyond the split.

TTC staff will present a final report and recommendations to the Commission at its meeting next January.

Dufferin Station Modifications

Commissioners approved the final finishes and artwork for the Dufferin Station modernization project. Station finishes include new ceilings, floors, signage, lighting and furnishings. The upgrades also include landscaping, street furniture and an artwork concept, which incorporates digitally manipulated photographs taken of the existing station and surrounding environment.

The modifications are scheduled to be completed April 2012.

2008 TTC Special Constable Statistical Report

Commissioners received for information the annual Special Constable Year-End 2008 Statistical Report. The report shows that the total number of criminal incidents on the system increased by 0.4 per cent while ridership increased by 1.5 per cent. In 2008, the number of reported criminal offences increased by 11 per cent compared to 2007 (note: one incident can have several offences associated with it).

TTC/TPS Special Constable Transit Policing And Security Plan

Commissioners considered, and subsequently approved, a report concerning a transit policing and a security model that would transfer responsibility of the TTC Transit Patrol Section to the Toronto Police Service. The TTC and TPS will work to ensure the successful resolution of associated employee relations and duty of care issues, such as salaries, pensions and benefits.

Transit City Funding Update

Commissioners approved a funding request to the City of Toronto worth $134.5 million for the continued planning, design, construction, property acquisition and contract commitments in 2009 for the following Transit City projects: Sheppard East LRT, Eglinton Crosstown LRT, Finch West LRT and Scarborough RT Expansion. The funds are part of a City Manager’s request to Metrolinx for $253.4 million to the end of April 2010.