Mayor Ford has requested that the TTC develop a new transit plan consistent with his platform. Work on a new plan is underway. For more info on the current plan see the Metrolinx website at http://www.metrolinx.com This is an external site and will open in a new window.

 

Artist rendering of Transit City Sheppard East stop.

The TTC is introducing a new mode of transit in Toronto, Light Rail Transit (LRT). LRT is quickly becoming  the method of choice to provide reliable, convenient, accessible and comfortable transit service in North American cities. With higher capacity and speed than current bus systems, modern electricity-powered Light Rail Vehicles (LRV) will carry passengers in reserved transit lanes with transit-priority traffic signals apart from traffic congestion with  no local emissions. Each vehicle will have low floor entrances and be accessible to customers with all levels of mobility.

Why Light Rail?

  • Rail vehicles have higher capacity than buses; can be operated individually or combined into longer vehicles
  • Dedicated right of ways result in reliable and predictable service
  • New rail lines attract more passengers than the bus routes they replace
  • Well designed, modern vehicles are more attractive and comfortable for riders than buses
  • Rail lines have sense of permanence which will attract investment and upgraded streetscape treatments
  • Can operate at surface or underground

Environmental Benefits

LRT is an environmental-friendly system that minimizes transportation-related emissions. Some of the environmental benefits include:

  • Electrically powered
  • No local Emissions
  • Infrastructure improvements to sustainable transportation modes of walking, cycling and public transit
  • Encourages transit oriented development

Vehicle Features

  • Multiple entrances and proof of payment
  • Fast boarding with 100% low-floor access
  • Electrically powered
  • Zero emissions on the street
  • One LRV equals 3 buses
  • Can combine up to 3 vehicles to carry more passengers

Transit City Light Rail Vehicles

Artist rendering of Transit City Light Rail Vehicle

On June 14, 2010 Metrolinx signed a purchase agreement with Bombardier for 182 Transit City light rail vehicles. The value of this purchase is $770 million and includes an option for 118 additional vehicles to a maximum of 300 LRVs in total. These vehicles will serve the four Transit City priority projects:  Sheppard East LRT, Eglinton Crosstown LRT, Finch West LRT and the Scarborough RT replacement/extension. This vehicle purchase is an important step towards completing the initial four projects and realizing the social, economic and environmental benefits of rapid transit expansion.