One Toronto city councillor would like to see buses permanently replace TTC streetcars on the 501 Queen Street route.
Commuters have been boarding buses instead of streetcars on the route since May due to ongoing construction and road work.
The plan, in place until Sept. 3, has the TTC shelling out an extra $1 million per month. During peak hours, as many as 65 buses are needed to provide service similar to the 45 streetcars that normally operate.
Coun. Michael Ford proposed to the city’s public works committee on Thursday that staff conduct a two-week study of the most efficient mode of transportation on the route.
“Once construction is complete on Queen Street, we keep the buses going for two more weeks for our city staff and the TTC to study an apples-to-apples comparison and really put forth data and evidence on what moves Toronto more efficiently, effectively and safely,” Ford told AM640 listeners on the John Oakley Show Thursday afternoon.
LISTEN: Councillor Michael Ford discusses his proposal on AM640.
Ford could not attend the city’s public works committee meeting on Thursday, but put forward a statement in his absence.
“Buses are more manoeuvrable should there be an incident on the road, have less weather-related issues, and should they prove to be a better service option, are relatively easier to procure,” Ford wrote.
According to the councillor, the last time streetcars were removed for a significant period of time was in 2002, and there was no data collection to compare service levels.
Ford’s motion passed at the city’s public works committee on Thursday, along with a second motion asking if a four-week study would be feasible.
The matter could be before city council in July, with the TTC having the final decision.
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