TTC approves study of streetcar-only routes on King Street

TORONTO – The city may soon be studying the possibility of dedicating portions of King Street for streetcars.

The board of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) voted unanimously Monday to study the idea of prohibiting all vehicles but streetcars from travelling on portions of the road during the morning rush hour.

The motion was put forward by TTC Chair Karen Stintz.

The passage of the motion wasn’t without criticism: A letter from the Canadian Courier and Logistics Association suggested the move could seriously impact courier deliveries to businesses along the street if provisions were not made for couriers.

The motion will now be reviewed by the Public Works Committee in September.

King Street is the city’s busiest streetcar route handling approximately 65,000 commuters each day. 

The idea however is being greeted with opposition from some councillors including deputy mayor Doug Holyday, Councillor Doug Ford and Mayor Rob Ford.

Holyday suggested taking out streetcars altogether and replacing them with buses.

While the mayor and his brother trashed the idea during their Sunday radio show on Newstalk 1010.

During the Sunday talk show, the mayor suggested phasing out streetcars completely according to the Toronto Star.