City assessment of the Ontario Line makes the case for using vehicles with a capacity similar to TTC subway system, instead of the smaller vehicles proposed. toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2… (PDF) 
City assessment of Ontario Line lays out several issues with the Metrolinx Initial Business Case, e.g. “There are many instances where conclusions are reached and/or statements made where no backup documents are provided.” toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2… (PDF)
Message throughout this City report is that the province’s tone has changed. Less dictatorial, more collaborative. “The Province has committed to collaborate with the City and TTC as the priority projects are developed.”
BIG: Province is open to reimbursing the City for “reasonable costs” incurred on work on the Scarborough Subway and Relief Line to date.
WOW, so the City ALSO got a deal where they don’t have to contribute capital funds to the Ontario Line and other provincial transit priorities, and can instead put that money toward State of Good Repair.
So the City gets:
- Subway upload off the table
- Reimbursement of some money spent to date
- No municipal contribution required for Ontario line, Scarborough Subway, other projects.
In return for supporting $3.2 billion in federal money redirected to the Ontario Line.
- Subway upload off the table
- Reimbursement of some money spent to date
- No municipal contribution required for Ontario line, Scarborough Subway, other projects.
In return for supporting $3.2 billion in federal money redirected to the Ontario Line.
This is really big for the City. The no-more-upload bit is significant, sure, but the province freeing the City of any obligation to put up capital dollars is HUGE. Amazing that the province put this on the table.
Like to be clear, this means the Scarborough Subway will now cost Toronto’s government ZERO DOLLARS. City can redirect $1.2375 billion raised through tax levy and dev charges to state of good repair projects.
“As the City will no longer be responsible for providing capital contributions to these four projects, subject to
approval of the term sheet, the City will be insulated from potential cost overruns. This arrangement represents a significant financial benefit.” NO KIDDING.
approval of the term sheet, the City will be insulated from potential cost overruns. This arrangement represents a significant financial benefit.” NO KIDDING.
(Between this and the educational support workers, Ford’s negotiating strategy these days seems to be “give the other side everything they could possibly want.”)
Despite all this, the City still seems REAL skeptical about the Ontario Line’s 2027 opening date. “It is expected a more accurate estimate of schedule will be determined as the project advances.”
Red flag: 3-stop Scarborough subway could take longer than 1-stop plan, so City and province will “discuss responsibility for funding costs for maintaining Line 3 (Scarborough RT) and/or replacement transit service in Scarborough as a result of the change in scope and delivery.“
(“Replacement transit service” AKA the buses they may have to use to replace the RT when keeping the old thing running becomes impossibly cost prohibitive.)
So, in short: REALLY good deal for the City from a financial/operational perspective, but they’re accepting a multi-year delay for the Scarborough Subway and some degree of delay risk with all the unknowns related to the Ontario Line.
Not Council’s problem any more under this deal, but the cost estimates for these provincial transit projects are REALLY loose. ~$11B Ontario Line could increase by 100%. $5.5B cost for 3-stop Scarborough subway appears to be more of a guesstimate than anything.
Per IO, City expects RFQ/RFP process for Ontario Line in 2020, L2EE (Scarborough Subway) in 2021.
More on the life and eventual death of the Scarborough RT: TTC is currently working on report on whether it can be kept on life support to 2030. Expected in Q1/Q2 next year.
Over next 20 years, City plans to add 45 new soccer/multi-use fields, 30 basketball courts, 20 tennis courts, five cricket pitches, one hockey/skating arena, zero baseball diamonds, and zero bocce ball/lawn bowling courts. toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2… (PDF)
Demand for ice sports is “evolving” so much that City is considering converting some arenas into other uses, like indoor skate parks. Sorry hockey fans.
This “sorry hockey fans” tweet caused a bit of a stir, entirely unintentionally on my part. Really, I was just making fun of hockey fans because I like other sports better. But here’s a response thread from City staff making clear their pro-hockey stance.
