toronto under gardiner strachan

Morning Brew: OneCity is toast, Rob Ford is angry at lingering bag tax, Toronto could get LED ads, TDSB wants to track its staff, and a daily TTC scorecard

Well, it was nice while it lasted, but Karen Stintz and Glenn De Baeremaeker's OneCity transit proposal is dead. Yesterday councillors stripped the expansion plan back to a promise of a study and a fall public consultation on the TTC. The pair couldn't muster enough votes to study converting the Scarborough RT to subway, either. Over at The Star, there are some pretty disappointed subway riders.

According to the National Post, Rob Ford isn't happy that some major retailers are still charging the five-cent plastic bag fee despite it officially being abolished on 1st July. Stores such as Loblaws and Shoppers Drug Mart are diverting the money to charity, they say. Are you concerned about the nickel charge hanging around if the money goes to a worthy cause?

Toronto could be getting more electric LED billboards - bright adverts that light up at night - but some industry insiders are worried the technology will lead to more traffic accidents and more distracted driving. In the second part of their two-day meeting, city councillors will discuss the issue later today. In the wake of the Astral info pillar hacks, is more advertising on our streets a bad thing?

The Toronto District School Board will install GPS tracking devices on all its work vehicles to try and prevent workers slacking off on the job. Because knowing where your van is at all times is definitely going to keep the guy inside busy.

The TTC will now publish a daily report card illustrating how well it performed in various key areas like subway punctuality, ease of access and its ability to provide a "reliable headway" on busses and streetcars, whatever that means. Check out how the system performed yesterday (not so well).

In advance of Toronto hosting of WorldPride 2014, new adverts have begun appearing in London, the current host city, on the sides of cabs. Some vehicles are decked out in rainbow colours while others have leather or bright pink fur style coverings. The tagline is "Ride with Pride Toronto."

IN OTHER NEWS:

You can catch up on all things blogTO on the go. Download our apps for the iPhone and iPad. On Android? We've got one coming for you too.

Photo: "Under Iron" by Dominic Bugatto in the blogTO Flickr pool.


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in MB Toronto

Morning Brew: Councillors say Fords are in conflict over sewage spill, PCs pitch relief line, TTC driver under fire, Presto likely delayed, and local moonshine hits LCBO

Morning Brew: Daniel Dale libel suit to proceed despite apology, communication system hobbled TTC Monday, more snow is due, and Ford (plus council) dances again

Morning Brew: Daniel Dale to proceed with libel action, fresh snow makes for sloppy roads, Mammoliti billed $25K for office renos, and council meeting ends in chaos

Morning Brew: Karen Stintz to step down as TTC chair, Rob Ford busts a move in church, Conrad Black hits out, and effigy burnt in protest at Queen subway shooting

Morning Brew: Doug Ford sorry for handing out cash at TCHC complex, Rob Ford silent on Daniel Dale libel suit, and NDP leader calls for Nelson Mandela station

Morning Brew: Integrity commissioner declines to probe crack scandal, reporters, a few councillors attend Ford's xmas party, and motion could re-open subway debate

Morning Brew: Mammoliti event under investigation, Fords should leave police budget talks, report calls for GO trains over relief line, and Rob Ford claymation

Morning Brew: Ford says Bill Blair politically motivated, cop sentenced for G20 assault, TTC free on NYE, tears at Const. Zivcic memorial, and a Winston Churchill statue