What Do You Want in the New TTC Streetcars?
It looks like the TTC are finally, really listening to the city. At a media event this morning, TTC Chair Adam Giambrone announced plans for 120 kilometers of new light rail tracks for street cars, and more importantly, the addition of new, accessible streetcars.
The best part? The TTC are asking you for input about the features you'd like to see in the new, next-generation, fully-accessible streetcars. They're in the midst of opening up discussions with light rail manufacturers, and are hoping to use input from the city in deciding on what kind of streetcars to purchase.
The new Web site allows visitors to comment on photos of the current streetcars as to what could be improved, as well as voting on the importance of new features, such as audio/visual announcement of stops (yes!), more seats (please!), and a wide aisles, among other things. Also, you can check out designs of transit systems from other cities, and vote on those that you think would work best here in TO.
You can also go see one of the new models at Finch Subway Station on June 25, Scarborough Centre RT Station on June 26, Albion Centre on the 27th and Yonge-Dundas Square on June 28. It's great to see that the TTC is actively soliciting public feedback on such an important issue, and there's no doubt that events like Transit Camp, held earlier this year, helped to pave the way for this.
Comments (18)
When asked to comment on how to improve LRV, I said:
"More of them! And some sort of scheduled break, or at least a more efficient schedule or policing of when drivers take breaks (this aplpies to buses as well). Nothing is more infuriating than standing at a streetcar stop for 30 minutes, for 4 or more streetcars to come down the street bumper to bumper, the first two crammed packed, the remaining almost empty. I am convinced that no attention is paid to schedules or when drivers take breaks. Certainly, this method CAN'T be planned. Can it? I don't want to believe that the TTC is fine with this sort of inefficiency and disregard for customer service, but one wonders..."
Discuss.
I also added that I wish the TTC had focus groups where they regularly consulted the public on how to improve, and welcomed the invitation to join such a group, and would email Adam G with this suggestion. I suggest you all do the same.
The first change I'd suggest? A better "My New Streetcar" website! With all that crazy flash animation I found it hard to keep my attention on the task at hand. When I switched to the "non-flash" version, there are NO PICTURES. WTF?
Also, the web site says" 2021." Is that when they plan to start this project? Or when they plan to have it completed?
Gary, I'm not sure. I'm going to speak with the TTC hopefully tomorrow to get some more info. I'm pretty sure that they're referring to the new tracks and extensions when they say 2021. The new cars will probably come sooner.
I agree about the Web site too. They seem to have a problem with their Web presence. When's the new ttc.ca coming along too? Hopefully I'll get more info on this tomorrow.
The manufacturers are submitting designs for the new streetcars this year.
Prototypes of the chosen model should be around by next year.
The first ones should be on the road in service in two years.
Hmm reading the report here: http://www.ttc.ca/postings/gso-comrpt/documents/report/f3224/_conv.htm
Looks like I was 18 months ahead of their schedule. I want them now ;(
I've been sending off wildcat letters to Moscoe and others for years now about streetcars, so the fact that Toronto and the TTC are finally taking off the blinders and getting serious is fanstastic. Off to the site to start commenting. (Some other time I'll rant about how US cities are kicking Toronto's ass when it comes to building light rail systems, how Toronto treats it's best transit asset like a bus, etc.)
Though there are clearly costs involved it would be great to have the finalists in any contract competition bring examples of their proposed new LRT cars here and putting them 'on the street. Ideally they would be put into service for a few weeks but that might be too difficult. However, even just to see and sit in "engine-less' examples would be good. Too often the TTC just orders a bunch of new vehicles and only after they arrive do users (and TTC staff) get a chance to point out their flaws. Putting examples in a prominent place (Nathan Phillips Square?) would also get the 'ordianry citizenry" excited about the whole process.
I love how pretentious people are with the TTC.
Everyone gets upset that the TTC doesn't involve young people enough and when they do you say "ohhh the flash site kerning is poor..BOO HOOO" Give me a break.
I suggested (among the more important items) rear "lounge" seats, bell horn, throwbacks to the PCCs, and for a modern iconic touch- LED headlights (think Audi R8) or at least Xenon.
I like the idea of the low-floor design where there's no steps involved. It's more friendly to elderly/disabled people, and generally I think feels more comfortable for everyone getting on.
OMG!
Are you people crazy?
You know how many people are dying and they dont even have 1 $.. and the ttc is spending thousands of dollars.. i find it ridiculous, we are fine with the streetcars we have. Dont ask for more you greedy people.
Natasha, how constructive is that argument, really? It can be made about anything and everything, and has been already. I can say the same thing about you and your computer.
Why don't you give up your $40-$50/month for Internet access (or if you're at work, why are you wasting time on blogTO when you could be donating to causes).
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for giving to needy causes, but that's seriously just a total troll of a post you just made.
Scratch "wasting your time" on blogTO, replace with "enriching your life". Ahhh, *sigh of relief* Don't kill me!
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