TTC might expand underused Sheppard subway line

Toronto city council is meeting today and transit is on the table. As the Toronto Star reports, Mayor John Tory is expected to support Ward 39 Councillor Jim Karygiannis as he champions reexamining the possibility of extending the seemingly underused Sheppard subway line.

Why? In order for him to secure votes for the oft-discussed Scarborough subway line. Yes, for the umpteenth time, our city councillors will be talking about transit in Scarborough. And while some - like Mayor John Tory - want subways, subways, subways, others still think LRT would be the best option for the city.

City council scrapped the Sheppard subway extension back in 2012 - staffers determined that an eight-kilometre extension would be 90 per cent empty, even at rush hour.

Instead, they voted to create a 13-kilometre, 25-stop LRT line starting at Don Mills station and running eastward. However, as the Star writes, city planners have admitted that the future of this route is still uncertain.

Tomorrow, city council will debate these transit options. Though much of the conversation will likely be around Mayor Tory's one-stop Scarborough subway plan.

Photo by PLTam via the blogTO Flickr pool.