One of the main reasons GRIDLOCK is so common in Toronto is because many of our traffic lights do NOT reflect the actual traffic flow. For example, northbound-southbound traffic on one street, may be very heavy, yet the traffic lights give equal time to both directions, causing traffic back ups.

Ideally, the best way to reduce GRIDLOCK is to have excellent public transit so that motorists have a viable alternative. Unfortunately, the TTC is simply too slow and inefficient, and few motorists are willing to part with their cars because of   the current level of transit service. Therefore, dramatically improving transit is my highest priority.

Another major cause of GRIDLOCK, stems from the fact that traffic lights in this city are not synchronized. For example, drivers will often stop at consecutive red lights. If our traffic light system was better managed, drivers would not have to stop at every other intersection, and the traffic flow would move much more smoothly.

Other technology (which this city rarely uses) is available and in use in other cities around the world. For example, minor intersections could be equipped with sensors that only permit  traffic lights to  change if the sensors detect vehicles waiting in the perpendicular direction. Otherwise, the lights remain green. Currently, traffic lights are pre-programmed to turn red, even if there is no traffic in the other directions. This is not only time consuming and  frustrating  for drivers, but also contributes to pollution..

Solving GRIDLOCK at intersections where adjusting the traffic lights does not solve the problem (such as intersections with heavy traffic in all directions) is also possible. However, more dramatic measures need to be taken. The solution could be to tunnel underneath the intersection (creating an UNDERPASS) that would allow for a constant flow of traffic. Whether you drive a car or use public transit, is in all of our collective interest to address GRIDLOCK. Voting for Robert Freedland will give you a voice, and ensure that this issue is vigorously addressed and put on this city’s agenda.

Over the past 10 years, I have been a public transit advocate, meeting with TTC transit commissioners, and city councillors. Some of my ideas were implemented.  For example, the police officer that directs traffic outside of Finch Station, is a direct result of my transit improvement lobbying.

Unfortunately, the truth about public transit in Toronto is not often told. TTC Chair Howard Moscoe and Mayor David Miller have successfully convinced the general public, members of the media as well as those funding public transit (ie the Provincial Government), that public transit’s woes are all the result of under funding.   

However, the real cause of public transit’s plummeting ridership and customer dissatisfaction is due solely to the fact that TTC continue to ignore the fundamental requirements of great transit. A great transit system requires  that it be FAST, RELIABLE, (provide a reasonable level of) COMFORT, at a fair PRICE.
Most importantly, transit must be FAST.  With the exception of the subway system,  Toronto transit  is torturously slow and inefficient. Amazingly, despite the fact that the TTC are well aware that slow service is the main reason many commuters do not use public transit, and that slow service is the largest contributing factor to plummeting ridership, they have exacerbated the problem, by expanding their use of Streetcars, which are notoriously slow and unreliable.

Secondly, transit must be RELIABLE. Often, riders will wait 10 to 20 minutes for a bus or streetcar, only to have an overcrowded bus/streetcar arrive, followed by 2 or 3 empty buses/streetcars behind it.  .

The lack of COMFORT on TTC vehicles  is also a  sore point with riders, and another example of  the TTC  ignoring its  rider’s needs. None of the streetcars, and many of the buses are without air conditioning, and passengers often ride on vehicles with malfunctioning windows, or no open windows at all. As well, the seats and isles of vehicles are poorly designed and laid out. (One would think after being in business for some 75 years, the TTC would have mastered the layout and design of transit vehicles).
 
Fourthly, the issue of Ticket/Fare PRICE  is of great importance to many of its riders, many of whom are students, seniors, new immigrants, and the working poor. The TTC has recently chosen to raise its fares, instead of trimming management and saving money through operational  efficiency.

Sadly, it is the bus (and streetcar) drivers who bare the brunt of rider frustration and anger. It is they, who continue to endure the abuse of irate riders, outraged by a grossly mismanaged and dysfunctional transit system.

What most TTC riders also do not know, is that NOT ONE  of the TTC commissioners, including TTC Chair Howard Moscoe and former General  Manager Rick Duscharme regularly ride the buses or streetcars. In fact, TTC Chair Howard Moscoe, publicly admits, that he Never uses public transit at all. Despite this, and despite the fact that the TTC has lost more than 30% of its ridership over the past 20 years, Mayor Miller calls Howard Moscoe “The best public transit advocate this city has  ever had”. (Note: The TTC has about 30 million fewer annual riders now, then it did in 1986, even though the population of Toronto has grown by more than 50% during this period).

Over the past 10 years, I have aggressively been advocating for the widespread use of Priority Lighting. Priority Lighting provides bus/streetcar drivers with  the ability to hold traffic lights green, enabling  buses/streetcars to drive quickly  without having to stop frequently at red lights. Unfortunately, Not One  of the city councillors ride the buses or streetcars on a regular basis, and simply do not understand the cost benefits of this technology, (which is already in use in many other major North American and European cities).

Currently, the city of Toronto is committed to spending $100 million dollars building a streetcar right of way. This very controversial project is expected to enable streetcars to complete their scheduled route 11 minutes faster than is currently possible. The city of Toronto is prepared to spend (a minimum of) $100 million dollars  of your money, to shave off a mere “11 minutes” from their running time. This is according to current TTC chair Howard Moscoe,  whom wholeheartedly supports this costly project, (despite the strenuous objections of local residents).
 
I would suggest that the TTC simply install priority lighting, which would cost about $1 million dollars, and accomplish more or less the same objective, and make the streetcar run much faster. This, would save the city some $99 million dollars. (Assuming that this massive project is completed on budget.) The $99 million dollars saved from cancelling the proposed St. Clair ‘Right of Way’ Project, could be used to initiate a rapid/express bus service throughout this city. It would be similar to the very successful and popular VIVA Rapid Transit system in York Region, which has seen public transit ridership increase by an astounding 30%.
   
STOP THE INSANITY of wasteful and misguided projects like the botched ($1 billion dollar) Sheppard Subway( which few people are using).  Vote Robert Freedland for City Council.

Two of the most important (interrelated) issues facing Torontonians are Gridlock, and Public Transit. These issues effect everyone in this city because too much of our precious time is wasted commuting, thereby impacting our quality of life and ability to earn a living . Most importantly, our health is negatively affected by the pollution generated by the tremendous number of vehicles stuck in traffic.

Transit advocate Robert Freedland runs for City Council.