TORONTO

The transit war between subways and LRT (light rail transit) vehicles isn’t over.

A recent poll revealed a statistical tie in support for the LRT option to replace the decrepit Scarborough RT, and the subway option.

I hope enough time has elapsed after the municipal and provincial elections that it will not seem churlish or partisan for an ardent subway advocate to sheepishly admit to supporting the LRT option in Scarborough.

I do so for several reasons.

First, the agreement for it is still in force.

Second, the funding is already committed.

Third, the sunk costs are significant, estimated at $85 million. That would be better used to help fund SmartTrack or other transit needs rather than going into more debt for the subway.

Fourth, the passengers are already accustomed to making a transfer. Now they would transfer to a modern LRT. No change in routine is needed.

Fifth, most important for subway supporters, this is a grade-separated LRT — meaning no existing road space is compromised.

While subway purists will cringe, Toronto needs to move past this bottleneck in the transit debate.

This compromise is the only exception in my otherwise strong advocacy for subways, or grade-separated “surface subways” like GO trains, whether diesel or electrified.

This is the only way to plan for the exigencies of a major metropolitan area like the GTA.

We need to move forward with policies that will efficiently connect people to work and school from home.

We need to do so even if it means taking unpopular, short-term stands.

Land use and transit planning projections are among the least precise sciences. They are largely professional guesswork.

Honest engineers admit to the shortcomings of these projections.

The necessity to build in what engineers and computer geeks call “essential redundancy” is critical.

What that means is that when one route is blocked, whether intentionally for necessary maintenance or unintentionally due to a breakdown or emergency, there is an alternative route that can be used.

We already have that redundancy on our roads and highways. Why not for mass transit?

This is essential for people who have no alternative other than public transit.

They are dependent on it to get around the city in the fastest, safest and most efficient and convenient way possible.

But they are being ignored and punished while politicians of all political stripes engage in rhetorical wars.

Subways and “surface subways” fill that need better than any other transportation mode.

The Sheppard subway might not have been the wisest decision when it was made, but it should not be left to languish now simply to score political points at the expense of beleaguered transit riders.

Why are left-wing politicians so averse to helping the working-class people they claim to represent?

In view of the options being considered for the subway extension of the Bloor/Danforth line, the Sheppard extension looks sensible — especially if the Scarborough Town Centre is the important hub.

The consultation that is being undertaken is a major distraction and a colossal waste of staff resources, not to mention funds!

The Sheppard subway should be extended in both directions to complete the connection from Etobicoke to Scarborough, providing the needed essential redundancy for the long term.

Why? Because, it’s the right thing to do.

— Chong is a former Toronto councillor, GO Transit chair & TTC vice-chair.