This is my last blog post of 2011, and I’m going to finish off the year with an inspiring Good News story. I just heard about the ‘Art Train’ project last week, and I think it’s such an amazing example of what is possible in Toronto when creative minds come together.

Remember the Art Bike project last summer? A couple of artists from OCAD painted an abandoned bicycle hot pink, and then stirred up a storm of controversy when the City asked them to remove the bike.

Two weeks later, City Council voted in favour of supporting the artists and allowing them to install seventy neon ‘art bikes’ all across Toronto.

Now, inspired by the success of the Art Bike project, the TTC has announced the Art Train project. The idea is simple: abandoned LRT trains will be placed across the City, painted in bright neon colours. The sites will be located along the cancelled routes of Transit City.

A spokesperson from the TTC explains: “the idea is to use the coloured trains to identify sites in the city that promote the ethos of regeneration and creativity and community”.

For those who’ve been complaining for years that the TTC has no sense of creativity, here is the answer to your prayers. Let’s all hope for a creative and innovative year in 2012! The Art Train project is a good sign of what lies ahead for Toronto.