TORONTO

Olivia Chow vowed Friday to derail the “Ford-Tory subway” and build the Scarborough LRT.

Speaking at Sheppard Ave. E. and Progress Ave. — what would have been the last stop for the Scarborough LRT — Chow repeated her promise to stop the Scarborough subway extension if she’s elected mayor.

Council voted last year to scrap the LRT project and instead replace an extension of the Bloor-Danforth subway line.

Both John Tory and Mayor Rob Ford have committed to completing that subway project that both the federal and provincial governments have publicly committed to funding. It is expected that Doug Ford, who is now running for mayor instead of Rob Ford, will also be committed to the subway line.

But Chow argued the LRT would cost $1.7 billion less, stretch 2.9 km longer and could be built faster.

“I totally believe that Mr. Tory, Mr. Ford are leaving people behind,” Chow said. “To ask people in Scarborough to wait another 12 years before you see any actual improvement of public transit is not good enough.

“The light rail, the LRTs in Scarborough is seven stops, it’s better service, it’s faster, it’s cheaper and it is better.”

Asked whether she was concerned her support for the LRT was costing her votes in Scarborough, Chow maintained the latest poll shows she is gaining voters.

“I’m seeing the momentum on the street,” Chow said. “I have momentum on my side.

“A lot of what Mr. Ford and others have been saying (about light rail) is not true.”

Chow said the Scarborough LRT would ensure “no one will be left behind.”

“I am here today to tell you that the light rail is a better solution,” she said.

In response to Chow’s criticism, Tory maintained his SmartTrack plan would provide “city-wide transit relief” in seven years.

“Ms. Chow’s plan gives us relief maybe on the Yonge St. subway in 17 years,” Tory said.

“It is interesting to me she’ll talk about my transit plan indefinitely and not answer basic questions on her own.”

—Files from Veronica Henri