Re: Bring ‘relief' to Yonge line, Editorial March 7

Bring ‘relief' to Yonge line, Editorial March 7

Here’s a solution to the overcrowding on the Yonge St. line:

Extend the Sheppard subway line west from its current subway terminal at Yonge. For now, build two stations only, one at Bathurst and the other at Dufferin. This new Dufferin terminal, like the Yonge station, is an indoor transfer point, this one being to the Spadina subway.

Now the morning commuters, and there must be tens of thousands in potential ridership along the Sheppard regional corrider between Yonge Station and the proposed Dufferin Station, would choose the least crowded one to get downtown.

After a very short trial, ridership would naturally draw from the more crowded Yonge subway to the less crowded Spadina subway, alleviating the imbalance of passengers for now. Also, one would be able to get from eastern corridors along Sheppard to York Region Highway 7 for work and shopping very quickly, on one fare, and without having to contend with the months of cold weather as commuters have to do when using surface transit.

Ultimately, a straight as an arrow Bathurst Street Subway, with an express track stopping at a few Bathurst subway stations and a local track stopping at all Bathurst subway stations running in each direction, so four tracks in total, would be built.

I do agree that the number of stations needs to be kept to a minimum. Such is how it’s been done in New York City for 100 years. So enough of trolleys on the surface, especially in the cold months.

There. Now, the north-south public transportation problems are solved.

Keep the surface clear for cars and get moving.

M. Teitelbaum, Richmond Hill