Editorial
TTC Board Meeting Highlights (January 2016)
TTC Board Meeting Highlights January 21, 2016
TYSSE schedule and budget update
The TTC Board received a presentation from CEO Andy Byford on the construction status of the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension (now 80 per cent complete) and progress achieved since bringing on Bechtel Canada Co. to manage the Reset of the Project, including the ongoing contractor claims process. Board members also approved the following report recommendations:
- In accordance with the current funding commitments, City of Toronto and The Regional Municipality of York be requested to confirm funding of the increase in project costs of up to $400 million (exclusive of HST). The additional $400 million of funding equates to $240 million to the City of Toronto and $160 million to The Regional Municipality of York.
- That the TYSSE budget as required to complete the project by Dec. 31, 2017 be increased to $3.184 billion.
The report was forwarded to the City of Toronto and The Regional Municipality of York.
New Express buses approved starting in March
Board members approved the introduction of five new Express bus routes that will run on Don Mills Road, Finch Avenue West, Kipling Avenue, Victoria Park Avenue and Wilson Avenue starting on March 27.
Funding for the new and enhanced Express routes (24E Victoria Park Rocket, 185 Don Mills Rocket, 186 Wilson Rocket, 188 Kipling South Rocket and the 199 Finch Rocket (B and C branches) was approved in 2015 as part of the unprecedented investment in TTC service.
The net operating cost of implementing these new services is $3.4 million annually, and is expected to attract 400,000 new customers.
TTC staff to study microtransit
Board members supported a motion moved by Commissioner Denzil Minnan-Wong to request a staff report on microtransit. The report is due Q2 2016.
Upcoming Board meetings
The next scheduled regular TTC Board meeting will be on Thurs., Feb. 25 at Toronto City Hall. The meeting will be live-streamed on the TTC’s YouTube channel, youtube.com/officialttcchannel.