Raise the Hammer

In the tug-of-war for control of the Eglinton, Sheppard and Finch LRT, the TTC appears to have stared down a Metrolinx plan to privatize the lines.

Two weeks ago, Metrolinx, Ontario’s transportation agency, announced that it was handing operational control of the new lines to a private bidder, arguing that it would shield taxpayers from delays and cost overruns.

“If the project is late, the private sector pays. If project is over budget, the private sector pays,” read a Sept. 20 Metrolinx statement, adding that the privately-operated line would be “fully integrated” with the existing TTC fare structure.

Responding to the proposal as a surprise power grab, TTC chair Karen Stintz threatened to withdraw funding of the lines while Councillor Joe Mihevc readied a motion calling on city council to overturn the Metrolinx decision.

The Metrolinx plan “would balkanize public transit delivery, leading to possible different service standards, a different security system, contorted responses for when the system goes down,” it read.

“Indeed, the original motivation of government in forming the [TTC] in 1921 was to better plan, coordinate and operate the disparate private-sector operators that had been running transit,” added the motion.

Then, on Tuesday, Councillor Mihevc voluntarily withdrew the motion, fuelling speculation that Metrolinx had backed down.

Both Ms. Stintz and Mr. Mihevc had nothing to say on the matter Tuesday night, but on Wednesday morning, the heads of both Metrolinx and the TTC are appearing at TTC headquarters to make an “important announcement about public transit in Toronto.”

Private sub-contracting of a Canadian light-rail transit line is not new. Vancouver’s Canada Line is operated by privately owned ProTrans BC, yet links smoothly with the city’s other, provincially operated, SkyTrain lines.


http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/10/03/torontos-new-lrts-likely-wont-be-privatized/