The number of
commuters who drive to GO and TTC stations is so high that many
parking lots are full before 8 a.m. Those arriving late have a tough
choice -- risk parking illegally or continue downtown by car.
Readers have sent me a rash of complaints about parking; including
traffic delays getting into and leaving stations, automobile theft
and enforcement of parking bylaws.
Some complain
GO Transit is too zealous in ticketing or towing cars; others say GO
is too tolerant. One reader sent photos of cars filling every
available piece of asphalt at the Richmond Hill GO train stop. With
vehicles squeezing past others, it’s no wonder dents and scratches
are another symptom of the widespread parking shortage.
The prognosis
is not much better than the last time I wrote on the topic. GO
Transit is gradually adding parking spots, but as on its overcrowded
trains, demand is outstripping supply. GO reports that over 1,000
spaces were added during the 2006/07 fiscal year, bringing the total
to more than 47,500 across the network. Finding a station with spare
room is tough, and not just for GO riders.
Senior TTC
manager Vince Rodo, who himself regularly encounters full subway
lots before finding space further down the line, says the system’s
parking facilities reach 97% capacity on workdays. The TTC offers
about 14,000 spaces requiring a Metropass to enter or a payment of
two to six dollars per day.
A Metro reader
wrote me about traffic line-ups leading to the parking lots at Finch
subway station. Rodo reports that over the next year or so, new
two-way lanes will be installed at entry gates across the system to
allow cars through faster.
As for future
capacity, he says the TTC is studying its parking strategy, but
acknowledges both his transit agency and GO face similar obstacles:
Find scarce land to expand surface lots, or build parking decks.
“Both those options are expensive,” he says.
University of
Toronto transport expert Prof. Baher Abdulhai suggests that one way
to increase parking capacity is to promote commercial office
development at rail stations, and in exchange require builders to
provide spaces for transit commuters.
As for
near-term solutions, most drivers have an idea of the alternate ways
to get to the train -- bus, carpool, etc. However it may be worth
exploring the GO and TTC websites again. Consider checking with the
agencies to see which lots have lower demand.
While you’re at
it, take the time to look up tips against car theft -- some options
may be pricey but could reduce some of the stress of parking.