Spring is with
us now, so start thinking about detours and road construction. If
you’d rather not be surprised by missing streetcars or temporary bus
replacements, take a moment to read the Transit Alerts at
www.transit.toronto.on.ca.
Valerie Murray
has been very concerned about the closure of the Carlton streetcar
in the east end of Toronto. She believes many do not realize what is
in store. Service will divert to Kingston Rd. starting April 3 for
about two months as tracks are rebuilt.
She writes, the
“TTC is commencing rail work on the 506 Carlton streetcar line
running along Upper Gerrard between Coxwell and Main Street. It
seems that they are not providing any alternative transportation for
the many thousands who use this streetcar several times a day, but
are expecting passengers to walk out to Coxwell or Woodbine for
buses to the subway.
”How do seniors
walk this far? I use a cane and there is no way I can walk to
Woodbine for a bus, it would take too long and I'd be lame by the
time I got there!
“My sister and
I cannot even walk our mother to our car for doctor appointments or
bring the car to the house to get her, our mom's nurse will not be
able to come and do her weekly bloodwork ... and just how do I get
to work?”
It is
approximately one kilometer between the nearest main streets, on
which bus service will be increased. TTC commissioner and local city
councillor Sandra Bussin says one westbound lane will remain
available, but it’s not safe to run buses in the narrow space.
Apparently the smaller Wheel-Trans type bus is also too wide. A
public meeting was held last week to hear from people who will have
difficulty accessing their homes or businesses -- especially those
living on the south side of the street.
The TTC sent an
email to Ms. Murray indicating that if anyone had special needs, a
temporary ramp could be extended to one’s driveway with a day’s
notice. Bussin says, “Since then, and at that meeting last week, I
said any residents who have any
problems getting
in and out, please come forward and we’ll deal with each and every
person.” The councillor asks residents to call her office at
416-392-1376.
Bussin reports
that Ms. Murray did not come forward at the meeting to speak with
her directly. She says, “I had one elderly man, who is 83... and
we’re just in the process of working up his plans to get him to his
doctor’s appointments -- whether it’s Wheel-Trans, or we’ll pay for
his transport one way or the other.
“I think
overall people are understanding, and very reasonable. Small
business along there will obviously be impacted by the inability of
customers get to to their site or get some of their supplies in.
There (aren’t even) back lanes to get in there -- we’re dealing with
an old part of the city where coming and going isn’t easy.”
I hope everyone
keeps their lines of communication open through this dusty,
inconvenient but necessary process.