transit@eddrass.com

Ed Drass has been covering transportation issues in Toronto since 1998. He has a degree in urban studies from York University and regularly rides transit in the GTA and elsewhere. In addition to this column he writes a blog for metronews.ca and maintains a list of transit links at eddrass.com. Follow him on Twitter @eddrass.

Drivers hold key to transit’s future

July 12, 2010

The solution to the GTA’s transportation future is in the hands of car drivers — or rather, their pockets.

Transit comes full circle on St. Clair

July 05, 2010

The St. Clair streetcar right-of-way is open. At last, the 512 is running its full length between Yonge and Keele streets.

Toronto earns the 'world class' label

June 28, 2010

The rest of Canada may not like it, but Toronto could become a bit more smug now that the G20 is over.

Don’t worry, they’ll be gone soon

June 21, 2010

Toronto is going to be tested during the next week. The GTA will become increasingly difficult to move around and by the weekend our home will fall under the world’s attention.

Navigating Naples on public transit can be chaotic

June 14, 2010

In Naples, you make do. If your city happens to lie upon steep hills — and beside a dormant volcano — you just build around these minor obstacles.

The view of public transit from Venice

June 07, 2010

The weather in Venice, Italy has been warm and sunny. This island city also happens to be the world’s most beautiful urban environment. I must, of course, ignore such things since I am hard at work on your behalf, riding the transit system.

Patience will be a virtue this summer

May 31, 2010

Even without the G20 meeting in late June, this summer was already set to be very challenging for commuters.

Mississauga Transit has a long road to travel

May 17, 2010

Mississauga has finally stopped growing outwards, so it’s time to grow up. The city has built out to its boundaries with mostly low-density, car-dependent housing, and now the official strategy is to create a more transit-friendly environment, including a dense, highrise “downtown” near the Square One mall.

Patience will be a virtue for TTC riders this summer

May 17, 2010

Even without the G20 meeting in late June, this summer was already set to be very challenging for commuters. In addition to the high-security downtown summit, many parts of the GTA are going to be affected by road closures, construction delays and transit detours until winter comes.

Time to get the 'Big Move' moving

May 10, 2010

After decades of inaction, the GTA finally has a regional transit plan — and now some Toronto mayoral candidates want to change it up.

What the TTC union can tackle next

May 03, 2010

After holding three town halls for rider input, the TTC’s main union should have a pretty good idea of how customer service must improve. President Bob Kinnear says ATU local 113 will take a few months to work on key strategies, but he’s already indicated the union may push for greater funding to address underlying causes of overcrowding and unreliable service.

Brampton Transit is picking up speed

April 26, 2010

With the TTC under close scrutiny lately, I’ve asked 905 riders for impressions of other GTA transit systems.

Presto! Could this be fare payment's future?

April 19, 2010

Just as the province prepares to launch its “smart” fare card on GTA transit agencies next month, a brand new wave of technology could make it even easier to pay fares.

TTC riders get their chance to speak up

April 14, 2010

The upcoming “town halls” being held by the TTC’s main union represent a new twist in the oft-strained relationship between transit workers and the people who ride the system.

TTC sets about sprucing up subway stations

April 05, 2010

Most Toronto subway stations are more than 40 years old. Many look older thanks to cracked floors, damaged walls and holes in the ceiling.

Preventing gridlock is a priority now

March 29, 2010

Will traffic congestion wait until the pro­vince pares down its deficit? Ontario’s budget woes are serious but the Liberal government’s decision to cut transit expansion last week pretends that gridlock is no real threat to the GTA.

TTC supervisors will be taking it to the streets

March 22, 2010

Growing traffic congestion in Toronto is making it harder to keep buses and streetcars evenly spaced.

Adjusting service at GO and TTC

March 15, 2010

GTA transit riders, avoid surprises and check your bus and train schedules over the next few weeks.

Who should watch over the TTC?

March 08, 2010

The Toronto Transit Commission will continue to be overseen by city councillors, at least until this fall’s municipal election. By January 2011 — around the time we should expect a fare hike — some of the TTC’s board of directors are likely to be citizen appointees.

Transit complaints not just for TTC — how are GTA riders faring?

March 02, 2010

Now that the TTC is finally waking up to deep dissatisfaction among its riders, what’s happening in the rest of the GTA? Are other transit agencies any more attuned to the morale of their ­passengers?

Torontonians should brace themselves for construction woes

February 22, 2010

After decades without adequate transit expansion, it’s time to pay. The cost is not only monetary but comes as construction-related dust, noise and delays — particularly in the city of Toronto.

Can TTC glean tips from GO?

February 15, 2010

In early 2008 many GO Transit riders became upset with winter delays, poor communication and an impending fare hike. Almost two years before the current TTC passenger revolt, GO’s “perfect storm” was focused in a petition of 10,000 virtual signatures.

A simple way to speed up the Spadina streetcar

February 08, 2010

After the subway network, the 510 Spadina streetcar route is one of the TTC’s most important corridors.

Long transition lies ahead for TTC

February 01, 2010

We all have suggestions on how the TTC can improve the service it provides to passengers. By looking at the list of customer-oriented initiatives the agency unveiled last week, it seems somebody over there already knew what had to happen.

After significant hike, TTC riders expect much more

January 25, 2010

When the TTC announced it would set up a special panel to examine the quality of customer service at the transit authority, my reaction was, “At last!” followed by, “Let’s not get our hopes up.” Massive, decades-old institutions do not change easily.

Why the TTC sometimes turns up the heat on passengers

January 18, 2010

Thermostats aboard buses, streetcars and subways are set to keep temperatures within a reasonably comfortable range and account for the fact that doors open regularly.

Spreading gridlock affecting GTA transit users

January 11, 2010

It’s hard to notice if your commute is taking longer every day due to traffic congestion because the change is so gradual. Then along comes a study that highlights how dramatic the delays have become.

TTC users should start preparing for the next fare hike

January 04, 2010

As of yesterday, fares increased by more than 10 per cent for most TTC users.

We're in need of an old-school reminder to 'be nice, clear your ice'

December 28, 2009

Big snowstorms have been bypassing Toronto and hitting regions to the north and south — but get the shovels ready.

Expect the holiday rush to crowd the TTC, as well

December 21, 2009

The economy may be weak but that won’t stop GTA residents from flocking to streets and malls in the hunt for bargains and last-minute gifts. Consider this your reminder to expect crowded buses, streetcars and trains.