TTC defies its own staff report, votes in favour of closing King Street for TIFF
Posted July 30, 2015 3:37 pm.
Last Updated July 30, 2015 8:11 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) board brushed aside its own staff report on Wednesday night, voting in favour of a plan to close King Street for four days during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
The plan to close King Street from University Avenue to Peter Street between Sept. 10 and 13, has the backing of Mayor John Tory, despite his election vow to “get this city moving.”
Shortly after taking office, Tory released a six-point plan to ease congestion, which included a crackdown on the seemingly endless series of event road closures that plague motorists, notably marathons.
But when it comes to rolling out the red carpet for Hollywood heavyweights and film buffs, Tory’s hot to trot.
The mayor, and councillor Joe Cressy, penned a letter to TTC board members, pressing for the closure.
“We are pleased to write to the TTC board in support of (TIFF’s) request to close King Street … to create the pedestrian friendly hub known as “Festival Street,” the letter stated.
Their letter went on to argue that local businesses would benefit and the pedestrian-zone would “expand the attendance and success of the festival.”
The TTC board agreed, voting in favour of the closure despite its own staff report that warned of significant service disruptions on two of the city’s busiest streetcar routes — the 504 King and 501 Queen.
“TTC staff … do not support the requested closure of King Street … because of the significant negative effects it causes to the 504 King streetcar and other services,” staff recommended.
If city staff approves the closure, the 504 could be split (see below), a move that “would cause significant inconvenience to TTC customers,” but would be preferable to overloading the Queen line, the staff report notes.
Festival Street debuted last year and TTC CEO Andy Byford said it wasn’t worth the inconvenience to riders.
“We got slammed by our customers,” The Toronto Sun reported Byford as saying at Wednesday’s meeting.
Read the full staff report and Tory and Cressy’s letter below:
