Comments for Frank Scarpitti for Mayor

Comment on Extend the Yonge Subway by Raffi

Raffi — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 17:35:48 +0000

I’m glad this issue has been getting more attention recently. I’ve been asking for an extension like this for years, and in fact, this should have been priority #1 instead of the Spadina extension.

If implemented correctly, this will be great for both Markham/Richmond Hill and Toronto. As long as every other train turns back empty at Finch to help with capacity issues south of Eglinton, an extension to Hwy 7 will not hurt. Together with building the long-overdue DRL (Toronto issue, not Markham) the GTA can finally get up to speed in subway development in the areas that need it most. Enough of this anti-GTA “the TTC is only for residents south of Steeles” rhetoric that has been going around.

Go for it, and don’t be bothered by the critics. They’ll quiet down as soon as the project is finished and they realize how beneficial it will be for everyone.

PS: This extension will only work if the double-fare boundary at Steeles is abolished. No one wants to pay $12.50 for a round-trip fare every day to get to where they need to go if they’re going into Toronto. It’s one of the main reasons why people take their car instead of transit these days.

Comment on Extend the Yonge Subway by Vince

Vince — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 00:02:10 +0000

As a Toronto resident who visits friends in Markham frequently, the subway to Hwy 7 would be useful. However, what is really needed as well is better off peak service on all types of transit north of Steeles. Aside from the VIVA routes, you may have to wait up to 30 mins for a bus! Thats too long if we want people to leave their cars at home.

Comment on Diversity by Aaron Hamilton

Aaron Hamilton — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 03:56:31 +0000

I don’t think this is technically your responsibility as Mayor of Markham, but I really would like to see York Region resurrect the express lane project for Yonge Street that was put on hold when the province announced the new subway line a few years ago. There are many hundreds of York Region residents commuting by bus down the congested Yonge Street on a daily basis, myself included, to reach Finch subway. We desperately need RAPID transit so we can cut half an hour off our commute times.

Thanks!

Aaron H

Comment on Extend the Yonge Subway by Wallace Albrecht

Wallace Albrecht — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:23:33 +0000

Yes. We often enjoy the extensive subway network in Singapore when I go there to teach. It is clean and cost-efficient. Branches extent to the various communities in the city. I believe that at least some of the roaday traffic congestion would be alleviated if there were an extention to the Yonge line up to Highway 7. Eventually branch lines east and west such as the Shepherd line would be great too. We currently drive to Fairview Mall to take the subway into the city. It would be more convenient to do so if it came right up to Highway 7.

Wallace Albrecht

Comment on Extend the Yonge Subway by Emily

Emily — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:02:25 +0000

Extending the subway line is crucial. But let’s not forget that not all of us live near a subway line. We need better bus services too.

Comment on Diversity by Allex Raymundo

Allex Raymundo — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:28:29 +0000

I believe that for employees that are working in jobs of which a major component is dealing with the public, is that they must posses a certain level of English. My experiences in Markham since I’ve moved here have been a bit disappointing when it comes to this aspect. For example I encountered when simply ordering a hamburger from the Harvey’s in the Home Depot by First Markham Place. As well I encounter this when I am shopping at the various Asian grocery stores. When asking for something, it seems that they have frustration towards me for not speaking their language, despite them being in Canada. This in turn puts me off to shopping there in the future, which is not what I want to do because they do have the best prices.

Finally there are Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC) schools where English is taught for free for new permanent residents. I find that a lot of the time, the instructor in the classroom does not have total grasp of the English language. Also, the students in the class of who are of the same ethnic background as the instructor have a clear, unfair advantage as when they have a question, clarification is provided to them in the native tongue.

All in all, the above examples in my opinion cause me not to venture into establishments of a different ethnic group, and in truth causes me to have resentment.

Thanks.

Comment on Extend the Yonge Subway by Allex Raymundo

Allex Raymundo — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:12:20 +0000

I’m not sure how happy and how willing the City of Toronto would be in welcoming that extra traffic of people. If any of you have taken the Yonge subway in the morning during rush our, you will know that it is standing room for long portions of the ride and an extremely annoying experience. Now instead of the people at Finch station that will get seats, it will be people at the HWY7 stop. Also, I would suggest that zone fares be established for the subway, as is done for YRT.

Thanks.

Comment on Photos by Edgar Arabian

Edgar Arabian — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 18:45:26 +0000

Had a Great Chance to Meet the Mayor in front of my store (Ed’s Fine Imports) in Markville Mall.

Comment on Extend the Yonge Subway by Rie Shibazaki

Rie Shibazaki — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 18:41:32 +0000

I travel from Markham to downtown Toronto every weekday and currently it takes me 1.25 hours for a one way trip on bus and subway on a good day. It is quite a draining experience. Trains are already pretty crowded even at 7am. It is evident that many people do rely on public transit to get to and from work or school. I feel that the extension of the Yonge line to Hwy 7 is vital. I also think an East-West line in Markham and Vaughn (along Hwy 7, maybe?) would help commuters even more. In general, I feel that at present, the public transit system in the GTA is severely limited in comparison to other systems around the world like in London, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Beijing, Taipei, Paris, and Vienna. Our systems largely rely on buses which run on the same roads as the cars. It takes way too long to get to a subway or train station in the first place. I find it a waste if I could take the same roads on my own vehicle and get there faster. I think this is the one big issue that prevents many people from leaving their cars behind. I truly feel that an expansion of rail systems, be it above or underground, will help many people in Markham get to where they want to go faster, and vice versa for those that want to come to our community to study, work, or play. I think being highly accessible through a dense rail-oriented public transit network is the key to bringing more businesses and residents into Markham, and not solely concentrated in downtown Toronto. Markham is a great place, and it should be an easy place to get to from anywhere.

Comment on Extend the Yonge Subway by Darlene Macartney

Darlene Macartney — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 23:59:34 +0000

As we travel around the world it amazes me how far behind the GTA is with its public transportation & specifically its limited subway system. it is also seems much more expensive to use the TO subway system then in Europe or Hong Kong which covers a greater area. They are also so modern, beautiful and clean. Why can’t we have a comparable system. So yes I think it is very important. That being said, we have a GO Train that is very accessible. I cannot understand why there is limitations on this system and why this is not explored as an option until a subway is extended. I mean the GO Train is great for those wanting to leave early in the am and then home at supper but there is nothing mid day or later at night. Seems like this might be something to investigate.