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Ever wondered why your city’s transit just doesn’t seem quite up to snuff? RMTransit is here to answer that, and help you open your eyes to all of the different public transportation systems around the world!
Reece (the RM in RMTransit) is an urbanist and public transport critic residing in Toronto, Canada, with the goal of helping the world become more connected through metros, trams, buses, high-speed trains, and all other transport modes.
37 Comments
The streetcar/public roadway weave off of Bathurst that leads to cars on the streetcar track that you identified is a problem. My bigger problem with Queens Quay is trying to cross it south to north as a pedestrian. There are no places to stand and wait for the light to change. The most natural spot is usually that narrow strip between the bike path and the streetcar. The pedestrian signals are also weirdly slow because of the streetcar signals. So, generally in the summer, you'll find a large group of pedestrians clustered onto a narrow strip trying to not get hit by a bike or streetcar. There are homes, businesses and the rest of the city on the north side of Queens Quay. It shouldn't be so hard to get there.
A great example of a great waterfront with great transit layering is Circular Quay in Sydney, Australia served by various Bus, Train, Light Rail, Ferry, Cruise Ship, and Ocean Liner services; along with a highly walk-able and bike-able waterfront. The NSW Government is currently investing in improving the Circular Quay waterfront with a big urban renewal and streetscape improvement project.
Forget waterfront. More highways – Toronto politicians
I liked how you demonstrated that streetcar tracks can end up being blocked by cars if the pavement looks too similar. Grass or other ground cover would be way less confusing and prettier too!
My first evening in Toronto (way back in 2007), I walked down to the waterfront (end of York Street, then over to the “start” of Yonge Street) and it wasn’t until I heard, and then saw the old high floor streetcars that I remembered “Oh yeah, there’s s streetcar line here.” I did end up using it a few times to get back up to Union Station since it wasn’t too far from my hotel (the Strathcona on York.) This was so long ago they were using the tiny tokens (still have one) and paper transfers.
One non-transit issue related to the waterfront not mentioned is the number of condos that are present and continuing to be built along the shoreline. Not only does this obstruct the view of the water when looking southward, but it has the effect of warming the city by preventing the natural wind that comes in from Lake Ontario reaching further inland. Going down to the waterfront is great on a summer day because it's so windy – if only the buildings didn't prevent that same benefit from reaching further north.
Why purchase new ferries when you could just serve the island via gondola and people wouldn't have to wait anymore.
To avoid pedestrians walking on the cycle path there should be a curb separating the two. Like this:
–Pedestrians —_cyclists___/—___cars_
RIP Barangaroo
Wait…did you say driver's drive into tunnels by mistake, realize they messed up and runs away… blocking trams?😄😅🤣
OMG! Reese! Right there at 6:04 ! You have one of the former Halifax Harbor ferries there
in TO! The blue and white boat there on the left! That one was built in the 1970s and was sold off because it and the other one that age were forty years old. The HRM has six new boats now.
509 is my favourite streetcar route. Efficient, useful, beautiful view and most of the time reliable. I live in Fort York, this single route easily makes me to choose public transit to get around downtown even though I have a car
i'm sure this has been discussed before, but the idea of transit layering really reminds me of the vessels in our bodies. arteries, veins, and capillaries are all representations of heavy, medium, and light rail
Your brief mention of ferries in this video was fascinating and yet a little frustrating. You clearly don't overly like the Toroto Island ferries, but don't really say why. Is there room for a dedicated video here?.
Great video presentation! (-: Any idea of transit projects for the easternmost portions of Toronto’s Waterfront? It looks like the long-awaited Ontario Line will finally come to fruition, so I imagine it will be one of many valuable contributions to the Eastern Waterfront.
I look forward to your next Waterfront video. (-:
You really hit on the sore points before getting to transit. Street planners always put sidewalks in to avoid vehicles intruding on pedestrian space. Many people don't see bicycles as vehicles and many people on bicycles sometimes see themselves as pedestrians.
It's really interesting how you're yet to make a video on China, given it has the lenghtiest metro network in the world(combining the 48 of them).
Do you plan on making a video on Shanghai, Beijin or Guanzhou?
Yeah Long Branch GO station! And Park Lawn GO station, still in design stage. I've not seen a completion date estimated yet. And of course what Toronto really needs to seamlessly integrate the GO and TTC networks together is fare free intermodal transfers.
I really miss living in TO!!
I’d be very interested in seeing a video about the Gardiner Expressway and the proposals to reconfigure it for transit oriented development
That was great Reece, thanks
I've worked at Billy Bishop for over 13 years. Transit between the airport and Union can be fine during the morning or early afternoon, but evening can be a nightmare: the shuttle will get stuck in traffic from too many downtown events (along with too much density and no infrastructure to support it) and has often just given up and returned to the Island or Royal York. With the CNE or other events this past Summer, the 509 is just one packed streetcar after another and not sure why they bothered stopping at any of the designated stops at all. Union Station then becomes overcrowded and a safety issue. Fall to Spring and no events it's fine, but the TTC and GO need to find a better way move the point to point travelers (CNE to Union for example), and not screw over those just trying to get home after work. I have the 501 to contend with (and the 501 stare), it would be nice not having to do that for my whole route.
Could you do a video on torontos plans for the east of Yonge sections of lakeshore? Maybe how it will connect to the new portlands develpments? Ive always felt it was very divided from the western sections
People who run/jog in the bike lanes in Toronto… how fast do you think you are? I suggest you are not as fast as you think you are.
When I lived in Toronto, I used to love running / biking on Queen's Quay, a very nice urban area for such activities, but driving there was always a nightmare as far as I can remember… In my opinion they should just leave streetcars there and make it all pedestrian otherwise, although it's me speaking emotionally about that part of the city, I do realize that it's not that simple… It is one of the best parts of the city though, for sure…
Toronto’s waterfront is lovely! The three-stage crossing across Lakeshore Blvd. under the Gardiner Expressway to get there is less than lovely!
150m ferry 🤣
The waterfront trail is the only place I feel 100% safe biking in the city
Thanks again John In Chicago
can you make a video on marta, Atlantas metro system?
Turronno
I have a question, you don't have to create a video on it, you can just respond here. What are the 10 best metro systems for you and why?
My town could have an amazing waterfront area. We have the old historic train station right by the water (thats now used as a bus station since the last passenger train left the station in 1978), we have a massive entertainment centre across the road from the train station, the main bar and nightlife district is a 3 minute walk from the train station and is lined with old 19th century brick buildings that face the water. We have accommodation across the road from the train station and my town's climate is very mild, usually daytime temperatures are between 15-25 degrees celsius, making it pretty nice to walk around in year round.
My town has all the components that make up a great waterfront area. So what did the oldheads in charge do? They built a massive 5-lane road right along the coast. Genius
vid on indonesian when
Vienna danube Island esay Metor station and then Bicke everywhere else.
Chicago actually does pretty well, at least the train lines. Mist problems seem to be related to individual equipment problems, switching points or passengers. The busses get cut though when ridership gets low and that seems to be a weakness Thanks for all you do.
Seattle tore out their waterfront streetcar, discontinued the replacement bus route, replaced the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a car-centric tunnel that can't financially sustain itself, and they're planning on building an 8 lane wide boulevard. San Pedro also tore out their waterfront streetcar as well.