Trams are Great so why are Toronto Streetcars so Terrible!? (with RM Transit)
Sep 20, 2024
auto_awesome
RM Transit, a transportation and urban design expert, dives into the shortcomings of Toronto's streetcar system compared to efficient tram systems in cities like Amsterdam. They discuss nostalgic changes, accessibility woes, and operational inefficiencies that plague Toronto's transit. The conversation highlights safety concerns at traffic signals and the frustrating impact of car culture on public transit. Ultimately, RM Transit advocates for significant upgrades to improve the rider experience and reduce reliance on cars.
Toronto's streetcars suffer from excessive stop spacing, hindering speed and prolonging travel times, necessitating stop consolidation for better service.
The integration of streetcars in mixed traffic leads to delays, highlighting the need for dedicated tram lanes to enhance operational efficiency.
Current traffic signaling in Toronto lacks transit signal prioritization, resulting in unnecessary stops for streetcars that could be streamlined for better reliability.
Deep dives
Comparative Streetcar Experiences
Trams are recognized as one of the best forms of public transit for urban settings, particularly in cities like Amsterdam, which provide a more efficient experience than those in North America like Toronto. The speakers express their admiration for modern trams in Europe, particularly the cleanliness and accessibility of low-floor trams, which allow for easier boarding. Conversely, the streetcars in Toronto are criticized for their inefficiencies and poor service, as measures like delayed vehicle deliveries and mixed traffic conditions significantly hamper their performance. This comparison emphasizes the need for North American cities to learn from their European counterparts to enhance and modernize their streetcar systems.
Issues with Toronto's Streetcar Stops
A significant factor contributing to the slowness of Toronto's streetcars is the overly frequent stop spacing, generally around 200 meters apart. This close stop proximity often prevents streetcars from gaining speed and contributes to longer overall travel times, emphasizing the need to consolidate stops for improved service. Moreover, many stops lack proper facilities such as canopies and ticket machines, causing discomfort for waiting passengers, particularly in inclement weather. The minimal effort to enhance stop infrastructure and passenger experience indicates systemic issues within Toronto's public transit management.
Traffic Blockages Impeding Service
The integration of streetcars within mixed traffic is another significant aspect leading to operational delays for Toronto's transit system. Oftentimes, streetcars get stuck behind vehicles making left turns or other unexpected disruptions, resulting in a frustrating experience for passengers. This situation is exacerbated by a lack of designated pathways for streetcars, which leads to inefficient service where human-driven traffic takes precedence over public transit. The necessity for dedicated tram lanes and traffic system redesigns that prioritize streetcars is evident for improving bottlenecks in transportation.
The Need for Transit Signal Prioritization
Current traffic signaling in Toronto severely limits the efficiency of streetcar movement, often requiring them to stop at red lights without any priority. Unlike European tram systems, which integrate transit signal prioritization allowing trams to move seamlessly through intersections, Toronto’s signaling systems favor vehicular traffic. This results in unnecessary delays, as streetcars frequently stop at intersections even when no conflicting traffic is present. Implementing a comprehensive redesign focused on transit signal prioritization could significantly improve the speed and reliability of Toronto's streetcar service.
Enhancing Public Transit Awareness and Design
The discussion highlights a pressing need for public awareness regarding what constitutes a good tram experience and the crucial design elements that contribute to efficient transit systems. The limited understanding among Toronto residents of effective public transit is a barrier in demanding improvements from decision-makers. Examples from successful cities around the world illustrate how enhancing design, infrastructure, and community awareness can revolutionize public transit service in Toronto. Ultimately, creativity and an understanding of effective urban transit can lead to better streetcar systems that cater to the needs of the population, significantly reducing reliance on personal vehicles.
Trams are great. They create and enable some of the best urbanism around. And yet the streetcars in Toronto are slow and unreliable and painful to take. What is Toronto doing wrong, and what could other "streetcar" cities learn from their mistakes?
Directly support the production of this podcast, and listen to every episode ad-free and sponsor-free, by subscribing to Nebula: https://nebula.tv/agenda
