TORONTO – A group known as the TTCriders say they are doing what John Tory won’t – prioritizing bus lanes in Toronto’s busiest streets. Early Wednesday morning, the group painted a bus lane on Dufferin Street in just 20 minutes. The activists say they are calling out the city’s lack of action to improve the transit system.
“It took a handful of volunteers 20 minutes to do what John Tory hasn’t been able to accomplish in eight years,” said Vincent Puhakka, a member of the group.
“Surely Toronto’s Mayor and City Council can move faster to prioritize buses and streetcars, not just here on Dufferin, but across the city.”
TTCriders say that the point of the stunt is to put pressure on mayoral and city council candidates to install more bus and streetcar lanes. The group is also calling on Toronto residents to pledge to vote for candidates committed to increasing the frequency of TTC service, lowering fares, and prioritizing transit ahead of the upcoming election.
The bus lane is only temporary and will be washed away, but TTCriders say the need for improved transit systems still remains. They are now calling on candidates in the upcoming municipal election to take a stance on bus lanes in Toronto.
“Painting bus lanes is easy, but finding leadership to make them happen across Toronto is hard,” TTCriders posted to Instagram.
“TTCriders is asking all #topoli candidates to commit to installing 10 more bus and streetcar lanes in the next 4 years,” the group continued.
Meantime online, many people feel as though there are better solutions to this problem.
“A better idea would be to remove those sidewalk patios since the pandemic is over. And give back that outside road lane to the cars and trucks. This would help so many streets alleviate the traffic that’s been caused by the single lane,” said one person on Instagram.
On the other hand, some were frustrated with the protestors
“So a bunch of transit vigilantes messing up the flow of vehicular traffic. People gotta be able to commute to and from work without the gridlock traffic too,” pointed out one person on Instagram.
While others patted the protestors on the back for taking a stand.
“This would of made more sense than all these Bike lanes that I’m guessing haven’t slowed traffic either,” wrote one person.
“Good for them. Now apply for a tax refund since you had to do that yourself,” posted another.
What improvements would you like to see to the TTC? Let us know in the comments!
