The TTC listened to us!

In last month’s column I reported my concerns regarding the future of Leaside’s 88A and 88B bus routes, and my feeling that the Toronto Transit Commission had not fully grasped how important these local routes are for us. 

This month I am happy to be the bearer of good tidings! 

Over the last three years I’ve been representing the Leaside Residents Association at the TTC’s annual Service Plan consultation meetings. Previously they had raised the unhappy prospect of significantly reduced public transit availability in south and central Leaside. 

The TTC’s 2022 Annual Service Plan survey states: “The TTC had planned to consolidate all services on 88 South Leaside to terminate at Laird, but feedback from community consultation showed that the proposal did not suit the needs of transit customers in the area.”

In short, the TTC listened to us.

Once the Eglinton Crosstown begins to operate, the TTC will adjust the 88A and 88B South routes to link with the new Laird LRT station, while continuing to operate in circular clockwise and counter-clockwise loops, as they do now. They will continue to connect the Leaside and Thorncliffe Park communities, and to run out of the St. Clair subway station.

The eastern end of the 88A and 88B routes will extend somewhat, and that could raise the possibility of some delay due to traffic congestion. The Laird and east of Laird area will be an active construction site for some time, so we need to get firm commitments about bus frequency, and clear details of turning movements and actual on-street connections to the Eglinton LRT, but over all this is very positive news.

By the way, more good transit news: the South Leaside Route 28, which connects the Evergreen Brickworks to Davisville subway station via Bayview Avenue, will continue to operate, providing an important service connection for South Leaside residents. 

Leaside Traffic Management
Plan update

In my Leaside Life column next month I hope to be able to report more information about the Leaside Traffic Management Plan (TMP). The LRA has been working with the Lawrence Park residents’ association to arrange a joint meeting with City Traffic staff. 

Both communities are subjects of a TMP and are equally eager to increase safety on our roads (as well as reduce flow-through traffic volume). As of the time of writing, our first meeting is scheduled for mid-August. We want to discuss how our communities over all (as well as neighbours on individual streets) can contribute to local solutions, and how projects will get approval and funding.

Next meeting

Our next meeting is on Wed., Aug. 4th, via Zoom. You are welcome to attend any of the LRA’s monthly board meetings, which take place on the first Wednesday of each month. If you’d like to watch or participate, let us know by Aug. 4th so we can send you the Zoom access details. Visit us at www.leasideresidents.ca.

About Carol Burtin Fripp 136 Articles
Carol Burtin Fripp is Co-President of the Leaside Residents Association, and is Chair of the LRA's Traffic Committee. Over the years, she has served on numerous East York and City task forces. Now a retired television producer (TVO and CBC), she writes Leaside Life's monthly LRA column, and has created a daily international current affairs newsletter read from Newfoundland to New Zealand.