Olivia Chow unveiled a proposal to expand bus service in Toronto Thursday, but provided few details about how she would pay for the measure.
“We need a better bus service plan now, not in 20 years,” Chow told a crowd of assembled reporters.
If elected, Chow said she would spend $15 million to increase the city’s bus capacity by 10 per cent.
She said the plan would entail hiring more bus drivers and holding off on retiring older vehicles that are set to be replaced with new articulated buses the city has already ordered.
“What I want to do is a practical solution that will increase bus services now,” Chow said.
Calling it a move that could be implemented immediately and that would help “little guys and little gals,” Chow called up images of mothers with strollers unable to board crowded buses in freezing temperatures for lack of space.
“This is just not acceptable. That’s why we need a better bus service plan now, not in 20 years,” Chow said.
Chow said the $15 million could be found within the existing budget and would be used to hire new bus drivers. However she offered few specifics as to where exactly the money would be found, suggesting that the city might have more money to spend if the planned Scarborough subway extension is scrapped.
“I’m sure we can find it within the existing budget. It’s a very, very big budget,” Chow told CP24 after the announcement.
Chow has promised to replace the planned subway with above-ground light rail if elected, saying a light rail line could be delivered several years faster, with more stops and at less cost.
“I think Scarborough residents deserve more respect. Rather than wait 10 years for transit improvement, they need it sooner,” she said when asked whether it would be a good idea to reopen an already protracted debate.
She said construction could begin on a light rail line in Scarborough as early as 2015.
“The environmental assessment is done. Shovels can be in the ground next year,” Chow said.
She repeated a commitment to keep property tax increases pegged to the rate of inflation.
The mayoral candidate also took a shot at some of her rivals, saying they have no plan to pay for transit ideas themselves.
“John Tory and Rob Ford haven’t announced anything specific,” Chow said. “I think it’s important to mind our public purse responsibly. You can’t just announce a line without saying where the money will come from.”
Ford has championed a subway extension into Scarborough to replace the aging Scarborough Rapid Transit system. The plan would be paid for with money from all three levels of government.
Tory has said he would continue with the Scarborough subway plan and would also make the downtown relief line a priority.
Asked about Chow’s comments Thursday, Tory told CP24 there are still “a lot of sleeps” left on the calendar before the election is done.
He said he plans to eventually lay out a plan detailing how he would pay for transit expansion.
“She (Chow) is not going to build the Scarborough subway, I am,” Tory said.
At her news conference, Chow was also asked about new police documents released this week that show Toronto police offered Mayor Rob Ford and his lawyer an opportunity to view the infamous “crack video” months ago.
“I think people in Toronto are tired of Mr. Ford’s personal story. It is a distraction from us being able to talk about better service for the people of Toronto,” Chow said.
She also repeated a comment that Ford is “no role model” for her granddaughters or the other children of Toronto.
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