Scarborough needs urgent solutions following TTC’s Line 3 announcement

SCARBOROUGH – Ontario NDP Deputy Leader and MPP for Scarborough Southwest, Doly Begum, is calling for urgent and real solutions for Scarborough residents who will be left without rapid transit options after TTC announced the permanent closure of the Scarborough RT earlier today.

“Scarborough residents are not new to broken transit promises,” said Begum. “For decades, Scarborough’s transit needs have been an afterthought or a perennial political promise from those in power that has yet to be delivered, but now, we are at a breaking point, and we need solutions. The RT’s derailment should be a wake-up call for urgent provincial investment, so people’s mobility and safety are never at risk again.

Enough is enough, and we need commitment from the province to ensure that the decommissioned RT corridor is turned into a dedicated busway to replace Line 3.”

Quick Facts:

• In May, City of Toronto warned the province about financial challenges for Scarborough RT’s replacement, citing $2.9 million investment needed from the province to ensure a dedicated bus lane
• In July, Scarborough RT derailed. The RT had been operating on Line 3 since 1985 and was in service 10 years past its design life as the Scarborough Subway Extension project continues for a 2030 opening
• TTC announced the closure of the Scarborough RT on August 24