Scarborough subway a priority only in
Scarborough
In a
random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 882 Toronto
voters, one half agree the highest transit priority for the city is the
Downtown Relief Line (DRL - 48%). Just one quarter see the Scarborough subway
as the higher priority (27%), while one fifth favour another project (18%) and
few have no opinion (7%).
The
DRL is favoured especially in the downtown (63%), and in Etobicoke/York (57%)
and especially among John Tory supporters (64%). The Scarborough subway is
preferred by residents of that community (63%) and those who will vote Rob Ford
in the mayoral election (48%). Olivia Chow's supporters prefer the DRL to other
options (48%), but as many as a quarter says something else has a higher
priority (25%).
More subways seen to be best answer to
congestion; Chow voters favour LRT
Close
to half of voters agree the best solution to congestion on the TTC is more
subways (45%), while about half this proportion says the answer is more LRT
(20%) or more bus service (18%). Few think more streetcars are the answer (5%).
More subways are especially popular in North York (52%) and Scarborough (54%),
while more LRT is most popular downtown (28%). Etobicoke/York is especially
likely to want more bus service (29%). Streetcars reach their highest popularity
downtown (11%). Rob Ford voters are all about subways first (62%) with a bit of
bus (19%). Chow voters lead with LRT (35%), followed by bus and subway (21%
each). Tory voters support subways (59%), and a little bit of bus (11%) and LRT
(13%).
“There is obviously a lot of support out there across the
city for a mayoral candidate who puts the DRL on the front burner, and risks
the heat from Scarborough. While residents of that community see their subway
as their entitlement, the rest of the city know the Yonge line needs to be
relieved of crowding. It is interesting to note that candidate Chow's idea for
increased bus service will be especially popular on the mayor's home turf in
Etobicoke," said Forum Research President,
Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.
Lorne Bozinoff,
Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416)
960-9603.
