Tory touts new buses, says 'we've got to keep building transit'

Toronto Mayor John Tory touted expanded TTC bus service Tuesday, with 50 new buses added to 24 routes to help ease congestion during rush hour.

Tory, along with TTC Chair Coun. Josh Colle, wasatWellesley station Tuesdaymorning to talk about expanded service on thebus routes.

The mayor arrived at the station after riding the 94 Wellesley bus, one of 24 routes that will have more frequent rush hour service. Instead of every 14 minutes, buses on the Wellesley route will run every 10 minutes.

The changes took effect on Tuesday.

The city set aside $95 million in last year's budget to expand bus service and put 50 new buses on the road.

"Those buses are on the street today," Tory told reporters just after7 a.m Tuesday, noting that it took "awhile" to order the buses, wait for delivery, and hire and train drivers.

"This is the investment we made last year to restore cuts made by the previous administration and to make it easier for people to get to and from work," the mayor said.

'We've got to keep building transit'

Meanwhile, reports that the city was set to make further transit announcements on Tuesday appear to have been unfounded.

Tory, however, did sayTuesday that there needs to be a renewed focus on continually updating the TTC to meet the needs of a growing city.

"For years and years we would build one project, whether it was an extensionof the Spadina subway or an extension of the Bloor subway, and we'd sit back and admire it for 10 years and say 'isn't that fantastic,'" said Tory. "Now we've got to keep building and building. We've got to keep building transit and we're going to do that."

To talk about future transit plans, Metrolinx, the provincial body that oversees regional transit planning for Toronto, has announced the following public meetings:

Tonight
Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary School
959 Midland Avenue, Scarborough
6:30 - 8:30 PM

Saturday, Feb.20
Richview Collegiate
1738 Islington Avenue, Etobicoke
9:30 - 11:30 AM

Wednesday, Feb.24
Metro Toronto Convention Centre (North Building Room 203)
255 Front Street West, Toronto
6:30 - 8:30 PM

Thursday, Feb.25
Riverdale Collegiate
1094 Gerrard Street East, Toronto
6:30 - 8:30 PM

Saturday, Feb.27
Scarborough Civic Centre
150 Borough Drive, Scarborough
9:30 - 11:30 AM

Wednesday, March 9
Lakeshore Collegiate Institute
350 Kipling Avenue, Etobicoke
6:30 - 8:30 PM

Tuesday, March 22
Nelson Mandela Park Public School
440 Shuter Street, Toronto
6:30 - 8:30 PM