Premature Interjection

The rumours of Transit City's Death have been greatly exaggerated.  Despite what Rob Ford claims is his mandate, Transit City is not dead.  The Globe and Mail polled city councillors on whether they want the city to continue on Transit City or move ahead with Rob Ford's subway "plan."
The numbers show that 14 councillors want to move forward with Transit City with 4 additional members wanting to move forward but with some changes.  The pro-subway vote has 11 members, with the other 15 members undecided, obviously enough councillors to swing the vote one way or the other.  However, of the 11 members who would vote in favour of subways, Gary Crawford and Victor Crisanti are "concerned about potential cost of contract cancellations."  Most of the pro-subway councillors are also in favour of the decision being made by council.

The cost of contract cancellations right now is largely unknown, but, according to a tweet from Councillor Joe Mihevc on December 1, "the lost cost is at least $200 million on work and contracts to date." This cost is above and beyond the extra money that subways would cost the city compared to the already approved Transit City LRTs.  According to this great website (apparently originally created on geocities) Subways underground cost $200 to $250 million per kilometre while at grade they cost $150 to $200 million per kilometre.  LRTs like the ones already approved cost $130 to $160 million per kilometre underground and $30 to $50 million at grade.  This huge difference immediately explains the difference in coverage between Ford's campaign plan shown below and the existing Transit City plan.  Click on the captions for larger pictures

Ford's Plan

Transit City Light Rail Plan

There is obviously alot to discuss about Rob Ford's death announcement for Transit City, although the economics of it is obviously the biggest aspect.    Up next, "Underground in Canada: Rob Ford's War on Public Transit"