Residents in Scarborough are feeling overlooked despite plans for a new busway in the area and the opening of major transit routes in Toronto. Rhoda Potter, president of the Agincourt Village Community Association and a long-time Scarborough resident, expressed concerns about the lack of progress on a subway line for the community. She emphasized that many residents in Scarborough rely on public transportation due to financial constraints and face long commutes.
While a busway is set to open in September on the old RT route, Potter believes it does not address the need for improved transit in Scarborough. The proposed Eglinton East light-rail transit project, intended to serve eastern Scarborough, has not provided a clear timeline, leaving community members in the dark.
Krissan Veerasingam, board co-chair for TTCriders and a Scarborough native, highlighted the disparity in transit investments between Scarborough and other parts of the city. He mentioned the recent openings of the Finch West LRT and the Eglinton Crosstown, emphasizing the need for enhanced transit options within Scarborough and the east end of Toronto.
Veerasingam criticized the temporary bus lanes as a short-term fix and stressed the importance of securing funding for projects like the Eglinton East LRT from provincial and federal sources. He noted that neglecting crucial transit projects disproportionately affects underserved communities, creating a wider impact beyond transportation issues.
Steven Farber, a transportation geography professor at the University of Toronto Scarborough, raised concerns about the exclusion of community members from essential opportunities due to inadequate public transit. He highlighted the concept of a “transportation poverty” gap, underscoring the urgency of addressing the situation to prevent further challenges for residents.
Potter echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that a transit line in Scarborough would not only improve connectivity but also boost employment and economic prospects for the community. She highlighted the significance of public transit in attracting businesses and fostering local development.
City council has approved initial design plans for the Eglinton East LRT, with further expansions expected in 2026. Funding for the project is contingent on commitments from provincial and federal partners as the development progresses.