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Transit advocacy group to hold Scarborough RT ‘funeral’ and rally 

In July, a Scarborough RT train derailed on Line 3 near Ellesmere Station. Five people were sent to hospital with minor injuries and the line has been non-operational since the incident. (Courtesy: transitarchiveprojects/ Instagram)

TTCriders, an active public transit advocacy group in Toronto, is holding a “memorial” Wednesday evening in light of the imminent Scarborough RT closure.

In July, a Scarborough RT train derailed on Line 3 near Ellesmere Station. Five people were sent to hospital with minor injuries and the line has been non-operational since the incident.

READ MORE: TTC considering shutting down Scarborough RT service early after train derailment

In the immediate aftermath the TTC announced it would remain closed for three weeks while an investigation was ongoing. However, the line currently remains closed and has been replaced with shuttle buses. 

The line had previously been scheduled for decommission on Nov. 19, prior to the derailment, but shows no signs of returning to its former operational status before then. The line was set to permanently shut down for construction of the Scarborough Subway Extension.

In light of its premature closure, transit users, community organizations, and Scarborough MPPs are gathering near the site of the derailment to hold a memorial for the transit line and rally for fast-tracked solutions, TTCriders said in a statement on Wednesday.

Protesters are being encouraged to wear black, hold candles and to bring posters.

Attendees will gather in front of a memorial installed on the fence near the Scarborough RT derailment and oversized RT trains made of cardboard will be displayed. The memorial will take place between 6-7 p.m.

The group is calling for urgent solutions to the disruption caused by the decision to halt services early. The Scarborough Subway Extension will not be in service until 2030 at the earliest, leaving transit users on shuttle buses for at least seven years, TTCriders said.

The advocacy organization is calling for urgent interim solutions, including: 

  • Immediate installation of approved bus-only lanes and traffic signal priority for shuttle buses;
  • Provincial funding for free GO-TTC transfers and more service on the GO network, especially on the Stouffville corridor;
  • Provincial funding and fast-tracking of a busway in the decommissioned RT corridor, which will save 10 minutes in each direction compared to shuttles;
  • An independent investigation and report on unfunded TTC maintenance needs;
  • Reversing TTC service cuts.

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