Why the big focus on streetcars?

Re City, TTC unveil details of streetcar-first King St. pilot project, May 19 What is with Toronto’s backward obsession with streetcars? Name one other major metropolis that runs these slowmoving sweat buckets through their streets? Wouldn’t it be a wonderfully connected city if King and Queen Sts. had subways? Instead, we get to read about council’s silly reconfiguration idea for King, from the same brain trust that bought streetcars from Bombardier thinking it was a well-run company. David Duranovich, Toronto Re Stop closing King St. for TIFF, transit board urges city council, May 19 So Transit Chair Josh Colle feels the TTC should “advocate for our passengers,” by objecting to the shutdown of the King streetcar for four days during TIFF, which generates nearly $200 million for Toronto. I would like Mr. Colle to advocate for TTC passengers by not shutting down parts of the subway every weekend for planned upgrades. These closures are significantly more disruptive than four days’ loss of a single streetcar line. Maintenance and upgrades should be done overnight, when the system is closed. Brigitte Nowak, Toronto