It isn’t all good news on public transit

Re King streetcar pilot project proving to be the faster way, Dec. 4

It’s great to see public transit so front and centre in recent weeks.

It’s wonderful to have transit expansion and improved travel times and I think regional consolidation is a good idea that is long overdue. But saying this, let’s not forget the small things. There’s nothing more frustrating than getting onto one of the new TTC streetcars and not having the proof-of-payment machines working or walking into a subway station and having the transfer machines out of order. TTC users should not live in fear of being accosted by security personnel when they want to pay their fare or can’t get proof of payment. What’s more, the new gates being installed at subway stations often don’t work, which is extremely irritating for Presto and transit pass users.

Maybe it’s time to stop all this automation and have personnel at all subway entrances and exits and allow people to pay cash fares on all streetcars. Sometimes technology is a step backwards and makes it less convenient for folks wanting to take public transit.

Andrew van Velzen, Toronto

I often hear suburban transit riders complain about the unfair number of minutes they will be slowed down because their service is much worse than ours downtown, which they see as teeming with transit options.

The Star reports that an average GTA commute has increased one minute and 12 seconds since 2011. That makes me laugh.

I used to reach anywhere in downtown Toronto in half an hour by bus, subway or streetcar. Now I must plan one hour for the same trips to make sure I get to places in time because of congestion and crowds. I’m not complaining, but friends in the suburbs can bury the envy. Ulla Colgrass, Toronto