From your cited article: “There are benefits to both approaches,” Mr. McCuaig acknowledged, such as more stations on a surface LRT. He added it depends on whether one looks at the full plan or a specific project. “While the revised [Eglinton] Crosstown project is higher cost, it does deliver greater benefits.” Sure, but as he said, that's only if you look at the one project—and it ain't a subway—in isolation.
Again, from your article: New analysis from environmental think-tank The Pembina Institute found the four light rail lines would bring transit to 120,000 more Torontonians than the Mayor’s plan, including the Sheppard subway, at about 70% of the cost.
Worth actually thinking about McCuaig's mention of station intervals. To serve riders you put stops where they want them. When you're serving a trainload at a time you build expensive underground stations as close together as you can. But when a dozen or so folks an hour use your $50,000,000 underground station and you still have to shuttle them on the surface 'cause the next is miles away, planting a pole beside the LRT and calling it a stop looks awful sensible.
But Rob does seem determined to starve most of the City to bring his gravy train to Scarborough underground, doesn't he?. We shall see if that is the will of the City.
