Jedwin Mok
@jedwinmok.com
Transport Planner & Researcher
Creative Director | cityux.com
Research Lead | infrastoryinsights.com
https://youtu.be/vAygH6SZg28?si=lY-5xtbZl6yPv823
Creative Director | cityux.com
Research Lead | infrastoryinsights.com
https://youtu.be/vAygH6SZg28?si=lY-5xtbZl6yPv823
Pinned
Jedwin Mok
@jedwinmok.com
· Dec 5
NEW PUBLICATION: “Understanding the Drivers of Transit Construction Costs in Canada”
The first from me, Balthazar Crane, @chittimarco.bsky.social, and Amer Shalaby.
So why are transit projects so expensive in Canada? Here’s what we found: 1/🧵
stateofcitiessummit.ca/files/041224...
The first from me, Balthazar Crane, @chittimarco.bsky.social, and Amer Shalaby.
So why are transit projects so expensive in Canada? Here’s what we found: 1/🧵
stateofcitiessummit.ca/files/041224...
Reposted by Jedwin Mok
And a second post for the day: How do we get more passionate people to be involved in Toronto's transit?
nextmetro.substack.com/p/an-observa...
nextmetro.substack.com/p/an-observa...
An Observation on Toronto's Transit.
The Right People Need to Be Involved.
nextmetro.substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 8:18 PM
And a second post for the day: How do we get more passionate people to be involved in Toronto's transit?
nextmetro.substack.com/p/an-observa...
nextmetro.substack.com/p/an-observa...
Reposted by Jedwin Mok
Why I’m Less Excited About Trams Than You youtu.be/JLzkcfGfnDg
Why I’m Less Excited About Trams Than You
YouTube video by Oh The Urbanity!
youtu.be
December 26, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Why I’m Less Excited About Trams Than You youtu.be/JLzkcfGfnDg
If we are EVER to learn from the disastrous Line 6 opening and (incoming) Line 5 disaster, Toronto must objectively reflect on their history & conception.
@jrurbanenetwork.bsky.social latest piece does exactly that.
These are 2 badly planned, politicized ideas choked by poor delivery & discourse.
@jrurbanenetwork.bsky.social latest piece does exactly that.
These are 2 badly planned, politicized ideas choked by poor delivery & discourse.
I have not been shy on my coverage of transit issues in Toronto. With the disastrous opening of the Finch West LRT in early December, I have some thoughts from Hong Kong using my historical experiences with Toronto in this longform post.
The Toronto Tragedy
多倫多啲電車男係唔係太過份?
open.substack.com
December 25, 2025 at 9:16 AM
If we are EVER to learn from the disastrous Line 6 opening and (incoming) Line 5 disaster, Toronto must objectively reflect on their history & conception.
@jrurbanenetwork.bsky.social latest piece does exactly that.
These are 2 badly planned, politicized ideas choked by poor delivery & discourse.
@jrurbanenetwork.bsky.social latest piece does exactly that.
These are 2 badly planned, politicized ideas choked by poor delivery & discourse.
Reposted by Jedwin Mok
I have not been shy on my coverage of transit issues in Toronto. With the disastrous opening of the Finch West LRT in early December, I have some thoughts from Hong Kong using my historical experiences with Toronto in this longform post.
The Toronto Tragedy
多倫多啲電車男係唔係太過份?
open.substack.com
December 25, 2025 at 7:43 AM
I have not been shy on my coverage of transit issues in Toronto. With the disastrous opening of the Finch West LRT in early December, I have some thoughts from Hong Kong using my historical experiences with Toronto in this longform post.
Reposted by Jedwin Mok
TTC Planning & Engineering has been proposing and implementing exactly this type of infrastructure for decades but they face opposition from the City.
Queue Jump Lanes constructed by the TTC include:
WB Lawrence & Dufferin
EB Steeles & Don Mills
WB Finch & Yonge
EB Finch & Markham
Queue Jump Lanes constructed by the TTC include:
WB Lawrence & Dufferin
EB Steeles & Don Mills
WB Finch & Yonge
EB Finch & Markham
December 23, 2025 at 7:36 PM
TTC Planning & Engineering has been proposing and implementing exactly this type of infrastructure for decades but they face opposition from the City.
Queue Jump Lanes constructed by the TTC include:
WB Lawrence & Dufferin
EB Steeles & Don Mills
WB Finch & Yonge
EB Finch & Markham
Queue Jump Lanes constructed by the TTC include:
WB Lawrence & Dufferin
EB Steeles & Don Mills
WB Finch & Yonge
EB Finch & Markham
Reposted by Jedwin Mok
I do think this type of approach of identifying and fixing bottlenecks with targetted cheap transit priority, is the most best thing the TTC could be doing and blows away basically everything in the TTC's capital budget from a value perspective.
bus-only queue jump doing its job on eglinton, letting buses glide past long lines of left turning cars to enter cedarvale station.
sometimes its short, focused transit priority treatments like this that make all the difference!
sometimes its short, focused transit priority treatments like this that make all the difference!
December 21, 2025 at 1:16 AM
I do think this type of approach of identifying and fixing bottlenecks with targetted cheap transit priority, is the most best thing the TTC could be doing and blows away basically everything in the TTC's capital budget from a value perspective.
Reposted by Jedwin Mok
I need to update my map after the new lines opened last week. Chengdu has opened 722km of metro lines in 15 years.
December 22, 2025 at 10:10 AM
I need to update my map after the new lines opened last week. Chengdu has opened 722km of metro lines in 15 years.
Reposted by Jedwin Mok
Only Toronto would spend 220 million INT$/km (the cost France or China builds an underground city center metro line) on a tramway that is significantly slower, less frequent and more unreliable than the bus route it replaced.
We raced TTC's Line 6 on a bus and it was so slow we had time to stop for a snack
Toronto's newest transit line debuted on Dec. 7 to brutally bad reviews, and it seems that even a few weeks into service, the TTC has not ironed out …
www.blogto.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Only Toronto would spend 220 million INT$/km (the cost France or China builds an underground city center metro line) on a tramway that is significantly slower, less frequent and more unreliable than the bus route it replaced.
Reposted by Jedwin Mok
Rode Line 6 again off-peak as an experiment to see how much faster service could be with optimisation.
Trip time: 41 min
Dwell from lights: 11 min
Dwell from schedule padding: 4 min
Actual run time: 26 min
Increase the speed limit, and I'd say we could safely do 25 min off-peak/30 min peak.
Trip time: 41 min
Dwell from lights: 11 min
Dwell from schedule padding: 4 min
Actual run time: 26 min
Increase the speed limit, and I'd say we could safely do 25 min off-peak/30 min peak.
December 20, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Rode Line 6 again off-peak as an experiment to see how much faster service could be with optimisation.
Trip time: 41 min
Dwell from lights: 11 min
Dwell from schedule padding: 4 min
Actual run time: 26 min
Increase the speed limit, and I'd say we could safely do 25 min off-peak/30 min peak.
Trip time: 41 min
Dwell from lights: 11 min
Dwell from schedule padding: 4 min
Actual run time: 26 min
Increase the speed limit, and I'd say we could safely do 25 min off-peak/30 min peak.
Reposted by Jedwin Mok
just took line 6 this evening, two weeks since opening. a smooth 8 min to jane, and then an 8 min ride back (faster than scheduled).
-dwell times average 20s per stop
-in both directions, my train never hit a red light except at jane st
-green transit phase insertion/rotation being tested
1/2
-dwell times average 20s per stop
-in both directions, my train never hit a red light except at jane st
-green transit phase insertion/rotation being tested
1/2
December 22, 2025 at 12:18 AM
just took line 6 this evening, two weeks since opening. a smooth 8 min to jane, and then an 8 min ride back (faster than scheduled).
-dwell times average 20s per stop
-in both directions, my train never hit a red light except at jane st
-green transit phase insertion/rotation being tested
1/2
-dwell times average 20s per stop
-in both directions, my train never hit a red light except at jane st
-green transit phase insertion/rotation being tested
1/2
Reposted by Jedwin Mok
to inaugurate the new blog, i've written about a local and contentious topic that's been on my mind for years. at its heart, it's about understanding the information that transit riders need.
the case for splitting TTC Line 1:
the case for splitting TTC Line 1:
Line 1 is not one line
In the long term, treating Toronto’s Line 1 as two different lines would eliminate more confusion than it would create.
fernkhahn.medium.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:54 PM
to inaugurate the new blog, i've written about a local and contentious topic that's been on my mind for years. at its heart, it's about understanding the information that transit riders need.
the case for splitting TTC Line 1:
the case for splitting TTC Line 1:
Reposted by Jedwin Mok
Today Futian HSR Station in Shenzhen just installed a dual layer PSD system. Similar to the one I visited in Osaka, Japan; two layers of PSD units can shift around to match the door positions of any train. China has over 50 different HST models with a bunch of different door locations...
December 16, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Today Futian HSR Station in Shenzhen just installed a dual layer PSD system. Similar to the one I visited in Osaka, Japan; two layers of PSD units can shift around to match the door positions of any train. China has over 50 different HST models with a bunch of different door locations...
Reposted by Jedwin Mok
People defending the slow speeds on the grounds of social equity have no legs to stand on. Transit (including on Finch) being faster is exactly what delivers big equity gains. It closes the gap with the car for people who *don't* drive.
Just realized that the 50km end to end travel time of the Montreal REM is the same as the 10km end to end travel time of Toronto's Finch W Tramway (55 min).
December 13, 2025 at 4:09 PM
People defending the slow speeds on the grounds of social equity have no legs to stand on. Transit (including on Finch) being faster is exactly what delivers big equity gains. It closes the gap with the car for people who *don't* drive.
Reposted by Jedwin Mok
Speed Matters.
Some thoughts about transit and speed, life, space and time.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Some thoughts about transit and speed, life, space and time.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Speed matters
Of time, life and space. Or why transit speed matters.
open.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Speed Matters.
Some thoughts about transit and speed, life, space and time.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Some thoughts about transit and speed, life, space and time.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
The suburban centres of Sydney are MUST SEE TV!
- Masterful urban integration between indoor/outdoor space
- Small retail units for street activation & entrepreneurship
- Centered on fast & frequent suburban rail
We’ve got much to learn from Australia…
(📷 Chatswood, Parramatta, Hurstville)
- Masterful urban integration between indoor/outdoor space
- Small retail units for street activation & entrepreneurship
- Centered on fast & frequent suburban rail
We’ve got much to learn from Australia…
(📷 Chatswood, Parramatta, Hurstville)
December 16, 2025 at 4:26 AM
The suburban centres of Sydney are MUST SEE TV!
- Masterful urban integration between indoor/outdoor space
- Small retail units for street activation & entrepreneurship
- Centered on fast & frequent suburban rail
We’ve got much to learn from Australia…
(📷 Chatswood, Parramatta, Hurstville)
- Masterful urban integration between indoor/outdoor space
- Small retail units for street activation & entrepreneurship
- Centered on fast & frequent suburban rail
We’ve got much to learn from Australia…
(📷 Chatswood, Parramatta, Hurstville)
Reposted by Jedwin Mok
The results from Toronto's Finch West project suggest it will be very important for the function of Muni Metro's on-surface CBTC system to be worked out well before it is installed.
For people not familiar with the matter: any tram line I'm aware of globally works in so-called "line-of-sight", i.e. it's 100% manually operated by the driver with some protection for single track and switches
None use PTO signaling (i.e. that enforce max speed), except on off-street sections
None use PTO signaling (i.e. that enforce max speed), except on off-street sections
We’ve blown hundreds of millions on a “high performance” signalling system meant for separated railways, that, on a streetcar, simply imposes a more conservative operating regime. Why?
- “Safety never stops so we need the safest signalling ever!”
- “LRT is rapid transit, just like the subway!”
- “Safety never stops so we need the safest signalling ever!”
- “LRT is rapid transit, just like the subway!”
December 15, 2025 at 4:30 PM
The results from Toronto's Finch West project suggest it will be very important for the function of Muni Metro's on-surface CBTC system to be worked out well before it is installed.
Reposted by Jedwin Mok
Places that do not understand tram operations: let's run them with train-like positive protection.
Places that do understand tram operations: let's build a 100 m-long platform at our busiest stop so both trams and buses can board simultaneously. We trust trained drivers to handle this.
(Ulm HB)
Places that do understand tram operations: let's build a 100 m-long platform at our busiest stop so both trams and buses can board simultaneously. We trust trained drivers to handle this.
(Ulm HB)
December 15, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Places that do not understand tram operations: let's run them with train-like positive protection.
Places that do understand tram operations: let's build a 100 m-long platform at our busiest stop so both trams and buses can board simultaneously. We trust trained drivers to handle this.
(Ulm HB)
Places that do understand tram operations: let's build a 100 m-long platform at our busiest stop so both trams and buses can board simultaneously. We trust trained drivers to handle this.
(Ulm HB)
Reposted by Jedwin Mok
Q: how can we make the street below safer for people outside of cars?
toronto transportation services: 💡 force the LRT to operate 20 km/h slower than the adjacent traffic! vision zero! 🥰
toronto transportation services: 💡 force the LRT to operate 20 km/h slower than the adjacent traffic! vision zero! 🥰
December 15, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Q: how can we make the street below safer for people outside of cars?
toronto transportation services: 💡 force the LRT to operate 20 km/h slower than the adjacent traffic! vision zero! 🥰
toronto transportation services: 💡 force the LRT to operate 20 km/h slower than the adjacent traffic! vision zero! 🥰
Reposted by Jedwin Mok
For people not familiar with the matter: any tram line I'm aware of globally works in so-called "line-of-sight", i.e. it's 100% manually operated by the driver with some protection for single track and switches
None use PTO signaling (i.e. that enforce max speed), except on off-street sections
None use PTO signaling (i.e. that enforce max speed), except on off-street sections
We’ve blown hundreds of millions on a “high performance” signalling system meant for separated railways, that, on a streetcar, simply imposes a more conservative operating regime. Why?
- “Safety never stops so we need the safest signalling ever!”
- “LRT is rapid transit, just like the subway!”
- “Safety never stops so we need the safest signalling ever!”
- “LRT is rapid transit, just like the subway!”
December 15, 2025 at 2:33 AM
For people not familiar with the matter: any tram line I'm aware of globally works in so-called "line-of-sight", i.e. it's 100% manually operated by the driver with some protection for single track and switches
None use PTO signaling (i.e. that enforce max speed), except on off-street sections
None use PTO signaling (i.e. that enforce max speed), except on off-street sections
Reposted by Jedwin Mok
if the city truly believed in "vision zero" for finch avenue it would make transit the fast, compelling option to get people out of cars.
also, ban a bunch of left turns.
also, force tankers to use keele to access the oil terminals.
but instead we get the dumbest idea: slowing down the tram
also, ban a bunch of left turns.
also, force tankers to use keele to access the oil terminals.
but instead we get the dumbest idea: slowing down the tram
It’s great that stronger TSP is now a political priority.
Unfortunately, our $3B+ tramway will STILL take 46-min to go 10km, slower than the bus. This is due to:
- “Vision Zero” speed limits of 35 midblocks, 25 intersections, 15 platforms
- speed limits and gradients enforced by unnecessary CBTC
Unfortunately, our $3B+ tramway will STILL take 46-min to go 10km, slower than the bus. This is due to:
- “Vision Zero” speed limits of 35 midblocks, 25 intersections, 15 platforms
- speed limits and gradients enforced by unnecessary CBTC
December 15, 2025 at 2:10 AM
if the city truly believed in "vision zero" for finch avenue it would make transit the fast, compelling option to get people out of cars.
also, ban a bunch of left turns.
also, force tankers to use keele to access the oil terminals.
but instead we get the dumbest idea: slowing down the tram
also, ban a bunch of left turns.
also, force tankers to use keele to access the oil terminals.
but instead we get the dumbest idea: slowing down the tram
Reposted by Jedwin Mok
Not Just Bikes vs. Montreal (Two Years Later)
Not Just Bikes vs. Montreal (Two Years Later)
YouTube video by Oh The Urbanity!
youtu.be
December 14, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Not Just Bikes vs. Montreal (Two Years Later)
Reposted by Jedwin Mok
Thanks to the signaling system, Line 6 drivers can hardly ever drive faster than 30km/h all in the name of safety. The vehicle on a fixed guideway in the middle of the street needs to travel at half the speed limit. Meanwhile cars and big trucks close to the curb can travel at 60km/h.
It’s great that stronger TSP is now a political priority.
Unfortunately, our $3B+ tramway will STILL take 46-min to go 10km, slower than the bus. This is due to:
- “Vision Zero” speed limits of 35 midblocks, 25 intersections, 15 platforms
- speed limits and gradients enforced by unnecessary CBTC
Unfortunately, our $3B+ tramway will STILL take 46-min to go 10km, slower than the bus. This is due to:
- “Vision Zero” speed limits of 35 midblocks, 25 intersections, 15 platforms
- speed limits and gradients enforced by unnecessary CBTC
December 15, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Thanks to the signaling system, Line 6 drivers can hardly ever drive faster than 30km/h all in the name of safety. The vehicle on a fixed guideway in the middle of the street needs to travel at half the speed limit. Meanwhile cars and big trucks close to the curb can travel at 60km/h.
Reposted by Jedwin Mok
Vision Zero for motorists, who regularly injure or kill pedestrians and other vehicle occupants 👎
“Vision Zero” for trams, on fixed guideways, keeping them moving at half the speed of motorists 👍
“Vision Zero” for trams, on fixed guideways, keeping them moving at half the speed of motorists 👍
It’s great that stronger TSP is now a political priority.
Unfortunately, our $3B+ tramway will STILL take 46-min to go 10km, slower than the bus. This is due to:
- “Vision Zero” speed limits of 35 midblocks, 25 intersections, 15 platforms
- speed limits and gradients enforced by unnecessary CBTC
Unfortunately, our $3B+ tramway will STILL take 46-min to go 10km, slower than the bus. This is due to:
- “Vision Zero” speed limits of 35 midblocks, 25 intersections, 15 platforms
- speed limits and gradients enforced by unnecessary CBTC
December 15, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Vision Zero for motorists, who regularly injure or kill pedestrians and other vehicle occupants 👎
“Vision Zero” for trams, on fixed guideways, keeping them moving at half the speed of motorists 👍
“Vision Zero” for trams, on fixed guideways, keeping them moving at half the speed of motorists 👍
It’s great that stronger TSP is now a political priority.
Unfortunately, our $3B+ tramway will STILL take 46-min to go 10km, slower than the bus. This is due to:
- “Vision Zero” speed limits of 35 midblocks, 25 intersections, 15 platforms
- speed limits and gradients enforced by unnecessary CBTC
Unfortunately, our $3B+ tramway will STILL take 46-min to go 10km, slower than the bus. This is due to:
- “Vision Zero” speed limits of 35 midblocks, 25 intersections, 15 platforms
- speed limits and gradients enforced by unnecessary CBTC
December 15, 2025 at 12:05 AM
It’s great that stronger TSP is now a political priority.
Unfortunately, our $3B+ tramway will STILL take 46-min to go 10km, slower than the bus. This is due to:
- “Vision Zero” speed limits of 35 midblocks, 25 intersections, 15 platforms
- speed limits and gradients enforced by unnecessary CBTC
Unfortunately, our $3B+ tramway will STILL take 46-min to go 10km, slower than the bus. This is due to:
- “Vision Zero” speed limits of 35 midblocks, 25 intersections, 15 platforms
- speed limits and gradients enforced by unnecessary CBTC
Reposted by Jedwin Mok
The TTC Finch W Tramway is a walking disaster and the Montreal REM is a runaway success.
December 13, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The TTC Finch W Tramway is a walking disaster and the Montreal REM is a runaway success.