Mark Shaw
@markshawtoronto.bsky.social
🍁 Toronto transit & urbanism nerd | 👨💻 Software Developer | 🌈 Your gay best friend
Pinned
Mark Shaw
@markshawtoronto.bsky.social
· Nov 15
This #followfriday I’m just going to repost the Toronto Urbanism Starter pack.
It’s got more content since you last saw it!
go.bsky.app/3drLJRM
It’s got more content since you last saw it!
go.bsky.app/3drLJRM
Reposted by Mark Shaw
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 Mark Shaw
From the Metro Toronto Planning Board's 1959 draft Official Plan (voted down by Metro Council). You could not say something this obvious in Toronto's Official Plan anymore.
December 19, 2025 at 7:41 PM
From the Metro Toronto Planning Board's 1959 draft Official Plan (voted down by Metro Council). You could not say something this obvious in Toronto's Official Plan anymore.
Someone tell me I can’t watch Heated Rivalry on VIA rail I need to hear it from a friend
December 19, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Someone tell me I can’t watch Heated Rivalry on VIA rail I need to hear it from a friend
Reposted by Mark Shaw
Since I had today off, I finally got the chance to ride the new Finch West LRT a.k.a. Line 6. To add a twist to this journey, I did a return trip via bike share to find out which was faster given early reports of the LRT being slow. #BikeTO #TTC #TOpoli www.twowheeledpolitics.ca/2025/12/i-fo...
I Fought the Train and the … Train Won?
A blog about cycling and political advocacy based in Toronto, Canada. (#BikeTO)
www.twowheeledpolitics.ca
December 18, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Since I had today off, I finally got the chance to ride the new Finch West LRT a.k.a. Line 6. To add a twist to this journey, I did a return trip via bike share to find out which was faster given early reports of the LRT being slow. #BikeTO #TTC #TOpoli www.twowheeledpolitics.ca/2025/12/i-fo...
Reposted by Mark Shaw
"Constance Williams, who lives near infill development, says she’s prepared to chain herself to a tree to stop an empty home from being torn down and turned into an infill eight-plex."
edmonton.citynews.ca/2025/12/16/w...
edmonton.citynews.ca/2025/12/16/w...
Edmonton woman ready to chain herself to tree to stop infill project
Frustration with infill is reaching new heights in Edmonton’s Dovercourt neighbourhood. Constance Williams, who lives near infill development, says she’s prepared to chain herself to a tree to stop an...
edmonton.citynews.ca
December 17, 2025 at 2:33 PM
"Constance Williams, who lives near infill development, says she’s prepared to chain herself to a tree to stop an empty home from being torn down and turned into an infill eight-plex."
edmonton.citynews.ca/2025/12/16/w...
edmonton.citynews.ca/2025/12/16/w...
Pour one out for buyers of $3M+ homes in Rosedale who are not wealthy apparently.
Saxe pushes back against Chow saying that people in Rosedale can afford this increased land transfer tax. She says not everyone in Rosedale is wealthy. She asks Chow to apologizing for painting the neighbourhood with a "broad brush."
December 17, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Pour one out for buyers of $3M+ homes in Rosedale who are not wealthy apparently.
Reposted by Mark Shaw
naive question: does saxe understand buyer pays, not seller, for LTT? because if you're buying into rosedale definitionally you can afford the LTT increase and this comment doesn't make sense.
Saxe pushes back against Chow saying that people in Rosedale can afford this increased land transfer tax. She says not everyone in Rosedale is wealthy. She asks Chow to apologizing for painting the neighbourhood with a "broad brush."
December 17, 2025 at 4:08 PM
naive question: does saxe understand buyer pays, not seller, for LTT? because if you're buying into rosedale definitionally you can afford the LTT increase and this comment doesn't make sense.
Reposted by Mark Shaw
Here me out: just ban left turns on arterials.
Holyday wants to know what it would mean if signal priority gave LRTs priority over left-turning vehicles. "Have you ever played Uno?" Holyday asks. "You ever get a miss-your-turn card? Is that what this is?"
Staff say left-turning cars would still get a turn, after the transit has cleared.
Staff say left-turning cars would still get a turn, after the transit has cleared.
December 17, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Here me out: just ban left turns on arterials.
Reposted by Mark Shaw
Our streetcars are getting a boost! Council just voted to speed up our LRTs and streetcars with changes to signal priority, left-turn restrictions, and more. I'm looking forward to the City Manager's plan to improve streetcar speed and reliability early next year -- on Line 6 and elsewhere! 👏
December 16, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Our streetcars are getting a boost! Council just voted to speed up our LRTs and streetcars with changes to signal priority, left-turn restrictions, and more. I'm looking forward to the City Manager's plan to improve streetcar speed and reliability early next year -- on Line 6 and elsewhere! 👏
Reposted by Mark Shaw
"I believe rapid transit must be rapid," says Councillor Jamaal Myers, the TTC chair. He says slow speeds on the Finch LRT and streetcar routes just cause people to quit transit and drive instead. He says the "political will" is finally here for real transit signal priority.
December 16, 2025 at 7:32 PM
"I believe rapid transit must be rapid," says Councillor Jamaal Myers, the TTC chair. He says slow speeds on the Finch LRT and streetcar routes just cause people to quit transit and drive instead. He says the "political will" is finally here for real transit signal priority.
Reposted by Mark Shaw
A large chunk of my life's work is to get more people involved and paying attention to municipal civics but then I watch a few minutes of Toronto City Council and I want to renounce everything I've done.
December 16, 2025 at 5:22 PM
A large chunk of my life's work is to get more people involved and paying attention to municipal civics but then I watch a few minutes of Toronto City Council and I want to renounce everything I've done.
Reposted by Mark Shaw
New billion-dollar transit lines shouldn't get stuck for *this long* waiting at red lights.
That's why we're happy to see a motion coming to City Council this week to implement stronger transit signal priority and other measures to speed up LRTs - but it won't happen without your voice!
1/2
That's why we're happy to see a motion coming to City Council this week to implement stronger transit signal priority and other measures to speed up LRTs - but it won't happen without your voice!
1/2
December 16, 2025 at 1:12 AM
New billion-dollar transit lines shouldn't get stuck for *this long* waiting at red lights.
That's why we're happy to see a motion coming to City Council this week to implement stronger transit signal priority and other measures to speed up LRTs - but it won't happen without your voice!
1/2
That's why we're happy to see a motion coming to City Council this week to implement stronger transit signal priority and other measures to speed up LRTs - but it won't happen without your voice!
1/2
Reposted by Mark Shaw
25km/hr average speed or remove the ostensible Lines 5, 6 and 8 from the map entirely because otherwise they are just slow-assed streetcars making lines on a pretty map to pretend like we have a real network of subways.
#TOpoli @mayoroliviachow.ca
#TOpoli @mayoroliviachow.ca
Tired: The LRT is just a streetcar
Inspired: What if we go the other way -
(from palopatrol on r/TTC)
Inspired: What if we go the other way -
(from palopatrol on r/TTC)
December 16, 2025 at 12:51 AM
25km/hr average speed or remove the ostensible Lines 5, 6 and 8 from the map entirely because otherwise they are just slow-assed streetcars making lines on a pretty map to pretend like we have a real network of subways.
#TOpoli @mayoroliviachow.ca
#TOpoli @mayoroliviachow.ca
Reposted by Mark Shaw
#Toronto man outruns newly-opened Finch LRT by 18 minutes
Mac Bauer, known as the 514runner, has been racing TTC vehicles for the past year
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Mac Bauer, known as the 514runner, has been racing TTC vehicles for the past year
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Toronto man outruns newly-opened Finch LRT by 18 minutes | CBC News
A Toronto man challenged the newly-opened Finch Light-Rail Transit to a race — and he won.
www.cbc.ca
December 15, 2025 at 12:01 PM
#Toronto man outruns newly-opened Finch LRT by 18 minutes
Mac Bauer, known as the 514runner, has been racing TTC vehicles for the past year
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Mac Bauer, known as the 514runner, has been racing TTC vehicles for the past year
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Tired: The LRT is just a streetcar
Inspired: What if we go the other way -
(from palopatrol on r/TTC)
Inspired: What if we go the other way -
(from palopatrol on r/TTC)
December 15, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Tired: The LRT is just a streetcar
Inspired: What if we go the other way -
(from palopatrol on r/TTC)
Inspired: What if we go the other way -
(from palopatrol on r/TTC)
Reposted by Mark Shaw
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 Mark Shaw
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.
As if bluesky nerds need more reason to become a oui-aboo
There’s a happiness gap between young people in Quebec and in the rest of Canada - Joshua Bujold, an upbeat psychology student in his first semester at Montreal’s Dawson College, was taken aback to find out that happiness among young Canadians has plunged.
There’s a happiness gap between young people in Quebec and in the rest of Canada
Joshua Bujold, an upbeat psychology student in his first semester at Montreal’s Dawson College, was taken aback to find out that happiness among young Canadians has plunged.
bit.ly
December 15, 2025 at 4:35 PM
As if bluesky nerds need more reason to become a oui-aboo
Reposted by Mark Shaw
Something few people discuss when it comes to unreliable TTC headways is operator behaviour. I just witnessed my 504 operator leave Dundas West 5 mins early, creating a 15 min gap in service on the A branch and artificially inducing bunching down the line. Needs to be cracked down on.
December 15, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Something few people discuss when it comes to unreliable TTC headways is operator behaviour. I just witnessed my 504 operator leave Dundas West 5 mins early, creating a 15 min gap in service on the A branch and artificially inducing bunching down the line. Needs to be cracked down on.
Reposted by Mark Shaw
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 Mark Shaw
Good morning Toronto
December 14, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Good morning Toronto
Reposted by Mark Shaw
Reposted by Mark Shaw
Obviously no one from Toronto is in a position to criticize Calgary since we didn't even pass the citywide sixplex reform that our HAF agreement required. But I feel for Calgary advocates who worked on zoning reform, saw it succeed and people then said "Too much housing. Roll it back."
December 13, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Obviously no one from Toronto is in a position to criticize Calgary since we didn't even pass the citywide sixplex reform that our HAF agreement required. But I feel for Calgary advocates who worked on zoning reform, saw it succeed and people then said "Too much housing. Roll it back."