Toronto, Canada’s largest city, faces significant transit challenges that impact both daily commutes and the local economy. The city ranks second-worst in commute times among major North American cities, with an average travel time of fifty-five minutes one way. Rapid urban growth has exacerbated these issues, leading to delays in key projects and mounting traffic congestion. This article explores the inefficiencies in Toronto's transit expansion efforts and examines successful strategies from other global cities to provide solutions for more efficient and cost-effective transit development.

Rethinking Transit Infrastructure through In-House Expertise

Toronto's reliance on external consultants has significantly contributed to escalating transit costs and fragmented decision-making. By developing internal expertise, the city can gain tighter control over budgets and timelines while reducing dependency on costly external advice. Cities like Tokyo and Seoul have successfully built robust in-house teams, achieving lower project costs and faster delivery times. Adopting similar practices could position Toronto as a leader in sustainable transit development, aligning with broader climate goals and reducing carbon emissions.

The University of Toronto's School of Cities highlights that up to 30% of management roles in Metrolinx projects are filled by external consultants, driving up soft costs. In contrast, Tokyo and Seoul prioritize internal expertise, ensuring streamlined processes and better project outcomes. Tokyo achieves subway project costs below US$250 million per kilometre, while Seoul's projects cost approximately US$101 million per kilometre—significantly lower than Toronto's current spending. Cultivating institutional knowledge not only reduces costs but also positions Toronto to export its expertise globally, generating economic opportunities and enhancing its reputation in transit development.

Optimizing Planning and Design for Efficient Transit Expansion

A lack of cohesive planning has led to fragmented and inefficient transit networks in Toronto. Phased development and standardized designs offer a promising solution to streamline project delivery and control costs. Cities like Delhi and Madrid have demonstrated the effectiveness of phased planning and modular construction methods, delivering extensive transit networks within budget and on schedule. Implementing these strategies could help Toronto overcome its transit challenges and build a more integrated and efficient transportation system.

Delhi's phased approach has enabled the city to construct an expansive metro network of over 288 stations and 390 kilometres of track, prioritizing high-traffic corridors and securing funding for subsequent phases. Similarly, Madrid's use of standardized designs and optimized construction methods allowed it to triple its metro system length between 1995 and 2007 at a fraction of the cost seen in other cities. Toronto's Eglinton Crosstown LRT project exemplifies the pitfalls of complex and over-engineered designs, resulting in delays and inflated costs. Embracing simpler, standardized designs could accelerate project delivery and reduce unnecessary expenses, paving the way for a more efficient and sustainable transit future.