Scarborough RT

The Scarborough RT ( officially Route 3 Scarborough RT called, where RT stands for Rapid Transit ) is a subway line in the Canadian city of Toronto. It is part of the Toronto Subway and operated by the Toronto Transit Commission ( TTC). The line is 6.4 km long and has six stations, the track width is 1435 mm ( standard gauge ). Every day it is used by an average of 42,250 passengers (2008/ 09).

Opened in 1985, route forms the eastern continuation of the Bloor- Danforth line and leads to the center of the borough Scarborough. It represents in many respects a peculiarity in public transport of the city out its tracks are laid to standard gauge and thus 60 mm narrower than the tracks of the other subway lines. The vehicles of the Scarborough RT run automatically and have a linear motor.

History

In 1973, the Scarborough Town Centre shopping center was opened, which developed in the sequel to the core of the then independent town of Scarborough. After the opening of the previously last section of the Bloor- Danforth line in 1980, but existed between the terminus Kennedy on the outskirts and the center is still a gap of several kilometers. The town of Scarborough called for an extension of the Subway, but the TTC refused in view of high cost and proposed a cost-effective solution. On a non-crossing path should trams, with the possibility to extend the route later to the neighboring town of Pickering.

In the 1970s, the Urban Transportation Development Corporation ( UTDC ), a company had developed a new type of rail transport in collaboration with Krauss -Maffei owned by the province of Ontario. The Intermediate Capacity Transit System ( ICTS ) had linear motors and was adapted for automatic operation on routes with medium capacity. The provincial government was looking for an application for the new system. She convinced 1981, the TTC and the town of Scarborough to use on the track already under construction ICTS trains instead of trams, and took over all additional costs.

In March 1984, found on the track the first test drives take place in July and August 1984 on the stretch Kennedy Lawrence East with passengers. The official opening was on 22 March 1985, two days later, the inclusion of the scheduled operation. From the beginning, the Scarborough RT was under a bad sign. The estimated 103 million dollar cost had almost doubled during the construction period. One and a half years after operation were receiving extra fees in the amount of 27 million dollars to resolve technical issues. About half of this was used in the terminus Kennedy originally built for the tram terminal loop (which was not really necessary for the ICTS trains) rebuild, since there several times trains were derailed. During the reconstruction in summer 1988 production rested for three months. Since the loop is only used for parking. Due to the unexpectedly high costs, the Scarborough RT had the reputation of being a "white elephant" to be early.

After opening in 1985, it was originally planned the route in a second step on McCowan addition to extend by a further 3.2 km to the district Malvern. To this end, there was a corridor along a disused railway line ready. 1992 track and stations were planned in detail. The project would have cost $ 430 million, more than twice as much as the existing section. In 1995 there was a change of government in Ontario and the new Prime Minister Mike Harris ordered the cessation of all plans.

Track and stations

The 6.4 km long route is roughly L -shaped and runs almost exclusively above ground. It begins in the station Kennedy, where the single track of the Scarborough RT between the two tracks of the Bloor- Danforth line and so creates optimal Umsteigebedingungen ( Spanish solution ). Immediately after leaving the station the route swings north. On the next 4.2 kilometers, it follows a railroad line of the Canadian National Railway, which is also used by GO Transit commuter trains.

After the station Ellesmere hitherto walk- RT route passes under the railway line in a short tunnel and turn in a tight corner in the direction of east. It follows a viaduct to the terminus McCowan. There the route lowers again, and finally ends in the parking area McCowan Yard. Most Haunted station behind Kennedy 's Scarborough Centre, which is located directly at the south entrance of the shopping center and has a large bus station.

Rolling stock

The TTC ordered for the Scarborough RT in the years 1983-1985 at UTDC 28 cars of the type ITCS Mark I. They are 12.7 m long, 2.5 m wide and 15.445 tons. A car has 30 seats and 55 standing places is so relatively small dimensions. Usually the cars are coupled to four-car trains and operate at a maximum speed of 80 km / h However, this often extended speed brings a significant disadvantage, namely an enormous volume development. The Bombardier took over in 1991, the company UTDC and developed the ITCS system for Bombardier Advanced Rapid Transit on.

Actually, the ITCS coatings have been developed for automatic operation. However, in view of numerous software problems after the opening of the public called for staff on the trains. Since then, in every train a TTC employee is present to supervise the operation and controls the doors. The trains are used for small repairs in the terminal waiting McCowan, otherwise in the main workshop of the Subway.

Future

The Scarborough RT has a bad reputation for several reasons., Driven mainly by the massive cost overruns and unreliability in the first years of operation. In addition, capacity constraints at peak times. The delivered in the 1980s by UTDC cars of the Mark I series approach the maximum service life and are no longer produced. The successor Mark II Bombardier can not be used because the station facilities would have to be rebuilt because of the significantly longer car with high financial and technical effort. Due to the different type of technology and the track gauge, an integration into the subway network is excluded. Even if the track would umgespurt, they could not be driven from the subway because of the tight corners.

Meanwhile, following the City of Toronto and the TTC is a new strategy. As part of the expansion program launched in 2007 Transit City ICTS technology to be completely replaced. Instead, should operate on the route low-floor light rail vehicles. The planned light rail route Scarborough Malvern LRT should be routed via McCowan addition to the Malvern district; the construction is scheduled for 2014, commissioning in 2019.

711530
de