I came across this article yesterday about streetcar-centred development. Interesting idea, but, as someone who spent more than three years living on a streetcar line, I’m not particularly excited about it. Subway lines are where it’s at. Sadly, I doubt we’ll see any more of those popping up any time soon (or ever?).

Come to think of it, we may not see much of transit at all. With the possibility of a strike looming, the TTC employee’s union could be making April Fools of us all.

BlogTO was quick to condemn:

Anyone who has ever had to go from south Etobicoke to north Scarborough by TTC knows what I mean. Anyone that has cheerfully approached a TTC employee only to be scowled at knows what I mean. Taking the TTC can be a terrible experience. It’s inefficient, dirty, and the image of the TTC worker overall is severely tarnished by the many miserable people who are members of the union and staff the system.

Ouch. Granted, their propaganda video (shown at the aforementioned blog post) makes me grimace, and I have come across the odd sourpuss, but I also think it’s important to separate frustrations with TTC emkployees from those of the system as a whole. I’m probably angrier than most at things like overcrowding. Or late trains. Or unexplained stops at random subway stations for no apparent reason with the train doors open. But I think we all know that most of this can’t be pinned on the union or its members.

Then again, it’s hard to support a strike when these folks already make exponentially more than I do.

To make matters worse, we may end up out on the streets during a flood. So much for our safe streets. And I know all of this sucks, but at this point I think I’d take a bit of flooding (though not a bit of mugging) if it meant sur-zero temperatures. That’s why God invented capris, no?

Oh, and if my limp-wristed commentary has offended you, you may want to think about running me over with your new Ford. It’s okay to buy them again! Perfect for hate crimes. Or, considering the company’s track record, maybe it’s just convenient timing.