Improving In-Station Displays on Line 5 - by Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin, seconded by Councillor Jamaal Myers

Of all the benefits created by transit investment, its impact on commuting behaviours is one of the most significant. As more residents have access to reliable transit as an alternative to personal vehicles for their commutes, we will see a decrease in congestion on our streets - at rush hour and beyond. Ensuring that estimated times of arrival are accurate is critical to ensuring this benefit is realized. Residents using the Toronto Transit Commission to get to work, appointments, or events need and deserve accurate estimates if we want to establish transit as a reliable and convenient transportation method. Unfortunately, since the opening of Line 5 we have seen that in-station display screens consistently display inaccurate information. Often, the estimates shown on the screens across the line have no relation to the actual time of arrival for the light rail transit - making it harder to accurately schedule trips and undermining the perception of the line as a reliable option for riders. As the owner of these assets, Metrolinx must develop and implement a plan to improve accuracy of these displays to ensure riders have accurate information. This motion is urgent as the inaccuracy of in-station displays is presently impacting riders across Line 5, and addressing this issue is critical to ensuring the full benefit of the line is realized.