180 Bloor Street W., #1400 Toronto, ON M5S 2V6 T 416.960.9600 F 416.960.9602 forumresearch.com 1 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Torontonians prefer subways to LRT Public opts both for subways overall and for detailed subway plan Toronto, February 13 th , 2012 – In a recent survey conducted by Forum Research among Toronto residents aged 18 years or older, it was found that the majority of residents prefer a subway-based transit plan over an aboveground LRT-based transit plan (57%, compared to 38%. 5% of those polled approve of neither). Not surprisingly, the significant majority of those who approve of the job Rob Ford is doing as mayor preferred a subway-based transit plan (80%; compared to 39% that disapprove). Toronto residents who usually drive to get to work or school, as opposed to those who take the TTC, were also significantly more likely to back a subway-based plan (65% compared to 53% who rely on public transit). Residents of Toronto / East York were significantly more likely to prefer an LRT- based plan when compared to residents living in all other areas of Toronto (50%; compared to 37% North York, 31% Scarborough, 28% Etobicoke / York). Of the two transit plans proposed for Toronto, residents prefer the plan where two subways would be built, one along Eglinton Avenue and one along Sheppard Avenue East to Scarborough Town Centre with an Express Busway operating along Finch Avenue West (48%), with another four of 10 residents backing the plan that would have four above-ground Light Rail Transit lines built along Eglinton Avenue, Sheppard Avenue, Finch Avenue and one to replace the Scarborough Rapid Transit line (41%). One in 10 residents polled did not have an opinion on the matter (10%). Residents of Toronto / East York were significantly more likely to back the LRT plan when compared to residents living in all other areas of Toronto (55%; compared to 40% Scarborough, 34% North York, and 33% Etobicoke / York) Again, to little surprise, those who approve of the job Rob Ford is doing as Mayor of Toronto were significantly more likely to back the subway based transit plan (75%; compared to 28% that disapprove), as were Toronto residents who usually drive to get to work or school as opposed to those who take the TTC (58% compared to 41% who rely on public transit). Most want Eglinton LRT in Scarborough underground The recent poll also asked Toronto residents if they think the Scarborough portion of the Eglinton LRT should be built above ground on a dedicated right of way in the middle of Eglinton Avenue, or below ground like a subway. It was found that most residents polled think the Eglinton LRT in Scarborough should be MEDIA INQUIRIES: Lorne Bozinoff, President [email protected]416.960.9603 TORONTO February 13 th , 2012 HIGHLIGHTS: • It was found that the majority of residents prefer a subway-based transit plan over an aboveground LRT-based transit plan (57%, compared to 38%. 5% of those polled approve of neither). • Of the two transit plans proposed for Toronto resident prefer the plan where two subways would be built, one along Eglinton Avenue and one along Sheppard Avenue East to Scarborough Town Centre with an Express Busway operating along Finch Avenue West (48%), with another four of 10 residents backing the plan that would have four above-ground Light Rail Transit lines would be built along Eglinton Avenue, Sheppard Avenue, Finch Avenue and one to replace the Scarborough Rapid Transit line (41%).
Transcript
180 Bloor Street W., #1400
Toronto, ON M5S 2V6
T 416.960.9600
F 416.960.9602
forumresearch.com
1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Torontonians prefer subways to LRT
Public opts both for subways overall and for detailed subway plan
Toronto, February 13th, 2012 – In a recent survey conducted by Forum Research
among Toronto residents aged 18 years or older, it was found that the majority
of residents prefer a subway-based transit plan over an aboveground LRT-based
transit plan (57%, compared to 38%. 5% of those polled approve of neither). Not
surprisingly, the significant majority of those who approve of the job Rob Ford is
doing as mayor preferred a subway-based transit plan (80%; compared to 39%
that disapprove). Toronto residents who usually drive to get to work or school,
as opposed to those who take the TTC, were also significantly more likely to back
a subway-based plan (65% compared to 53% who rely on public transit).
Residents of Toronto / East York were significantly more likely to prefer an LRT-
based plan when compared to residents living in all other areas of Toronto (50%;
compared to 37% North York, 31% Scarborough, 28% Etobicoke / York).
Of the two transit plans proposed for Toronto, residents prefer the plan where
two subways would be built, one along Eglinton Avenue and one along Sheppard
Avenue East to Scarborough Town Centre with an Express Busway operating
along Finch Avenue West (48%), with another four of 10 residents backing the
plan that would have four above-ground Light Rail Transit lines built along
Eglinton Avenue, Sheppard Avenue, Finch Avenue and one to replace the
Scarborough Rapid Transit line (41%). One in 10 residents polled did not have an
opinion on the matter (10%). Residents of Toronto / East York were significantly
more likely to back the LRT plan when compared to residents living in all other
areas of Toronto (55%; compared to 40% Scarborough, 34% North York, and 33%
Etobicoke / York) Again, to little surprise, those who approve of the job Rob Ford
is doing as Mayor of Toronto were significantly more likely to back the subway
based transit plan (75%; compared to 28% that disapprove), as were Toronto
residents who usually drive to get to work or school as opposed to those who
take the TTC (58% compared to 41% who rely on public transit).
Most want Eglinton LRT in Scarborough underground
The recent poll also asked Toronto residents if they think the Scarborough
portion of the Eglinton LRT should be built above ground on a dedicated right of
way in the middle of Eglinton Avenue, or below ground like a subway. It was
found that most residents polled think the Eglinton LRT in Scarborough should be
• It was found that the majority of residents prefer a subway-based transit plan over an aboveground LRT-based transit plan (57%, compared to 38%. 5% of those polled approve of neither).
• Of the two transit plans proposed for Toronto resident prefer the plan where two subways would be built, one along Eglinton Avenue and one along Sheppard Avenue East to Scarborough Town Centre with an Express Busway operating along Finch Avenue West (48%), with another four of 10 residents backing the plan that would have four above-ground Light Rail Transit lines would be built along Eglinton Avenue, Sheppard Avenue, Finch Avenue and one to replace the Scarborough Rapid Transit line (41%).
180 Bloor Street W., #1400
Toronto, ON M5S 2V6
T 416.960.9600
F 416.960.9602
forumresearch.com
2
built below ground like a subway (52%; compared to 40% who think it should be
built above ground on a dedicated right of way. 8% did not have an opinion on
the matter).Those who approve of the job Ford is doing as Mayor were
significantly more likely to back it being built below ground like a subway (75%;
compared to 34% that disapprove), as were residents who typically drive to get
to work or school as opposed to taking public transit (63%; compared to 45%).
Support for an above-ground solution was strongest among residents of the
former Toronto / East York when compared to those residing in all other regions
of Toronto (53%; compared to 38% North York, 33% Scarborough, and 32%
Etobicoke / York).
Two thirds want referendum on transit
When it comes to the current transit debate in Toronto it was found that just
fewer than two of three residents think there should be a public referendum on
the issue to determine which plan the city should go forward with (63%;
compared to 37% that do not think a referendum is necessary). Those that
approve of the job Ford is doing as Mayor were significantly more likely to think a
referendum is necessary when compared to those who do not approve (69%;
compared to 58%), along with residents under the age of 34 (70% 18-34, 61% 45-
44, 61% 45-54, 54% 55-64, 60% 65+), female residents (67%; compared to 58% of
males), and those wither a lower household income (78% <$20K, 75% $20K-
$40K, 68% $40K-$60K, 59% $60K-$80K, 50% $80K-$100K, and 49% $100K+).
Toronto residents that live in Toronto / East York were significantly more likely to
think a referendum isn’t necessary when compared to those living in other areas
in Toronto (52%; compared to 32% North York, 31% Etobicoke / York, and 29%
Scarborough).
Mayor Ford's approval on the rise
Overall, just over four of 10 residents approve of the job Rob Ford is doing as
Mayor of Toronto (43%). Approval was significantly higher among older residents
(33% 18-34, 42% 45-44, 45% 45-54, 51% 55-64, 57% 65+), among those who
primarily drive to get to work or school opposed to taking public transit (50%,
compared to 36%). Not surprisingly, residents of Toronto / East York were
significantly more likely to disapprove of the job Ford is doing when compared to
those living in other regions in Toronto (67%; compared to 54% Scarborough,
• It was found that most residents polled think the Eglinton LRT in Scarborough should be built below like a subway (52%)
• When it comes to the current transit debate in Toronto it was found that just fewer than two of three residents think there should be a public referendum on the issue to determine which plan the city should go forward with (63%; compared to 37% that do not think a referendum is necessary).
• Overall, just over four of 10 residents approve of the job Rob Ford is doing as Mayor of Toronto (43%).
• The recent poll also asked Toronto residents if they approve of the job Karen Stintz is doing as TTC Chair and it was found that she is faring better than Mayor Ford with an approval rating of 53%, half of those polled.
180 Bloor Street W., #1400
Toronto, ON M5S 2V6
T 416.960.9600
F 416.960.9602
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One half approve of Karen Stintz as TTC Chair
The recent poll also asked Toronto residents if they approve of the job Karen
Stintz is doing as TTC Chair and it was found that she is faring better than Mayor
Ford with an approval rating of 53%. Not surprisingly, those that approve of the
job Rob Ford is doing as Mayor were significantly more likely to give Karen Stintz
a higher disapproval rating when compared to those that disapprove of the job
Ford is doing (67%; compared to 32%). Approval for Stintz was also significantly
higher among residents of Toronto / East York (64%; compared to 51% North
York, 48% Etobicoke / York, 44% Scarborough).
Mayor Ford would lose to Karen Stintz in election; would win 3-way race
The recent poll also asked Toronto residents who they would vote for if a
municipal election were held today with Mayor Rob Ford and Karen Stintz as the
only candidates and it was found that Stintz would narrowly edge out Ford (44%;
compared to 40% for Ford, with 17% undecided). It was also found that if Adam
Vaughan was thrown into the mix Rob Ford would come out on top (37%,
compared to 30% for Adam Vaughan, and 18% for Karen Stintz, with 16%
undecided).
“With the ongoing debate about transit in the city of Toronto, we thought it
important to take the pulse of Toronto residents on the issue.” said Forum Research
president Dr. Lorne Bozinoff. “Based on this data, the people of Toronto would opt
for a subway-based plan if they were given the option and two of three residents
think the issue should be put up to a referendum. It looks like city council is facing
an uphill battle with the public on this issue and it will be interesting to see how the
• If a municipal election were held today with Mayor Rob Ford and Karen Stintz as the only candidates and it was found that Stintz would narrowly edge out Ford (44%; compared to 40% for Ford).
• “With the ongoing debate about transit in the city of Toronto, we thought it important to take the pulse of Toronto residents on the issue.” said Forum Research president Dr. Lorne Bozinoff. “Based on this data, the people of Toronto would opt for a subway-based plan if they were given the option and two of three residents think the issue should be put up to a referendum. It looks like city council is facing an uphill battle with the public on this issue and it will be interesting to see how the issue unfolds in the weeks and months to come.”
180 Bloor Street W., #1400
Toronto, ON M5S 2V6
T 416.960.9600
F 416.960.9602
forumresearch.com
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180 Bloor Street W., #1400
Toronto, ON M5S 2V6
T 416.960.9600
F 416.960.9602
forumresearch.com
5
Methodology
The poll was conducted by Forum Research with the results based on an
interactive voice response telephone survey of 1,547 randomly selected Toronto
residents aged 18 or older. The poll was conducted on February 12th, 2012.
Results based on the total sample are considered accurate +/- 2.5%, 19 times out
of 20. Subsample results will be less accurate. Margins of error for subsample
(such as age, gender) results are available at
www.forumresearch.com/samplestim.asp.
Where appropriate, the data has been statistically weighted to ensure that the
sample reflects the actual population according to the latest Census data.
This research is not necessarily predictive of future outcomes, but rather,
captures opinion at one point in time. Forum Research conducted this poll as a
public service and to demonstrate our survey research capabilities.
With offices across Canada and around the world, 100% Canadian-owned Forum
Research is one of the country’s leading survey research firms.
