Majority of transit users in favour of expanding King Street pilot project to Queen Street: survey

It’s been over a year since the launch of the King Street pilot project and a new study reveals that some people would like to see the transit project replicated on another high traffic street.

The study, conducted by POTLUC, found 51 per cent would be in favour of bringing the controversial transit project — which gives priority to streetcars and limits driving traffic — to Queen Street.

The idea won over transit users, cyclists and pedestrians with “yes” winning in all three categories.

However, drivers overwhelmingly were against the idea, with 91 per cent saying the project should not be brought to Queen Street.

The pilot project, which started in November 2017, restricts vehicle traffic to driving the length of one block on King Street both ways from Jarvis Street to Bathurst Street.

The study found the project has meant a much improved experience for transit riders, cyclists and pedestrians.

Seventy-six per cent of respondents said they actually visit the businesses along King Street as often or more often since the launch of the pilot project in November 2017 — with 32 per cent saying they visit multiple times a week.

The study found people using public transportation and those who walk on King Street West are the area’s most frequent visitors.

On the flip side, car users were the least frequent visitors of the shops and services in the area since the transit pilot was put in place — 25 per cent visit less than once a month and 31 per cent never visit, compared to 13 per cent and 11 per cent, respectively, before the pilot started.

The most common reasons behind drivers abandoning the area were “difficult to drive there” and “hard to find parking.”

The data was compiled from 2,062 surveys completed by Toronto residents, conducted from August 17 to September 10, 2018. The company did not provide a margin of error for the survey.

King Street Pilot Project Survey by CityNewsToronto on Scribd