Regarding option 1, a big challenge with circular routes is that the trains can't make up as much time if they are delayed and if the tracks are shared with other services, can delay other services and has a knock on effect. London's Circle Line comes to mind and the branch to Hammersmith hasn't really helped solve this problem but if done right, a circular line can work but as you said will cost a lot of money for Toronto. Great article BTW!
I like Option 2. It may also be the thing to finally force an indoor pedestrian connection between TTC/GO there as well. Future thoughts if you include a Midtown and Bolton line? I suppose Midtown helps create room at Union as Milton (and maybe other lines) would have trains run that way instead, and avoid the core's bottleneck. Is Bolton not as much of an issue since it wouldn't be a unique trackset into Union?
That was exactly my thinking, a link that would be via the platforms! Bolton is dependent on the existing GO tracks yes. Milton can be rerouted that way, but you still have the issue of getting riders into the core. It may actually be possible to use Milton + Leaside Spur to make that connection though, and also get a city loop out of it!
Regarding option 1, a big challenge with circular routes is that the trains can't make up as much time if they are delayed and if the tracks are shared with other services, can delay other services and has a knock on effect. London's Circle Line comes to mind and the branch to Hammersmith hasn't really helped solve this problem but if done right, a circular line can work but as you said will cost a lot of money for Toronto. Great article BTW!
Thanks Raphael! Thats definitely one of the big challenges!
I like Option 2. It may also be the thing to finally force an indoor pedestrian connection between TTC/GO there as well. Future thoughts if you include a Midtown and Bolton line? I suppose Midtown helps create room at Union as Milton (and maybe other lines) would have trains run that way instead, and avoid the core's bottleneck. Is Bolton not as much of an issue since it wouldn't be a unique trackset into Union?
That was exactly my thinking, a link that would be via the platforms! Bolton is dependent on the existing GO tracks yes. Milton can be rerouted that way, but you still have the issue of getting riders into the core. It may actually be possible to use Milton + Leaside Spur to make that connection though, and also get a city loop out of it!
It would almost be like the return of The Beltline!
Not something I would complain about!