The Sheppard subway must be extended. But so must the SRT be rehabilitated or reconstructed and the York University line be built. All are worthy projects, and all will significantly benefit the city, in my view.

What we really need at this point is a rapid transit master plan that would outline all the necessary elements in building an efficient and effective network (rather than a series of individual, disconnected lines all primarily focused on downtown where only about 10 per cent of Greater Toronto Area workers work). Network is the key idea here, and should include both the subway and GO rail systems. Such a master plan should be a first step of the new Greater Toronto Area Transit Authority.

Combined with this, we need a charter of who does what within the governmental structure. If such a charter were, for instance, to split funding one-third each between federal, provincial and municipal budgets and a set amount from each group - say $150 million a year - were contributed to a common pot, then a long-term, 30-year funding and construction program could begin that would see new lines built and existing lines undergo major refitting.

The uncertainty of funding and the arguing between individual projects will continue to delay any progress.

Sell the subway to the GTTA. The subway is a GTA asset, not just the City of Toronto. The GTTA could then plan and fund an integrated GO rail and rapid transit subway network. This would take the subway off the city's account books and it could concentrate on the TTC bus/streetcar fleet. Free transfers between surface and subway would still apply.

John Barnes