Toronto traffic, transit congestion likely to worsen with in-office mandates: experts | CBC News

"Greater Toronto commuters are likely bracing for traffic and transit congestion to worsen over the coming months as a number of major employers get ready to increase in-office days. Even before return-to-office mandates take effect, experts say vehicle traffic in the city is at a tipping point, while delays, construction and public safety concerns plague the public transit system."

""I think people should be very concerned, both policy-makers and commuters themselves, about the impact that a back-to-work mandate is going to have on the commute," said Jennifer Keesmaat, a former chief planner for the City of Toronto. "We were already hitting a tipping point because transit ridership has decreased and so many people are getting in their cars.""

""Street parking, bike lanes, and in-street patio spaces during the summer months all contribute to clogged city streets, he noted. This issue, Gherson said, is made worse by more than one million additional vehicles driving on Toronto roads over the past two decades.""

"Some of Canada's big banks, including BMO, RBC, TD and Scotiabank, have all stated that more workers will be required to be in the office four days a week beginning in the fall. Some of the reasons cited by the banks include operational improvements and opportunities for collaboration."

Traffic and public transit in Greater Toronto face worsening congestion as major employers plan increased in-office days. Vehicle traffic is at a tipping point because transit ridership has decreased and many people are driving, and many Canadian cities lack sufficient road capacity for even small increases in vehicle volumes. Congestion concentrates on relatively few arterial roads and is exacerbated by street parking, bike lanes and seasonal in-street patios. More than one million additional vehicles have been added to Toronto roads over two decades. Transit systems also experience delays, construction and public safety concerns. Several large banks will require staff in-office four days weekly, citing operational improvements and collaboration.

Read at www.cbc.ca