And yet Sheppard E is getting an LRT line when that region has much more current (and future) transit demand, density, and destinations.
Well, firstly, it's not a zero sum game. I support an extension of Sheppard and, for that matter, think it should go to Downsview.
I don't think there's a simple answer, assuming there's an infinite pot of money but I do think there is some value, if you really want to curb sprawl in having some sort of high-order transit in place for a new, pedestrian/transit-oriented community.
Furthermore it's not like these destinations are right next to each other. The walk from Vaughan mills to the Wonderland entrance is almost 2 km about the same distance as walking from Dundas Square to Yonge/Bloor (and passing 4 subway stations along the way). There is simply no argument that a single subway station (in absence of supplementary transport) can serve such a large region.
Fair enough. I'm not saying I've done an EA for such an extension. In theory I suppose I'd advocate a station under Vaughan Mills with some sort of shuttle but you are correct that something like an LRT north of Hwy. 7 could make as much, if not more, sense. If it WAS a zero sum game, I'd happily trade the Yonge extension to Hwy. 7 for anything further on Spadina - that seems like more of a long-term goal if anything.
With Metrolinx taking over some kind of directive role in transit planning for the GTA it's not enough to say that York Region asked for a subway to VCC (and further to Major Mackenzie) while Toronto asked for an LRT along Sheppard E. It is Metrolinx's job (or should be) to now look at individual transit agencies plans and analyze the best way to distribute funds to benefit the whole region. York Region might want a subway but Metrolinx may look at the situation and decide that there is a better way to deploy resources.
We certainly hope we'll do that, and it should be what they are doing for the remaining Big Move projects as we speak.
The VCC was pre-Metrolinx and while we'd all like to see some sort of objective planning, clearly politics is going to enter the fray at some point. Sheppard being an LRT over a subway is a case in point.
Metrolinx has to defer some authority to the actual municipalities and Toronto wrote "LRT" on whatever napkin they drew up Transit City on, so that's that.
A further VCC extension isn't even in their 25-year plan so I doubt you have anything to worry about, unless some Vaughan developers decide to foot the bill themselves.
They could always short turn trains. In York Region, the Viva Blue has two main branches (3 technically, but the third one is not important). The main branch goes from Finch station to Newmarket terminal, while an additional rush hour branch goes from Finch station to Bernard terminal in Richmond Hill.
Someone can correct me but I'm pretty sure the plan is to short turn half the Spadina trains at Steeles, no?
That was definitely in the planning literature for the Yonge extension.