Each route is different
I am reasonably familiar with the Finch West area, and can note the following:
- Congestion is a real problem during the peak hours.
- Adding bus lanes won't come very cheap. Even though the public right of way is wide (except for a short section next to Yonge), the street is mostly 4-lanes wide. Adding two extra lanes, whether for LRT or for busway, will cost quite a bit and cause considerable disruption.
- Ridership is pretty high already, and if it grows significantly once the ROW is introduced, the physical capacity limit of the single-file busway system might be exceeded. An artic bus can probably carry 150 or 200 people, whereas a 2-car LRT train will be able to carry 350.
- LRT is more expensive to built, but is cheaper to operate when the ridership is high.
Therefore, I believe that LRT is the best solution for Finch West.
Sheppard East might be another matter. I am not familiar with the area, but from what I read on this forum, the planned LRT might not be the best solution. A better solution for only moderately higher cost could be as follows:
- Section between Yonge and Agincourt served by the extended Sheppard subway.
- Agincourt to Markham Rd has dedicated bus lanes.
- Markham Rd to Neilson has combined bus / LRT lanes to accomodate the STC - Malvern light rail line.
- East of Neilson, buses just continue in mixed traffic, and the existing branches are preserved (to the Zoo and to Port Credit / Rouge Hill).