The Week at Toronto City Hall for the week of January 29 through February 2, 2024 grapples with fact that 3% of businesses account for 57% of employment, plus Mayor Olivia Chow presents her budget
1) Not sure if this is your wheelhouse but I would love to see you some reporting on the (non)enforcement of the King Street rapid streetcar program since it would be very relevant to other rapid bus lanes. The rapid bus lanes are an essential, brilliant, low-cost Transit solution and absolutely should be implemented. However, they will make no difference at all if they are not enforced. The King Street project was a terrific success initially but, due to a lack of enforcement, we seem to be right back where we started.
2) As a paid subscriber, I have no issue seeing ads in your substack but I really really really wish they weren't from companies like Uber!
Definitely keeping a close eye on the King Street project. It was a rare good-news story when it was piloted and I loved analyzing the data. It's sad how quickly they squandered it. Stay tuned.
Ads are a bit of an experiment for a few months. I don't sell them — I leave that to Sean, so I'm as surprised as anyone at who has interest in buying spots. But definitely appreciate the feedback!
To be clear, I'm fine with the ads. I just really hate Uber!
I would really like to see the city do more projects like the King Street project but I think that a commitment to enforcement should be built into those projects.
Hah, fair enough! And agree -- I think an automated enforcement system is a requirement because it's hard to have faith that the police will ever really make a sustained effort.
Could also do a better job with infrastructure changes that encourage compliance too. Physical barriers are always gonna be more effective than signs.
I don't really love the uber ads. do what you need to to monetize, i guess. but perception goes a
long way-especially in a substack who's credibility is so well-earned.
makes me wonder if CHW would be compromised in providing any supplemental info about uber and/or references to related substacks analyzing their super duper power plays in the halls of city hall or queen's park (e.g., what's going on in other municipalities and jurisdictions). kinda weird, matt reports on uber's lobbying activities and then uber determines it's a viable advertising medium to sway a group of fairly dedicated city hall followers that there are mistruths abound. CHW = increases transparency and discussion on city hall politics and then advertises on behalf of the most prolific lobbyists. weird and yucky
Appreciate the feedback! This ad-supported thing is brand new territory for me — call it an experiment.
I've hived off the ad part of the biz to Sean. We take the separation of church and state seriously around here! But I'm keeping an eye on how readers are responding and will make any adjustments necessary to make sure people feel confident in my writing and reporting. That's always my priority.
Two things:
1) Not sure if this is your wheelhouse but I would love to see you some reporting on the (non)enforcement of the King Street rapid streetcar program since it would be very relevant to other rapid bus lanes. The rapid bus lanes are an essential, brilliant, low-cost Transit solution and absolutely should be implemented. However, they will make no difference at all if they are not enforced. The King Street project was a terrific success initially but, due to a lack of enforcement, we seem to be right back where we started.
2) As a paid subscriber, I have no issue seeing ads in your substack but I really really really wish they weren't from companies like Uber!
Hey Geoff,
Definitely keeping a close eye on the King Street project. It was a rare good-news story when it was piloted and I loved analyzing the data. It's sad how quickly they squandered it. Stay tuned.
Ads are a bit of an experiment for a few months. I don't sell them — I leave that to Sean, so I'm as surprised as anyone at who has interest in buying spots. But definitely appreciate the feedback!
Hey Matt,
To be clear, I'm fine with the ads. I just really hate Uber!
I would really like to see the city do more projects like the King Street project but I think that a commitment to enforcement should be built into those projects.
Hah, fair enough! And agree -- I think an automated enforcement system is a requirement because it's hard to have faith that the police will ever really make a sustained effort.
Could also do a better job with infrastructure changes that encourage compliance too. Physical barriers are always gonna be more effective than signs.
I don't really love the uber ads. do what you need to to monetize, i guess. but perception goes a
long way-especially in a substack who's credibility is so well-earned.
makes me wonder if CHW would be compromised in providing any supplemental info about uber and/or references to related substacks analyzing their super duper power plays in the halls of city hall or queen's park (e.g., what's going on in other municipalities and jurisdictions). kinda weird, matt reports on uber's lobbying activities and then uber determines it's a viable advertising medium to sway a group of fairly dedicated city hall followers that there are mistruths abound. CHW = increases transparency and discussion on city hall politics and then advertises on behalf of the most prolific lobbyists. weird and yucky
Hey Mark,
Appreciate the feedback! This ad-supported thing is brand new territory for me — call it an experiment.
I've hived off the ad part of the biz to Sean. We take the separation of church and state seriously around here! But I'm keeping an eye on how readers are responding and will make any adjustments necessary to make sure people feel confident in my writing and reporting. That's always my priority.
v. nice