What’s quicker: car or TTC? We have the answer

By Laura Lira

Hearing someone say they would love to have a car is far from being rare. Cars bring freedom, are more convenient, and should save time when you don’t have to wait for buses or the subway. But with today’s traffic, and obstacles that make the life of drivers that much harder, are cars really the fastest option?

There’s another big factor: the subway line extension. Before, students had to get off at Sheppard West Station and take a bus from there to the York University Commons.

But now, they can just stay on the subway, and get to school in approximately 13 minutes from Sheppard West Station. Before, they had to brave the cold, and line up to get the 196 rocket bus, which would bring them to school in 16 minutes. But that does not take into account the wait time or how long you took to exercise your legs while you rushed up the stairs hoping that the bus would wait that extra second for you.

Let’s put it to the test. We sent two groups to Dufferin Station. And they would both have to come back to Seneca College, departing at the same time: 1:15 pm. Jason and Simona, group A, was driving. Amol and Cristina, group B, took the subway. Here’s a detailed description of the adventure:

1 – Google Maps says that the subway ride from Dufferin to York University Station should take about 45 minutes.

2 – Waze says that the car trip should take 33 minutes.

 

3 –  At 1:29 pm, group A got off the highway. What seemed promising, became a nightmare when he got to the picket line.

 

4 – At 1:31 pm, group B as at St. Clair W station. They got lucky. No delays or emergency alarms activated.

5 – 1:55, group B got to York University Station. And it took them two minutes to walk to the entrance of Seneca College.

6 – While I was talking to the winners, Amol told me that Jason and Simona had been at the picket line for 30 minutes.

7 – Finally free, group A arrives at the entrance of Seneca College at 02:19 pm. After 45 minutes of stagnation.

8 – Yes, folks, it seems like this was The Ant and the Grasshoper type of situation.