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Next stop on Yonge line . . . 'Home Depot'?
several people, myself included, have been suggesting this for some time now.
If the various levels of gov't can't/won't fund our woefully inadequate public transit system, then let's get the private sector involved! (so long as it's 'naming rights' alone, along with retail space, etc. and no 'control' over the stations/service/etc).
I think this is a great idea...though retaining certain stops, named for historical reasons, is fine too. But do we care if it's "College", "Dundas" or "Home Depot", "Rogers"? no!
http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/417766
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Next stop on Yonge line . . . 'Home Depot'?
TTC studies feasibility of naming subway stations after major corporations to raise operating funds
Apr 24, 2008 04:30 AM
Tess Kalinowski
Transportation Reporter
McDonald's station? Pepsi subway?
The TTC has agreed to study the feasibility of selling corporate naming rights to subway stations as a way to raise money.
The controversial request for a study of practices in other cities came from commissioner Peter Milczyn, who cited an ad from the Middle East city of Dubai inviting corporations to "Turn your brand into a destination" by buying rights to two new transit lines and 23 stations being built there.
"If one of the wealthiest jurisdictions in the world is looking at doing this, we should at least look at it," he said.
Saying "beggers can't be choosers," Milczyn noted the TTC is embarking on an ambitious expansion while struggling to raise operating funds.
But TTC vice-chair Joe Mihevc called the study a waste of time and said the idea will probably die a quick death when it comes back to the commission later this year.
"It is absolutely outrageous to be corporatizing our important public spaces," he said. "The question Torontonians need to ask themselves is: Do we want Wal-Mart station? Do we want McDonald's station? Do we want Canadian Tire, Home Depot station? I don't think Torontonians want to go there."
Mihevc raised the issue of renaming some stations six or seven years ago because he believes Dupont station should be renamed for Casa Loma, the city's third-largest tourist draw.
"That's not corporatizing the name. That is making sure the landmark of Casa Loma is linked to the appropriate station because it is helpful to tourists," he said.
TTC chair Adam Giambrone said he's against selling station names and prefers the kind of public-philanthropic partnership, through the Toronto Community Foundation, that paid for redesigning Museum station in a theme reflecting the ROM's collections.
He said the city's 50-year-old policy of naming stations for intersecting streets is appropriate and clear.
Advertising on the transit system brings in $15 million to $20 million a year. TTC also accepted a donation of $85,000 from Capital One this year to offer free service on New Year's Eve. |
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Re: Next stop on Yonge line . . . 'Home Depot'?
