Toronto Environmental Alliance

An environmental group says Toronto should stick with its plans for light-rail transit to the suburbs, calling it the "greener way" of travel.

The study released Tuesday by the Toronto Environmental Alliance appeals to the city's new councillors and mayor-elect Rob Ford.

During the mayoral campaign, Ford said streetcars were not the answer to Toronto's transit needs and said he also wanted to halt the plan to build light-rail lines.

Ford has since backed away from the remark, saying he would not cancel any order that would "cost the taxpayers an arm and a leg."

The report urges the city to develop an analysis of smog emissions from current practices.

It also wants the city to continue with implementing the 2007 Transit City Plan, unless another solution can demonstrate a greater reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.