The 2019 TTC Budget was released this morning and confirmed what we expected: the TTC is planning to hike fares starting April 1, 2019. But it's not too late to put the pressure on City Council and demand a properly funded TTC:
Top three takeaways from the 2019 budget
Top three takeaways from the 2019 budget
- Send a message to your City Councillor about the need for proper TTC funding.
- Sign up to speak at Thursdays' TTC Board meeting.
- Make calls with us to mobilize transit riders this Monday.
- Come out to our deputation training on Saturday February 2nd.
1. The budget doesn't move the needle
- Last year's budget increased by 7% over the previous year, but the 2019 budget only recommends a 3% increase. The TTC remains the least-subsidized transit system in North America, compared to similar major systems.
- Existing TTC strategies like the Ridership Growth Strategy (RGS) and Express Bus Network Plan are missing in action. We're still waiting for a fully-funded Ridership Growth Strategy that would implement bold service improvements to fix overcrowding, like an expansion of the frequent service network and surface priority measures across the city.
- All transit riders, including students and seniors, are facing a 10-cent increase to single fares.
- The new Fair Pass is being undermined with a 5-cent fare hike, before its been fully implemented for people receiving childcare and housing subsidies and living on low incomes. City Council must fund the next phases in 2019.
- Increases have been proposed for all monthly passes, ranging from $3.90 for the Fair Pass to $5.70 for seniors and students.
- The TTC's capital plan revealed that total unfunded cost of capital investments to maintain our subway system and stations totals $16.18 billion over 15 years, or $1.08 billion per year. The province said it would provide $160 million annually for maintenance costs if it steals our subway, leaving a gap of nearly $1 billion dollars in unfunded annual costs.
2019 TTC Operating Budget: https://www.ttc.ca/About_the_TTC/Commission_reports_and_information/Commission_meetings/2019/January_24/Reports/11_2019_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgets.pdf
TTC 15-Year Capital Investment Plan & 2019 – 2028 Capital Budget & Plan: https://www.ttc.ca/About_the_TTC/Commission_reports_and_information/Commission_meetings/2019/January_24/Reports/10_TTC_15_Year_CIP_2019_2028_Capital_Budget.pdf