(function(n,e,w,m,o,d){m=n.createElement(e);m.async=1;m.src=w; o=n.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];o.parentNode.insertBefore(m,o); })(document,'script','//engage.newmode.net/embed/1915/15874.js'); Toronto City Council must invest more in the transit budget this year so that these essential steps move forward:
Action: Toronto needs more streetcars & buses
Action: Toronto needs more streetcars & buses
-
Order enough new streetcars and buses
The TTC’s 15-year Capital Investment Plan explains that maintaining the TTC’s current fleet size requires “purchasing between 120 and 160 buses every year to replace retiring vehicles, but there is currently limited bus funding in 2021 and 2022 and no funding thereafter.” So what happens if more funding isn’t approved? The TTC’s “contingency plan” is to “forego service improvements for growth,” or even cut service, if they do not have enough streetcars and buses (read more in the TTC’s 5-Year Service Plan).
-
Fully fund the Fair Pass discount for all people living on low incomes, and implement deeper discounts
The Fair Pass program discounts single fares by 33% and monthly passes by 22% for eligible low income people. The Pass is now available for people receiving OW, ODSP, and childcare fee subsidies, and has successfully increased access to health providers, social programs, and food for current users.
But 27% of people who are eligible for the Fair Pass reported that they cannot afford to use it. Read more about the low income Fair Pass discount and why it needs to be fully funded.
-
Cancel the fare increase planned for 2020 and lower fares for all
A fare increase for Fair Pass users is especially unjust. The monthly Fair Pass rate of $123.25 is more expensive than some regular adult monthly passes in Canadian cities, including Montreal, Calgary, Hamilton, and Ottawa. And 27% of people who are eligible for the Fair Pass report that they cannot afford to use it.
Image: TTC Recommended Fare Increases for 2020
Every fare increase drives even more riders away from the TTC. Toronto has the highest fare-box recovery ratio of any major city in North America, because the TTC continues to be the least-subsidized major transit system.
Image: Social Planning Toronto https://www.socialplanningtoronto.org/good_bad_ugly
-
Increase operating funding so that service is more frequent and more bus lanes are implemented
In December 2019, the TTC approved a 5-year service plan that does not keep up with the transit needs of our city. It includes important recommendations, but even the TTC states that this is a “business as usual” plan and it’s not even close to fully funded: 95% of the plan’s capital costs are NOT funded in the TTC’s 2020-2029 Capital Plan.
TTCriders is calling for dedicated transit lanes on 20+ routes over the next 5 years, starting with the busiest surface routes. Prioritizing transit on our roads is key to improving transit reliability and speed across the city – and it is the fastest, most cost-effective way to do so. Read our full statement on the 5-Year Service Plan.
-
Pay for all maintenance needed to keep the TTC, including the subway system, in a state of good repair
Have an extra five minutes? Call your Councillor!
Sample phone script:“Hello, my name is _______________.
I’m a resident of Toronto living in _______________ (neighbourhood).
I’m calling about transit funding in this year’s City Budget.
I urge you to increase funding to the TTC so that:
- Fares are lowered.
- Enough streetcars and buses are ordered this year.
- The low income Fair Pass program is fully funded this year.
- Riders get more frequent service across the city, including more bus lanes.
- The TTC’s capital plan is funded so that the existing system and vehicles stay in excellent and safe condition.
| City of Toronto | Mayor John Tory | 416-397-2489 | |
| 1 | Etobicoke North | Councillor Michael Ford | 416-397-9255 |
| 2 | Etobicoke Centre | Councillor Stephen Holyday | 416-392-4002 |
| 3 | Etobicoke-Lakeshore | Councillor Mark Grimes | 416-397-9273 |
| 4 | Parkdale-High Park | Councillor Gord Perks | 416-392-7919 |
| 5 | York South-Weston | Councillor Frances Nunziata | 416-392-4091 |
| 6 | York Centre | Councillor James Pasternak | 416-392-1371 |
| 7 | Humber River-Black Creek | Councillor Anthony Perruzza | 416-338-5335 |
| 8 | Eglinton-Lawrence | Councillor Mike Colle | 416-338-2500 |
| 9 | Davenport | Councillor Ana Bailão | 416-392-7012 |
| 10 | Spadina-Fort York | Councillor Joe Cressy | 416-392-4044 |
| 11 | University-Rosedale | Councillor Mike Layton | 416-392-4009 |
| 12 | Toronto-St. Paul’s | Councillor Josh Matlow | 416-392-7906 |
| 13 | Toronto Centre | Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam | 416-392-7903 |
| 14 | Toronto-Danforth | Councillor Paula Fletcher | 416-392-4060 |
| 15 | Don Valley West | Councillor Jaye Robinson | 416-395-6408 |
| 16 | Don Valley East | Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong | 416-397-9256 |
| 17 | Don Valley North | Councillor Shelley Carroll | 416-338-2650 |
| 18 | Willowdale | Councillor John Filion | 416-392-0210 |
| 19 | Beaches-East York | Councillor Brad Bradford | 416-338-2755 |
| 20 | Scarborough Southwest | Councillor Gary Crawford | 416-392-4052 |
| 21 | Scarborough Centre | Councillor Michael Thompson | 416-397-9274 |
| 22 | Scarborough-Agincourt | Councillor Jim Karygiannis | 416-392-1374 |
| 23 | Scarborough North | Councillor Cynthia Lai | 416-338-2858 |
| 24 | Scarborough-Guildwood | Councillor Paul Ainslie | 416-392-4008 |
| 25 | Scarborough-Rouge Park | Councillor Jennifer McKelvie | 416-338-3771 |