A Preview of the TTC's June 8th Meeting

The Toronto Transit Commission meets on June 8th at 1:00 pm with a packed agenda.  Here are some of the big items before the Commission on Wednesday:

  • A preliminary 2012 Operating Budget showing a shortfall of at least $39 million. This shortfall doesn't include the added costs of collective bargaining after the TTC has been declared an essential service. This new reality could add another $20 or $30 million in expenses to the operating budget.
  • A preliminary Capital Budget that shows an unfunded gap in the state of good repair of our existing transit system of more than $1.3 Billion over the next 5 years. The Capital budget report states that this shortfall is "a continuation of the long term pattern of  insufficient long-term capital funding for the TTC's capital needs."   Perhaps it's time Mayor Ford called his good friend Minister Flaherty about the need for a National Transit Strategy to pay for public transit in Toronto and other Canadian cities?
  • A report to approve PRESTO as the new electronic fare collection method at the TTC. To date less than half of the money needed to implement PRESTO across the TTC has been found. Those in charge of are hoping "creativity" will help find the $160 million needed to proceed with the PRESTO smart cards.
It is also important to note what's missing from the TTC's agenda.  To date the agenda includes no mention of any report from Toronto Transit Infrastructure Limited (TTIL) on the so-called "business case" being developed to find the near $5 Billion needed to pay for Mayor Ford's Sheppard subway. Originally this business case was to be developed for a June deadline in order to apply to the Federal Government's PPP Canada fund. Given the recent  musing of  TTIL CEO Gordon Chong on the need for road tolls and other revenue tools, many TTCriders are likely  eager to hear what TTIL's plans are.

To attend this TTC meeting in person come to Committee Room 2, 2nd Floor, City Hall (100 Queen Street West) for 1:00pm.

Latest posts

How are your Don Valley West candidates promising to improve public transit?

We’ve asked candidates whether they’ll invest in more TTC service, protect door-to-door Wheel-Trans service, expand TTC’s low-income discount, approve fare capping and more. View candidates’ detailed answers to our survey, information about their transit platforms, and more.

Letter & Survey: TTC must exchange expired tokens and tickets

Do you still have TTC tokens or paper senior/student tickets or day passes? The TTC has announced that they will stop accepting TTC tokens and paper tickets after December 31, 2024. But the TTC will not be issuing exchanges. This is unfair to people who have saved up tokens and tickets, especially low-income seniors. Gift cards and permanent stamps never expire --  why are transit fares any different?

“Rally to Fix the TTC” calls for investment in repairing subway slow zones during National Transit Week

(Toronto, ON) – Transit advocacy organization TTCriders will hold a rally today at 5:00pm outside Bathurst Subway Station to call on federal Members of Parliament to invest in TTC repairs and new subway trains on Line 2 by accelerating implementation of the Canada Public Transit Fund. The rally is part of a national “Transit Action Week” being organized in 5 Canadian cities. (Cantonese, Mandarin, French spokespeople available.)

Take action

Add your name for Fare Capping!
Tell Your MP: Sign the Transit Pledge
Bus lanes now
Protect Wheel-Trans Service
Keep and Expand Free TTC Wi-Fi!

Connect with us