FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Volunteers blitz transit users to reverse TTC service cuts
TTC users were greeted at 20+ transit stops across Toronto on Thursday. Volunteers distributed thousands of flyers with instructions to call Mayor John Tory about proposed cuts, fare increases, and a commercial parking levy to fund climate and transit.
(Toronto, ON) – TTC users were greeted at 20+ transit stops across Toronto on Thursday. Volunteers distributed thousands of flyers with instructions to call Mayor John Tory about proposed cuts, fare increases, and a commercial parking levy to fund climate and transit.
“Mayor John Tory is asking transit users to pay more for less service,” said TTCriders spokesperson and Scarborough resident Zain Khurram. “Service cuts are especially unfair for Scarborough residents because the RT will shut down later this year.”
TTCriders is calling for more investment in TTC service to prevent a 9% service cut compared to pre-pandemic levels, investment to expand the low income Fair Pass transit discount to all low-income residents, and to expand supportive staff rather than police. TTCriders and Toronto Environmental Alliance are calling on City Council to investigate a commercial parking levy to fund climate and transit. Volunteers from TTCriders, Scarborough Campus Students’ Union, Toronto Environmental Alliance, Jane Finch Action Against Poverty, Progress Toronto, and other organizations distributed thousands of flyers instructing transit users to call Mayor Tory.
“Service cuts mean less safety, because you will be waiting longer for your bus, subway, or streetcar late at night,” said Thai Dillon Higashihara, Vice President External of Scarborough Campus Students’ Union. “Cuts mean being late for class, and fare increases mean less money for food, rent, and textbooks.”
"The Mayor and City Council have committed to an ambitious climate plan. In order to meet that plan, we need innovative funding tools to reverse TTC cuts and to invest in transit for all,” said Toronto Environmental Alliance climate campaigner How-Sen Chong. “Cities around the world use commercial parking levies to fund city services. It's time Toronto follow suit and implement an equitable commercial parking levy to fund the TTC."
Toronto City Council votes on the budget Tuesday, February 14, 2023. TTCriders will hold a public townhall on February 9, 2023 to bring together transit users, transit workers, and other experts to discuss the investments that will make a safer city and TTC.
Quick facts:
Read our letter in support of bus-only lanes and other transit priority measures on Queens Quay East, Parliament Street and Front Street West to ensure thousands of residents along growing waterfront communities and students attending George Brown College have reliable bus service.