November 16, 2021

Mayor Tory must act now to stop TTC cuts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TTC quietly releases plan for service cuts

November 16, 2021 (Toronto, ON) — The Toronto Transit Commission has posted a service update to their website without a public announcement, which details plans for widespread service reductions beginning November 21, 2021. TTCriders, a membership organization of transit users in Toronto, released the following statement:

“Cutting service is a total failure of leadership from all levels of government. Mayor Tory must immediately extend the vaccine mandate deadline and the federal, provincial, and City governments must act now to extend emergency transit operating funding. The TTC could implement interim measures such as regular testing while it conducts a hiring blitz and continued education about vaccination. TTC cuts are not an option. Cuts will cause chaos for working people who depend on the TTC every day to get to work, school, and groceries. The TTC has had months to prepare for a labour shortage, but has been operating “just enough” service due to underfunding. The TTC should be trying to win back riders. Cutting service now will have long-term negative consequences for the climate and every Toronto resident, because those who can afford to will switch to cars. Riders need reliable, frequent service and lower fares now, not cuts." Transit users have already been reporting long wait times and missing buses in recent weeks, and analysis by transit expert Steve Munro suggests that the TTC has been short-staffed and not operating all of their scheduled service since September 2021.

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Link to planned TTC service reductions: https://www.ttc.ca/service-advisories/service-changes/TTC-service-changes Link to analysis of September 2021 TTC service levels by Steve Munro, independent transit expert: https://stevemunro.ca/2021/11/14/service-reliability-on-94-wellesley-september-2021/

Contact:

Shelagh Pizey-Allen

(416) 309-9026

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