MEDIA RELEASE: Put the brakes on subway takeover: riders group

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

> Put the brakes on subway takeover: riders group February 12, 2019 (Toronto, ON) — Transit advocacy group TTCriders says the Terms of Reference released by the City and Province on subway upload negotiations is missing two crucial aspects: the City’s capacity to oppose it and the principle of affordability. “Premier Ford hasn’t convinced anyone that stealing the subway will deliver better transit,” said Shelagh Pizey-Allen. “This city’s transit riders deserve much better.” “The best way to make transit affordable and fix overcrowding and delays is to fund operations,” said Pizey-Allen. “If the province steals the subway, riders will lose out with higher fares, a crumbling subway system, and less say. The only people who stand to benefit from the plan are developers, who will get handed public land on top of stations.” The provincial transit agency, Metrolinx, is exploring charging higher fares for riding the subway. “People who can’t keep up with the increasing fares will get stuck on the bus, while others get premium service on the subway,” said Pizey-Allen. “They’ve also considered a fare-by-distance model, which would leave residents in Scarborough and Etobicoke paying more.” “There’s nothing in the Terms of Reference about making sure transit is accessible for everyone in this city.” TTCriders is also raising the alarm that the Terms of Reference scraps the City’s ability to refuse the upload plan. “We, residents of and riders in Toronto, have the right to say ‘No’,” said Pizey-Allen.

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CONTACT Shelagh Pizey-Allen, 416-799-0760, [email protected]

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