FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TTCriders says sale of TTC public land a rip-off
(Toronto, ON) January 11, 2018 - TTCriders is concerned about Transportation Minister Jeff Yurek’s recent statement that the province will sell the “air rights” over every subway station to developers if its plan to take over aspects of the TTC succeeds.
“The province has been telling us they want to split up our transit system to make it more efficient, but this reveals their true agenda,” said Mike Sullivan, TTCriders board member, former Member of Parliament, and member of the federal transportation committee. “Yurek’s statement provides a glimpse at the province’s real intention of robbing the TTC of its most valuable parts: subway lines and the public land above them.”
Michael Lindsay, the special advisor appointed to assess a potential takeover of Toronto’s subway system, put together a first report for the province, which was kept from the public. In an interview with the Toronto Star, Yurek said it remains confidential because there are “commercially sensitive” aspects in the report that would “affect somebody getting a leg up on potential sales.”
TTCriders echoes the concerns of many residents and riders about the province prioritizing the bottom lines of developers over improving Toronto’s public transit system.
“The best way to improve our transit system is to fund it properly,” said Sullivan.
TTCriders is holding regular canvasses at transit stops across Toronto to inform transit riders about the pitfalls of a split transit system and the potential for a two-tier fare structure.
Contact:
Daniel Tseghay
647-220-9739
TTCriders asked all federal MP candidates from the four major parties about their commitments to public transit. Read their responses to our transit policy survey and see where your candidates stand on improving public transit!
Transit and environmental groups across Canada have released the results of a policy survey on public transit commitments from federal parties. Candidates from the Liberal, New Democrat, and Green Parties provided responses or shared commitments in their party platform. See where federal parties stand on key transit issues ahead of this election!