TTCriders feels the request for additional operating revenue from the City serves to highlight the poor decision that was taken late last year to cut the TTC’s budget. Those cuts resulted in longer wait times, poorer service, and increased overcrowding on bus and streetcar routes. Bad move.
Next time the city budget rolls around we expect the city and the TTC Commission to remember what riders want, remember the big increase in ridership we’re experiencing, and remember to vote to expand service, not strip it back.
Still, congrats are in order. We thank the TTC Commission for its decision today!
Now the not-so-good news. The TTC Commission voted to support provincial agency, Metrolinx’s plan, to build all of the Transit City lines using a public-private partnership process, known as Alternative Finance and Delivery - Design, Build, Finance and Maintain. (Yes, it's a long description.) Essentially, this process lets the private contractor not only construct but DESIGN the transit roll out. And the design of the transit roll out happens through a private process BEFORE the contract is awarded.
The motion was introduced by Commissioner Josh Colle, and approved by all commissioners bar Commissioner John Parker.
We at the TTCriders are not in support of this decision.
First, we’re concerned with the fact that Metrolinx’s plan will further delay the Sheppard East and Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Train (LRT) expansion.
We’re also worried about the potential lack of community consultation. We fear that Metrolinx’s process for contracting out construction for the lines to unknown private operators could lead to major changes without the same opportunity for public input. Important considerations like station location and designs would typically be subject to public consultation, but this could change with Metrolinx’s proposed contracting process.
Torontonians need to have a big say in how these transit lines are rolled out. We get a bigger say if the TTC operates as a project manager and community liaison for all the LRT projects, and has greater control over the design of the transit expansion plans we've been waiting so long for.
