Beginning on April 1, we issued a challenge to Toronto-area Members of
Provincial Parliament to join the millions of folks who use public transit
daily. We wanted to see our MPPs ride the TTC to and from work at Queen’s
Park for a week from April 1 to April 30.
MPP Cheri Di Novo has been taking the challenge all week. She got crammed in a Queen St Car on Monday. MPPs Eric Hoskins, Cristina
Martins, and Steven Del Duca tweeted a photo of themselves on the subway this week, but one ride is not enough to meet the challenge (if only us riders had
that luxury, right?), and the we still need to hear a promise from the
Ontario Government to fairly fund the TTC. MPP Peter Tabuns took the
challenge last week and
got caught
in a subway nightmare delay. MPP Arthur Potts also said yes to taking the
challenge.
Transit riders in Toronto currently receive a $0.81 per-rider subsidy from
the city, the lowest in North America. In the lead up to the 2015 provincial
budget, it is more important than ever to send our elected representatives a
strong message that we demand a better deal for transit riders in Toronto
and across Ontario.
Substantial and stable funding of the TTC will lead to a better ride for
everyone, and major improvements to the system, such as:
-
Better service and affordable fares
- More express routes
-
Investments in state of good repair
- Two hour time-based transfers
-
Lower fares for seniors and people living with low incomes
- Alleviation of sardine crowding
We know that our MPP’s will appreciate how important these measures are
after riding with us for a week.
Following our successful
#grumpyrider campaign, Mayor John Tory and Toronto City Council listened to our supporters’
demands and increased city support for the TTC in this year’s budget. Now we’re
asking Premier Kathleen Wynne and the Liberal government to follow their lead
and be champions for transit riders. This is a big ask, and we can’t do it
alone. We need your help!
JOIN US AS WE CANVASS RIDERS in ridings across Toronto on Monday
April 27 to drum up support for fair TTC funding. You can either sign up to join an existing team or canvass at a location
near you or near where your MPP lives or works.
We encourage you to canvass for
an hour either before 9.00am or after 5.00pm. We can provide you with a
petition and postcards to share.
TELL YOUR MPP TO TAKE THE CHALLENGE – Encourage your MPP to accept the challenge to ride the TTC to
work for a week and commit to fairly funding the TTC . Send them an
email message
here or Tweet them using the #savedyouaseat hashtag. MPPs twitter handles are here.
CHECK THEIR PROGRESS – See whether or not your MPP has accepted the challenge, and find out how long their TTC commute will be. Use the
#savedyouaseat hashtag to congratulate MPPs who have accepted the
challenge and shame those who haven’t.
The 2015 Ontario budget represents a historic opportunity to truly make the
TTC the better way. We’ve saved our MPP’s a seat, and we hope they’ll join
us in standing up for transit riders.
See the invitation we sent to Premier Wynne and other MPPs
here.
JOIN US AFTER THE CANVASS - Canvassers, members, volunteers,
and supporters are welcome to join us for dinner/drinks at the Elephant and
Castle, 378 Yonge Street (Yonge and College) from 6.30pm onwards. Drop by
when you can. RSVP with Rebecca at [email protected]. If
you canvassed in the day, please bring your clipboards, petitions and
postcards.
Where are we canvassing on April 27? Join us by
RSVPing
here.