The ATU report accompanied by a video on the state of public transit in Toronto is now available. Many of the recommendations in the report are common-sense no brainer fixes like funding for covered shelters at bus stops and investing in more TTC vehicles to keep up with rider demand. Ridership has grown steadily year after year but service levels have not.
One thing from the report is clear : funding from all three levels of government has been stagnant at best, especially in terms of money coming from the Provincial and Federal governments. Although it has the 3rd largest transit network in North America, Toronto remains one of the least funded jurisdictions in terms of public transit operations. The situation is made worse by constant politicking back and forth and indecision.
Unless we as riders compel our political leaders to work together to fund transit properly we will never get the service we deserve at the rates that we can afford. We've waited decades for better service and affordable fare prices. In light of a new City council and a looming federal election, us riders have a lot to demand and a lot of power if we stand together.
Before the next politician wants your vote ask them for their proof of payment. Make them prove they'll commit to spending our tax dollars on our transit needs now and in the decades to come.
Otherwise this new ATU report will forever be just another bunch of great ideas on paper.
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Recommendations on paper are like paper airplanes..better yet paper buses. Lets turn these recommendations into a reality together. Courtesy of google stock images.[/caption]
