Transit News

During the City budget vote at the January 17th City Council meeting, Councillor Josh Colle moved a motion to use $15 million of the City’s 2011 surplus to avoid cuts to a number of valued city services. This included directing $5 million to the TTC to prevent service reductions.

TTCriders is concerned with the news reported in the Toronto Star that Metrolinx is considering a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for the designing, construction and operation of the proposed Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown LRT line. We are concerned about how this decision could impact transit users in Toronto. For example,

Public outcry has exploded as Torontonians found out there will be cuts to 56 bus routes and 6 streetcar lines in the wards they travel through because of a 10% budget cut forced by City Hall. As a result, TTCriders issued a letter today asking Councillor Stintz, Chair of the TTC, to help stop the cuts and fare hike.

Today TTCriders revealed information from a secret TTC report that shows the City’s proposed 10% cut to the TTC’s operating subsidy will mean longer waits for more crowded buses and streetcars on routes in every ward in the City. Click this link to our media release and the list of service cuts:

On October 25th, over 50 people braved the rain and attended our TTCriders meeting at the North York Civic Centre.  Here’s a summary of what went down.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Jamie Kirkpatrick from TEA gave a brief history of the TTCriders. The group was founded in Dec. 2009 in response to the proposed (and approved) TTC fare hike. Since then, the Riders have organized to stop the proposed bus cuts, advocated for the Transit City plan, and educated voters about mass transit during the 2010 city elections. Check out Jamie's presentation.

Check out the excellent message we got from Councillor Joe Mihevc in response to our letter:

Hi,

Thank you for your letter stating your desire for a strong and healthy TTC.

I oppose cutting TTC services and I will advocate increasing services during this time of increasing ridership.

Take action

Workshops and Trainings
Add your name for Fare Capping!
Transit-only lanes now: Get buses and streetcars moving!
Give Transit the Green Light
Platform Doors for a safer, more reliable TTC!
Keep and Expand Free TTC Wi-Fi!
Work For Us
Know Your Transit Rights
Protect Door-to-Door Wheel-Trans Service!

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