Privatization is everywhere in our city, province and across the country, whether is selling off public resources; financing and managing public projects through public/private partnerships (P3s); contracting out the public capacity to manage and oversee the operation of programs we need.
A Metrolinx report released quietly on Friday shows ridership levels on the controversial UPX train have dropped even further. The report shows the trains ran at just 8% capacity in November and December. An average 14 people boarded each 173-seat train.
This post was written by Brenda Thompson, Chair, TTCriders Scarborough Committee. It does not reflect an approved position of TTCriders.
When I first heard about Mayor Tory’s proposal to build a one-stop subway and a 17-stop Crosstown East LRT, I was overwhelmed with gratitude and relief. Up until that announcement, political meddling and misinformation had replaced a viable LRT network with an ill- conceived three-stop subway. Rapid transit to our underserved neighbourhoods and campuses in Scarborough, was as likely as a snowball’s chance in hell.
Yesterday, John Tory held a press conference, allegedly to announce that his administration is investing in the TTC. Mayor Tory proclaimed that "the [TTC] budget, as proposed, will represent a $50 million increase over the budget of last year."
Equipped with “shovel ready” shovels, members of TTCriders gathered in front of City Hall at 9:00 a.m. this morning before heading up to Council’s Executive Committee meeting to voice our support for City Planning Department's recommendation to build a subway and LRT in Scarborough.
TTCriders has launched a campaign calling on riders to contact John Tory and Kathleen Wynne next time they experience a breakdown, short turn, or a delay and demand more funding for the TTC.
The City Planning department has announced more details of its King Street Pilot project.
King Street is an area of high population density and activity; it should have exceptional transit service. We constantly hear from riders that the 504 King is terrible, due to the crowding for people lucky enough to get on, or the being left at the curb for those who are not.
The City Planning department is currently considering a proposal for more public transit options for residents in south Scarborough, as well as the University of Toronto Scarborough. Here's the proposed, updated transit map, courtesy of City of Toronto public documents:
Last month, Mayor John Tory proposed a tax levy to raise $65 million a year (by 2020), through an increase in property taxes, to pay for new transit and housing projects. We support the proposal, but we think the mayor's vision for transit isn't nearly bold enough to address our current public transit crisis. The mayor's proposed tax levy will raise less than $20 million per year on average, when our transit needs are $1.4 billion per year over the next decade.
Inside Toronto wrote an article about a panel discussion that took place in Scarborough Village last Thursday. Our Scarborough chair, Brenda Thompson, spoke on behalf of TTCriders.
The article mentions our response to questions coming from the audience. In addition to the quotes captured in the article, Brenda spoke on the panel about the TTC fare increase and our support for a low-income pass.
Join our Stop the Cuts day of action on Monday, January 30 to ask City Council to stop the TTC service cuts.
The TTC is cutting service because it has a funding crisis. Now is the time to take action because on February 15 and 16 City Council will decide how much funding to give the TTC in 2017.
On Wednesday, TTC CEO Andy Byford confirmed that Bombardier would deliver 55 new streetcars by the end of 2016. If Bombardier delivers on this promise -- and so far, they have not delivered on any of their promises -- they will be one year behind their delivery schedule.