As of December 2015, less than half of TTC 69 subway and RT station stops are accessible to those that use wheelchairs or other mobility aids[1]. The TTC has a mandate and a legal responsibility under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) to install elevators and other accessibility features in all subway stations, but 17 station upgrades are unfunded[2][3][4].
This afternoon, John Tory announced a new City Building Fund that would raise $13M to $65M per year through property taxes, to be used exclusively for building new transit and housing infrastructure.
We are pleased Mayor Tory has listened to transit riders and wants to raise property taxes to pay for transit infrastructure, but we need assurances this new transit tax will also fund the TTC so riders get improved service, less sardine overcrowding, and more affordable transit immediately. If this new transit tax only funds new transit infrastructure then riders will get nothing for the next eight years.
Riders will be facing fare hikes and service cuts in 2016 unless we take action.
Over 100 riders rallied for more service and lower fares at the key November 23 TTC Commission meeting. So what did we get? The bad news is riders are being slapped with $23M in fare hikes, but we’re getting just $5M more in service. Don’t get us wrong - this new service is necessary - it’s just that these modest improvements do not meet today’s Toronto transit needs.
This post was written by Scarborough Committee member Shaun Cleaver.
In today's Toronto Star, Professor Margaret Kohn has written an opinion piece that a subway is only "fair" for Scarborough.
We agree with much of what Professor Kohn has written. We especially agree with this statement:
Thousands of transit riders are packed daily into an overcrowded Toronto transit system, while one transit line in Toronto continues to run virtually empty. Dane Grgas reports on the problem - and what can be done to fix it.
On Thursday, the Metrolinx board will be discussing specific fare reductions at its board meeting. The fare reductions include allowing children 12 and under to ride free — up from 6 years of age, and a reduced return adult fare of $44 rather than $53. Airport workers will be able to temporarily buy a pass for for $250, instead of $300, and a buy-one get-two ticket offer is also being temporarily introduced.
"I love the name. It's not TTC customers. Riders have a right. You've got some right to a say over the TTC. It's our transit system, owned by the people of Toronto."
With that emphatic statement, David Miller capped a fantastic fundraising drive and social event. Many thanks to everyone who came out to our 2015 fundraiser. A special thanks to Mary Breen, our incredible Fundraising Director, for orchestrating the event from start to finish.
TTCriders brought out over 100 protesters before the TTC Commission meeting today to demand no fare increases or service cuts in 2016.
Rally outside City Hall
One of several speakers at the rally, Herman Rosenfeld
This guest post was written by Myles Stocker, TTCriders member.
Long-frustrated transit activists have reason to be optimistic. On October 19th, the federal Liberals were elected into power with a majority government. There are now infrastructure-friendly politicians in office at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels of government. John Tory, Kathleen Wynne, and Justin Trudeau have all shown a willingness to work with each other. This rare opportunity must not be wasted.
In Thursday's Toronto Star, TTC Chair Josh Colle reveals his plans to introduce a fare freeze for Metropass users. Colle says his research shows that "One hundred percent of the time it's people of low incomes who are saying, 'The Metropass cost is squeezing me out' ".
Image by www.work.alexandrafox.ca
Did you know… - The TTC is considering ANOTHER fare increase of up to 25 cents per ride in 2016? - Toronto is facing service cuts unless the City gives the TTC about $53M more than budgeted?
by Vincent Puhakka
Although the dust has only just settled on the longest election campaign in recent Canadian history; it's time we took stock of our Prime Minister-elect and his plans for public transit. On the surface, things look good: the Liberal Party's signature promise to run three years of deficits to fund infrastructure investment stands in stark contrast to the previous government's record of piecemeal, project by project spending. Another breath of fresh air was the explicit mention of transit in these platform announcements (as opposed to the omnipresent 'roads and bridges' we hear about south of the border, if rail lines or bus stops are inferior to auto infrastructure!) Finally, this is a government elected with significant support from city dwellers and to maintain support we can expect the Liberals to move quickly on investments in urban mobility. In spite of all this, those of us who are progressive and pro transit should pause before jumping on the 'Real Change' Trudeau bandwagon.