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.
Join us for a rollicking evening in support of TTCriders! BUY TICKETS HERE or using the Eventbrite link below.
TTCriders was interviewed today on CP24 during Live at Noon! Watch us talk about the report card we've created on the promises the major parties have put out on transit! Then make sure to share our transit report card with your friends!
How do the parties rank on fixing public transit during this election? We've prepared a report card on the federal parties' transit platforms, and the results are underwhelming.
Read our full report card with links to supplementary information here.
The Globe and Mail has picked up the story about near-empty UPX trains, brought to the media's attention by TTCriders when the Metrolinx board received its second quarter report. “When the TTC is overcrowded and breaking down and fares are going up again, we have got to get our priorities straight,” said Mary Breen, a spokeswoman for the group.
A Metrolinx report quietly released today shows ridership levels on the controversial UPX train
Transit advocacy group, TTCriders, is available to comment on the fare hikes and service levels riders could get in 2016 to be debated at today's TTC board budget committee meeting at 2pm at City Hall.
TTCriders is launching a major fall membership drive.
Grassroots organizing costs money, and we need your membership fee to fund this work.
Just as importantly, we need a large, vocal membership to increase our influence.
Help us elect a government that will provide Toronto with fair and stable transit funding.
TTCriders and friends are talking to riders across the city on September 14 to educate them about public transit issues, and encourage them to vote, volunteer, and give to federal candidates that will improve public transit in Toronto.