TTCriders, a membership-based transit advocacy organization, released the following statement in response to mayoral candidate Gil Penalosa’s transit platform announcement:
“Under the City’s current leadership, public transit is in trouble because riders are not returning. The TTC needs a champion who will rebuild ridership with bus lanes, better service, and lower fares.
“Gil Penalosa’s promise to build 62km of separated, high-speed bus lanes and another 30km of bus-only lanes is a welcome plan that will build a better TTC and a fairer city. TTCriders will applaud promises for more bus lanes from any candidate.
“A rapid bus lane to Malvern on Eglinton East, Kingston and Morningside can be built quickly and paves the way to build the Eglinton East LRT.
“TTCriders is calling on all candidates to commit to immediately fund the Fair Pass TTC discount program for low-wage workers, roll out 10 bus and streetcar lanes in the next term of City Council, and increase service frequency to rebuild transit ridership.
"TTCriders has asked all candidates about their commitments to increase service, lower fares, and prioritize transit on our streets, and will release the survey results on September 29, 2022. Most candidates have already answered the survey, but John Tory has not completed it.”
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Gil Penalosa bus lane plan: https://www.gilformayor.ca/fastlane_transit_plan
TTCriders candidate survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdB2NWQghxLsdzE-YRhefhc8mIDHAxjUkCj0V-Zb171x8ouww/viewform