Toronto transit riders could be in for a rough 2012.
In addition to January's fare hike, the City is poised to slash service on busy bus and streetcar routes and is planning to cancel an order for 108 badly needed new buses.
TTCriders Spoke Up and Were Heard!
More than 80 TTC riders turned up at the December 14th TTC
meeting to speak out against service cuts and being forced to pay more money for
less transit service. The voices of TTCriders from all across Toronto were heard
December 14th is D-Day for the TTC
On
Comment on Eglinton Crosstown PPP Story
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,
Torontonians to TTC Chair: Please help stop the cuts and fare increase
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.
TTCriders does Q&A with the TTC’s Chris Upfold
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.Councillor Mihevc Opposes TTC Service Cuts
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.
Transit Commission Approved Misguided Service Cuts
At their special budget meeting this morning, the Transit Commission ignored the pleas of transit riders and approved an Operating Budget that will reduce TTC service throughout the city in 2012.
At a time of record ridership, it is even more of a major step backward to reduce TTC service. The budget adopted by the Commission means riders can look forward to even more crowding on TTC vehicles, reductions in the frequency of buses, and less transit vehicles operating during rush hour on some of the TTC’s busiest routes.
Mayor Ford’s Transit Cuts Are Bad for Business
Mayor Rob Ford is forcing the TTC to make bad business decisions by imposing an absolute 10% cut to TTC funding. With more riders than at any time in the TTC’s 90 year history, cuts to TTC service are completely unjustifiable!
City Manager Refers TTC Cuts to Commission
Please call or email TTC Commissioners right now & ask them to say no to TTC cuts!
Toronto's City Manager hasn't ruled out any of the following transit cuts suggested by KPMG:
- Privatizing some TTC services. This has been a disaster in other cities around the world,