On March 17, 2020 the City of Toronto quietly stopped processing new applications to the Fair Pass TTC discount program.* Some current Fair Pass holders have been unable to renew.
This is completely unacceptable! Especially during a pandemic, when people are relying on the TTC for essential trips to access medical care and food. This change has caused confusion regarding who is still eligible to receive discounted fares.
Transit riders need more service to fix overcrowding. The City of Toronto will be bringing back laid-off bus operators in November, but it could run even more service now using its spare buses.
To increase service in the long-term, the TTC needs to order more vehicles soon. The TTC Board is voting Thursday October 22 to order more buses, streetcars, and subway cars. But the TTC needs Premier Ford and Prime Minister Trudeau to chip in to fully fund more vehicles.
The TTC's plan to remove local bus stops along the Eglinton East RapidTO corridor violates its own service standards, according to a new analysis by Hayden Poon.
“Transit riders on Eglinton East want to keep our local stops and have more bus service,” said TTCriders member Beulah Esuk, who lives near one of the cancelled stops. “Removing local stops will make transit less accessible to the people who need it most.”
Premier Ford wants to cancel bus routes that are "low performing," and replace them with private companies like Uber.1
Is your bus at risk of being cut? The 24 bus routes pictured below carried fewer than 4,000 daily TTC riders in 2018.2 Could your bus be up for evaluation as a "low performing" route?
TTCriders and Small Change Fund are hosting a six-month training program for transit riders to build their leadership and community organizing skills. This is an opportunity to meet other transit users, learn and strategize about how we can win better transit, and practice organizing for change in your neighbourhood. The program involves six group learning sessions, with a practicum component. The program is free and scholarships are provided, but space is limited.
Bus lanes were on the agenda at the July 14th TTC Board meeting. 15 transit riders made speeches in support of implementing more bus lanes and increasing bus service, and were covered by CBC and CityNews. By sharing their experiences they made Commissioners aware of the severe overcrowding that the TTC had before and during the pandemic -- and warned of the risks transit riders face when schools and workplaces re-open.
As of July 2nd, 2020, face coverings will be required on the TTC. Face coverings can include a bandana, a scarf, fabric, or a mask. Read more about how to wear and make your own face covering out of a t-shirt here (available in 11 languages).