If you want to know more about the ridership issue read Steve Munro's website.
Thanks for sharing and sending messages. It had an impact.
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A TTC report on ridership that will go to the TTC Commission next Wednesday March 23 shows that ridership in 2016 is below levels from last year, and is well below projected ridership levels. If ridership trends continue the TTC could be short $30M by the end of the year.
The TTC is recommending a variety of responses to declining ridership, including cutting service or getting more government funding. Cutting service levels in response to declining ridership would start a dangerous spiral to the bottom because less people will ride when service gets worse.
If TTC service is cut we’ll be doing the two worst things for public transit: 1) making the TTC more expensive to ride and, 2) cutting service levels to make it less reliable, less comfortable and less accessible. The best way to improve ridership is to fairly fund the TTC so we can have more service and lower fares.
Read the TTC's 2003 Ridership Growth Strategy document for proof on why slashing service and cutting fares is a very bad way to deal with a drop in ridership.
Fare hikes have been rising faster than inflation. At the same time, service levels have not improved. Bus and street car routes are often late and overcrowding is common.
The TTC gets the least amount of government support per ride compared to all major transit systems, making it the most efficient system in North America. Currently, the TTC gets just 89 cents in support from the city per ride. The TTC received about 93 cents a ride in 2010.
Getting people on transit helps the city reduce the $6B it loses each year in lost productivity due to congestion. Encouraging people to leave their cars at home and take the TTC is a great way for Toronto to do its part to address climate change.
