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Tory's TTC budget will mean more delays in 2016 unless we take action

TTCriders has launched a campaign calling on riders to contact John Tory and Kathleen Wynne next time they experience a breakdown, short turn, or a delay and demand more funding for the TTC.

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Today's massive delays on the Yonge Line is just one of many times that riders experience terrible and unreliable service because of chronic underfunding.

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 The 2016 City budget did not allocate any money to the TTC’s VERY modest requests to reduce breakdowns, delays, and short turns on the bus network, as well as increase service, and the reliability and safety of the subway system.  The City budget also did not approve the TTC’s request to further expand express bus service on some of Toronto’s most heavily used routes. 

The province has also failed to provide fair funding to the TTC's operating costs.

According to the TTC, on a typical day, upwards of 80 buses break down on the road, resulting in disruptions which affect approximately 5600 customers who are forced to de-board and wait for another bus to come along to pick them up.  

The TTC’s monthly CEO report also reveals that street cars and buses are notoriously behind schedule. Approximately 60% of street cars and 40% of buses are at least 5 minutes late.

“It’s deeply troubling that John Tory is fine with us being late for work because of delays and breakdowns, says TTCriders member, Jessica Bell. “Next time you’re late for work, contact John Tory and call for fair funding of the TTC,” she said.  

TTC riders pays a higher percentage of the TTC’s operating costs than riders in all other North American transit systems.   

 TTCriders is calling on City Hall and the Provincial Government to fairly fund the TTC so riders can get better service and lower fares.  If the TTC was funded at the Canadian average, the TTC would receive about $2.60 in government support per ride. If this budget is approved, the TTC will be funded at about .89 cents a ride. 

John Tory can be contacted at [email protected], 416-397-2489, @JohnTory

Kathleen Wynne can be contacted at 416 325 1941, [email protected].

 What’s looking good for riders in this year’s budget

  • The 2015 service improvements which we’ve been paying for since January 1, 2015 will stay.
  • Reliability on the 501 Queen St and 506 Carlton should improve.
  • Subway service and connecting TTC routes will open at 8.00am on Sunday, instead of 9.00am some time in 2016.

 What’s looking bad for riders in this year’s budget

  • No money for the new Cherry St car route.
  • The budget has no funding to run the five new express bus routes for Finch Avenue, Kipling Avenue, Don Mills Road, and Wilson Avenue outside of the rush hours. Riders in some of Toronto's worst-served areas will therefore continue to face long, slow bus rides during the day, the evenings, and on weekends.
  • No funding to reduce breakdowns, delays, and short turns on the bus network.
  • No funding to increase off-peak subway service to 3 minutes or less on line 1, and the reliability and safety of the subway system. 
  • Riders will be paying higher fares for the same service, because service levels are not improving.
  • The TTC’s 10-year capital budget is still short $2.7B, which means there’s no funding yet for more buses, street cars, and subways, maintenance of existing track, as well as accessibility improvements, like new elevators.
  • Service levels are still below what they were in 2010, even though riders are paying between $130 to $240 a year more in fares. 

Take Action 

  1. Send a message to Premier Wynne and Mayor Tory right now!   We have also included the contact details of these elected officials below so you can send your councillor a personal email explaining why you want the TTC to have more funding.
  2. Attend an upcoming budget town hall organized by your local councillor and speak your mind. Contact Suhail at sfbarot at gmail dot com for talking points and advice.  Here's the list of town halls.
  3. Join us as we talk to riders about the need for fair funding on Monday February 1, 2pm - 5pm.  Meet at 720 Bathurst St for the training. Contact Ben to RSVP at bendw93 at gmail.com.

City Councillors

District Job First name Last name Email Phone
Toronto Mayor John Tory [email protected] 416-397-CITY (2489)
Ward 1 Councillor Vincent Crisanti [email protected] 416-392-0205
Ward 2 Councillor Rob Ford [email protected] 416-397-9255
Ward 3 Councillor Stephen Holyday [email protected] 416-392-4002
Ward 4 Councillor John Campbell [email protected] 416-392-1369
Ward 5 Councillor Justin Di Ciano [email protected] 416-392-4040
Ward 6 Councillor Mark Grimes [email protected] 416-397-9273
Ward 7 Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti [email protected] 416-395-6401
Ward 8 Councillor Anthony Perruzza [email protected] 416-338-5335
Ward 9 Councillor Maria Augimeri [email protected] 416-392-4021
Ward 10 Councillor James Pasternak [email protected] 416-392-1371
Ward 11 Councillor Frances Nunziata [email protected] 416-392-4091
Ward 12 Councillor Frank Di Giorgio [email protected] 416-392-4066
Ward 13 Councillor Sarah Doucette [email protected] 416-392-4072
Ward 14 Councillor Gord Perks [email protected] 416-392-7919
Ward 15 Councillor Josh Colle [email protected] 416-392-4027
Ward 16 Councillor Christin Carmichael Greb [email protected] 416-392-4090
Ward 17 Councillor Cesar Palacio [email protected] 416-392-7011
Ward 18 Councillor Ana Bail„o [email protected] 416-392-7012
Ward 19 Councillor Mike Layton [email protected] 416-392-4009
Ward 20 Councillor Joe Cressy [email protected] 416-392-4044
Ward 21 Councillor Joe Mihevc [email protected] 416-392-0208
Ward 22 Councillor Josh Matlow [email protected] 416-392-7906
Ward 23 Councillor John Filion [email protected] 416-392-0210
Ward 24 Councillor David Shiner [email protected] 416-395-6413
Ward 25 Councillor Jaye Robinson [email protected] 416-395-6408
Ward 26 Councillor Jon Burnside [email protected] 416-392-0215
Ward 27 Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam [email protected] 416-392-7903
Ward 28 Councillor Pam McConnell [email protected] 416-392-7916
Ward 29 Councillor Mary Fragedakis [email protected] 416-392-4032
Ward 30 Councillor Paula Fletcher [email protected] 416-392-4060
Ward 31 Councillor Janet Davis [email protected] 416-392-4035
Ward 32 Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon [email protected] 416-392-1376
Ward 33 Councillor Shelley Carroll [email protected] 416-392-4038
Ward 34 Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong [email protected] 416-397-9256
Ward 35 Councillor Michelle Berardinetti [email protected] 416-392-0213
Ward 36 Councillor Gary Crawford [email protected] 416-392-4052
Ward 37 Councillor Michael Thompson [email protected] 416-397-9274
Ward 38 Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker [email protected] 416-392-0204
Ward 39 Councillor Jim Karygiannis [email protected] 416-392-1374
Ward 40 Councillor Norman Kelly [email protected] 416-392-4047
Ward 41 Councillor Chin Lee [email protected] 416-392-1375
Ward 42 Councillor Raymond Cho [email protected] 416-392-4076
Ward 43 Councillor Paul Ainslie [email protected] 416-392-4008
Ward 44 Councillor Ron Moeser [email protected] 416-392-1373
 

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