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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.
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
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The 2015 service improvements which we’ve been paying for since January
1, 2015 will stay.
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Reliability on the 501 Queen St and 506 Carlton should improve.
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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
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No money for the new Cherry St car route.
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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.
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No funding to reduce breakdowns, delays, and short turns on the bus
network.
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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.
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Riders will be paying higher fares for the same service, because service
levels are not improving.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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