TTCriders responds to ongoing debate on transit revenue tools

On Monday, TTCriders wrote a follow-up a letter to Metrolinx responding to their shortlist of revenue tools to fund transit expansion in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

In our letter, we identified that corporate and high-income tax revenue, while absent from Metrolinx's shortlist, are critical sources for funding transit expansion and operations. Corporate and high-income taxes are progressive, equitable and historically important tools which should be included in the mix of revenue tools.

We also identified concerns with Metrolinx including fare increases as a funding option on their shortlist. TTC users currently pay 70% of transit operations through their fares - which is the highest percentage of any urban transit system in North America. Raising fares to pay for transit expansion is inequitable and places too high of a burden on transit users.

As Metrolinx prepares its final recommendation report on revenue tools, TTCriders is calling on the Province to not only invest in transit expansion, but also to sufficiently fund transit operations in order to improve current service and reduce fares. Read our letter here.

We encourage all TTC riders to write to their local MPP and recommend corporate and high-income revenue taxes as part of the funding strategy for transit expansion and operations.

Latest posts

How are your Don Valley West candidates promising to improve public transit?

We’ve asked candidates whether they’ll invest in more TTC service, protect door-to-door Wheel-Trans service, expand TTC’s low-income discount, approve fare capping and more. View candidates’ detailed answers to our survey, information about their transit platforms, and more.

Letter & Survey: TTC must exchange expired tokens and tickets

Do you still have TTC tokens or paper senior/student tickets or day passes? The TTC has announced that they will stop accepting TTC tokens and paper tickets after December 31, 2024. But the TTC will not be issuing exchanges. This is unfair to people who have saved up tokens and tickets, especially low-income seniors. Gift cards and permanent stamps never expire --  why are transit fares any different?

“Rally to Fix the TTC” calls for investment in repairing subway slow zones during National Transit Week

(Toronto, ON) – Transit advocacy organization TTCriders will hold a rally today at 5:00pm outside Bathurst Subway Station to call on federal Members of Parliament to invest in TTC repairs and new subway trains on Line 2 by accelerating implementation of the Canada Public Transit Fund. The rally is part of a national “Transit Action Week” being organized in 5 Canadian cities. (Cantonese, Mandarin, French spokespeople available.)

Take action

Add your name for Fare Capping!
Tell Your MP: Sign the Transit Pledge
Bus lanes now
Protect Wheel-Trans Service
Keep and Expand Free TTC Wi-Fi!

Connect with us