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.

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