TTCriders Unveils 2014 Vote Transit Mayoral Report Card

alt="TTC_streetcar_4060_129_opt" width="1024" height="683" /> Confused about where your candidate stands on transit? This is the blog post to help you make a great decision on October 27. We've got:

A 'Vote Transit' guide assessing the mayoral candidates' transit plans.
Questions you can ask candidates running in your ward.
Resources for making an informed decision on transit, including the voting record of current elected officials on key transit votes and helpful voting guides from our friends at Social Planning Toronto and the Toronto Environmental Alliance.

Download and share the TTCriders Vote Transit guide

Read our press release on our Vote Transit guide

Questions to Ask Your Candidate

Here are some questions we recommend asking the city council candidates in your area:

1. Will you say yes to the low income fare pass?

In July, City Council voted develop a policy framework for a Low Income Pass by 2018. TTCriders ask them to be inclusive in deciding who is eligible. At a minimum it should include ODSP and OW recipients and all those living below the low-income cut off, including the unemployed. They must find a new source of revenue to pay for it; we demand no more service cuts and fare increases. TTCRiders supports a low income fare pass.

2. Will you say yes to the TTC’s plan to increase TTC service now?

In August 2014, the TTC Commission endorsed a $350 million investment in service over the next four years. This would allow them to:

provide 10-minute-or-better service on all streetcars and buses
expand express bus network
increase night time service
introduce two hour transfer fares

This report will come before the new council in January of 2015. TTCriders supports these recommendations.

3. What is your plan to expand transit to underserved areas of Toronto like Scarborough and Etobicoke, and how will you pay for it?

We can all agree that investment in rapid transit is long overdue in the inner suburbs, especially in areas where ridership is high and alternatives are low. Throughout many long and arduous debates, the pros and cons of rapid transit technologies (subway, LRT, buses, etc.) have dominated the political discourse, with very little thought given to the needs of local residents who depend on transit. We must always examine expansion plans through the lens of improved service for existing TTC riders.

4. Will you keep the TTC publicly owned, maintained and operated?

A public TTC is more likely to keep fares affordable, provide good service across Toronto, and be more response to riders concerns.

More resources to help you vote on October 27

Voting records of all current councillors on transit, compiled by TTCriders: http://www.ttcriders.ca/record-of-city-councillors-transit-votes-that-resulted-in-service-cuts-longer-waiting-times-and-higher-fares/
Toronto Environmental Alliance survey results for all candidates: http://www.torontoenvironment.org/vote2014/candidatereportcards/surveyresults
Toronto Centre for Active Transportation and friends assessment of the candidates: http://www.torontocat.ca/
Election 2014 - A comprehensive Toronto election resource compiled by Social Planning Toronto: http://www.election2014.ca/
Pollenize Toronto 2014 Election: A visual summary of all leading mayoral candidates and their current positions: http://pollenize.org/toronto
Position Primer: Find out where all councillors stand on major policies: http://www.positionprimer.ca/

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