TTCriders takes to the subways to get support for our new Fair Deal for Riders campaign

While all levels of government fight over how to solve Toronto’s transit woes, today approximately 40 volunteers who actually ride public transit are asking fellow transit users at 14 subway stops to support TTCriders’ new Fair Deal for

Riders campaign. TTCriders’ new campaign calls on the provincial government to regularly contribute $700 million a year to the TTC so riders can have better service and lower fares. A $700 million contribution would pay for a 25% overall increase in service levels, a fare reduction of 20 cents, and deeper fare discounts for those in need, such as people on Ontario Works and Ontario Disability.

Support our Fair Deal for Riders Campaign

“Riders are sick of the political inaction, the delays, the overcrowding, and the frustration of traveling on a public transit system that’s buckling under record ridership levels,” says TTCriders co-chair Jessica Bell. “The single best way to fix public transit for riders today is for the province to recommit to helping pay for the TTC’s costs.” All major transit systems across North America get a higher government subsidy per ride than Toronto does. If Toronto received the same subsidy per rider as Vancouver, the TTC’s budget would jump from $1.5 billion to nearly $2.5 billion. Yet, the TTC is considering yet another fare increase. “Fares are already too high, especially for the growing number of Torontonians who struggle to make ends meet,” says TTCriders co-chair Luca De Franco. “There are more progressive and fair ways to pay for public transit than asking riders to pay even more.” According to a Centre for Policy Alternatives report on transit, lower-income Torontonians ride transit more frequently than higher-income earners. TTCriders is a public transit advocacy group that gives transit riders a voice. The membership-based group is composed of transit users who want better public transit in Toronto.