Proposed measures to relieve crowding fall short, transit advocates say
(Toronto, ON) January 18, 2018 — Transit advocates will distribute “Overcrowding Relief Kits” to commuters this morning at 8am at the entrance to King Station. This afternoon at 1pm, the TTC Board will vote on measures to relieve crowding on Line 1.
“The Yonge line is dangerously overcrowded and riders are in desperate need of relief,” said TTCriders spokesperson Shelagh Pizey-Allen. “All three levels of government must fund construction of the Relief Line as soon as possible,” she said.
The relief kits include a breath mint, a transit-themed crossword puzzle to pass the time while waiting for the next subway, and step-by-step instructions to achieve overcrowding relief. Step number two reads: “Call John Tory and Kathleen Wynne and urge them to fund better TTC service and build the Relief Line as soon as possible.”
According to the TTC report, titled “Managing Crowding on Line 1,” the Yonge subway south of Bloor has been running over scheduled capacity for a decade. The section south of Eglinton is also nearing capacity. Parts of Line 1 are near or over capacity for a 90-minute period during the morning peak. The report notes that overcrowding is a barrier for transit riders who use mobility devices or push strollers. .
TTCriders is calling on all levels of government to fund and build the Relief Line by 2031. The first phase of the Relief Line will alleviate overcrowding at Bloor-Yonge Station.
The TTC report recommends implementing a customer awareness campaign about emergency alarms, adding more personnel to respond to alarms, and creating signage to direct riders to use the entire length of subway station platforms. The TTC will also consider congestion fare pricing as a medium to long term solution to relieve overcrowding.
“Congestion pricing could be good news if it means discounted fares but it will be very bad news if it means higher fares during rush hour,” said Pizey-Allen. “Many people cannot choose when they travel or afford fare hikes.”
TTCriders is also calling for the City to increase the subsidy to the TTC for improved service across the city, including express buses, to relieve overcrowding on one quarter of surface routes. The 2018 TTC operating budget will not increase service levels. City Council will start voting on the City budget on February 12, 2018.
The TTC is the least funded transit system in North America. In 2017, the TTC received a city subsidy of just under $1 per ride. The North American average is $2.60 per ride.
TTC report on Yonge-University Line 1 crowding.
2018 TTC operating budget.