Information about how fares will change has been kept under wraps. Metrolinx’s board meetings do not allow public comment. TTCriders requests for a meeting with Metrolinx staff about fare integration have been ignored.
Metrolinx is considering a fare-by-distance model within Toronto, as well as higher fares for fast service, including the subway.
Metrolinx’s fare-by-distance scheme could really hurt riders, especially low income riders in Toronto’s outer neighbourhoods, such as Scarborough. Why should riders who have to travel long distances on less reliable transit have to pay more just to get to work?
We are very concerned about Metrolinx’s interest in hiking fares to ride the subway because it’s plain unfair. It makes no sense to create a two-tiered transit system where the poor are priced-out of fast transit and are left stuck on the buses.
How can we trust Metrolinx to rewrite our region’s fare structure given their willingness to create luxury expensive transit to the airport for a few to the detriment of everyone else.
Metrolinx originally charged riders $27.50 to board the new Union Pearson train, despite overwhelming public outcry and numerous studies - which Metrolinx kept secret under the Toronto Sun wrestled it out of them using the FOIA process - indicating the price was too high. Fares on the Union Pearson train dropped only after the train ran nearly empty for months, and the Province intervened.
TTCriders believes it’s critical the province increase transit funding, and introduce rider-friendly measures like two-hour fares, and more service, especially in Toronto.
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More information
Metrolinx’s latest presentation on fare integration on Feb 2016
Metrolinx’s report on fare integration for April 27 with a detailed supporting report
Transit expert, Steve Munro’s assessment on fare integration