Affordability

Will candidates commit to making life affordable for transit riders?


Torontonians are experiencing an affordability crisis due to international situations out of their control, and the City must do everything it can to make life more affordable. Riders tell us again and again that the costs of taking transit pile up, leaving them with expensive decisions on whether taking transit is financially sustainable. 

For some, budgeting for transit can mean being late on rent, missing class, burning out on extra shifts, purchasing less food, or avoiding transit altogether to save on costs. For 30 years, fare increases has been vastly higher than the rate of inflation. On top of that, Torontonians cannot afford any increase in fares. In fact, the TTC's own report says that even a $0.10 fare increase would result in ~500,000 fewer rides being taken. A $1.10 fare increase would result in ~31 million fewer rides every year.

If we want people to keep using the TTC, riders need to see it as the most cost-effective way to get around Toronto. That's why maintaining a fare freeze and lowering the fare cap for all, and deepening affordability for lower-income riders is crucial over the next four years as we face more and more economic uncertainty. Here's what we asked candidates:

4. Will you commit to lowering the monthly fare cap to 40 rides or less, or to implementing weekly fare capping at 10 rides/week or less?

Ausma Malik (Incumbent)

Yes

Ian Cunningham

Yes

Xue Ding

Yes

Andi Hoàng-Lefranc

Yes

Bashar Kassir

No Response

Paul Nash

Yes

Husain Neemuchwala

No Response

Aanchal Vashistha

No Response

5. Will you commit to work with colleges and universities to make transit more affordable to post-secondary students?

Ausma Malik (Incumbent)

Yes

Ian Cunningham

Yes

Xue Ding

Yes

Andi Hoàng-Lefranc

Yes

Bashar Kassir

No Response

Paul Nash

Yes

Husain Neemuchwala

No Response

Aanchal Vashistha

No Response

6. Will you maintain a fare freeze to keep transit affordable?

Ausma Malik (Incumbent)

Yes

Ian Cunningham

Yes

Xue Ding

Yes

Andi Hoàng-Lefranc

Yes

Bashar Kassir

No Response

Paul Nash

Yes

Husain Neemuchwala

No Response

Aanchal Vashistha

No Response

7. Will you commit to establishing a plan to implement phase 3 of the Fair Pass program to provide deeply affordable fares for more low-income riders?

Ausma Malik (Incumbent)

Yes

Ian Cunningham

Yes

Xue Ding

Yes

Andi Hoàng-Lefranc

Yes

Bashar Kassir

No Response

Paul Nash

Yes

Husain Neemuchwala

No Response

Aanchal Vashistha

No Response

Some candidates offered extra comments about their position on TTC affordability:

"Over 1.3 million people rely on the TTC daily to get to work, travel, and to arrive home safely. Yet despite the TTC being an essential for millions, the City continues to manage the TTC as if it must make a profit, even if it comes at the detriment of everyday riders. Not only am I committed to the affordability proposals put forth by TTCRiders, I will advocate to transition the TTC towards a fare-free system. Though fare-capping is a good start towards a fare-free future, we must also be focused on making the TTC more affordable for those who need it most rather than just a small category of riders. This means expanding fare-free travel for students through their post-secondary education and lowering senior-rate eligibility to 55."

"The TTC cannot be a feasible transit option unless it is affordable."

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