What did riders get in the Ontario budget?

Brenda Thompson and I (Jess) went and watched the ON Government's speech about this year's provincial budget at Queen's Park on Thursday. So what did we get? The short answer is nothing now, the long answer is below.

No funding for the TTC's operating or capital budgets. The ON government did nothing to improve service now or lower fares. The government also did not contribute to the $2.4 billion needed to buy more street cars, buses, and subways, replace aging infrastructure, and meet Ontario-mandated accessibility standards, like installing elevators.

No funding for the Downtown Relief Line.

A shrinking of Premier Wynne's commitment last year to electrify GO and run all day 15 minute two way service on all government-owned train routes. This budget now only promises 15 minute service on core routes.
The government will begin looking for a company to manage and build the Finch LRT project this year as previously scheduled. The Finch LRT has been fully funded since 2010. (The also fully-funded Shepard LRT will remain in pre-planning for at least another two years.)
The government wants to sell 60% of Hydro One to raise $4 billion for transit, which is far less than needed. Selling off a profitable government agency that provides a critical service like electricity is not a sensible way to pay for transit because transit needs stable, regular funding year in and year out.

Read the ON budget.

Read our take in yesterday's Toronto Star article.

Angry that riders got nothing in this budget to improve service now? So are we. Do something about it and take action this Monday April 27 with us. We're heading to Wynne's subway stop at Yonge-Eglinton street level NW side from 8.00am to 9.00am to ask her to join us on the TTC and fairly fund public transit.

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What did riders get in the Ontario budget?

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