Under-funding transit is catching up with us. The TTC has been plagued by "reduced speed zones" this year because subway tracks are out of alignment, which makes it dangerous for subways to go at full speed.
Repairs and investments have been delayed for so long that even TTC repair equipment needs to be repaired!
We deserve better!
We all want the subway to be safe, but slow subways can't become our new normal.
That's why we've been asking federal Members of Parliament to sign a pledge to speed up the Canada Public Transit Fund to get repairs moving faster.
Scarborough North MP Shaun Chen signed on earlier this month! He joined federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and federal Green leader Elizabeth May in signing the transit pledge.
After the shocking Scarborough RT derailment in summer 2023, the TTC started inspecting the tracks more regularly, and is finding more safety issues.
The TTC's 2018 capital budget included plans to purchase new subway work cars, including a geometry car, a specialized car used to measure the track alignment.
But a lack of funding meant that these plans were delayed: The TTC has to line up behind other cities to rent track geometry equipment. And TTC subway work cars have leaked hydraulic fluid on the tracks seven times this year!
On May 13, 2024, the TTC had to shut down service for half a day due to 200 litres of hydraulic fluid spilling on the tracks from a work car, which caused issues for subway trains trying to brake. Some of the TTC's subway work cars are sitting on the sidelines because of these leaks, instead of helping with repairs.
There have been other concerning subway safety incidents: On March 1, 2024, the TTC had to shut down service before rush hour because of a cracked switch rail. This is not normal!
Take action!
Can you help spread the word about slow zones? Many riders are frustrated, but don't know the root causes of slow zones and how bad maintenance issues have gotten.
The more people know what's going on, the more people will take action and contact their MP!
Want to take subways out of the slow zone? Save the date for a rally to fix the TTC!
Join our rally on October 17, 2024 to ask MPs to speed up the Canada Public Transit Fund to get repairs moving faster. These federal dollars should be flexible, so the TTC can use them to increase service levels by investing in the operating budget.
We're also asking for the fund to be increased, because the TTC needs an average $2.4 billion a year just to keep the system in a state of good repair... but the funding available for all of Canada works out to $3 billion per year on average.
Together we can win a better TTC!