TTC commissioners approve 10-cent fare hike

Article content

The TTC Commission voted unanimously Thursday to approve a 10-cent fare increase effective April 1.

Article content

Only adult cash fares will remain unchanged at $3.25.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

TTC commissioners approve 10-cent fare hike Back to video

TTC Board Chair Councillor Jaye Robinson said she supported the staff recommendation reluctantly, but added at least the 2019 operating budget includes no cuts to services.

“I’m very disappointed to see this outcome,” Robinson said. “Nobody wants to see a fare increase.”

Toronto Councillor Joe Cressy posted on social media that raising TTC fares while keeping property taxes low is not the right way to balance the budget because fare increases reduce ridership.

Staff told the commission that about 700,000 rides will be lost due to the fare hike, but the additional revenue will offset that cost.

TTCriders board member Mike Sullivan told the committee that poor people in the city will be poorer as a result of the commission’s decision, estimating a low-income couple would spend an additional $100 a year getting to work.

Article content

“That’s just so wrong,” Sullivan said, one of a long list of speakers who told the commission to look elsewhere for revenue rather than hiking e fares.

TTC Commissioner Brad Bradford said no one wanted to raise fares for the 1.7 to 1.8 million people who use the service every day in a city with affordability challenges, but there have been improvements such as the two-hour transfer and additional capacity.

Without the new fare revenue – and in the absence of more revenue tools or subsidies from senior levels of government – the TTC would have to cut service to its customers, Bradford said.

Even with the $25.8 million boost in annual fare revenue, the commission will ask the City of Toronto to increase its yearly contribution to the cost of running the transit system by $22 million, bringing its total subsidy to $763 million.

Article content

The TTC operating budget ensures that kids continue to ride free.

The commission heard that additional pressures on the budget include the rollout and maintenance costs of the PRESTO card, which TTC staff estimates at $5.5 million-$8 million.

At the same meeting, the TTC Commission approved a capital budget that calls for the replacement of 150 buses and the addition of 15 buses to meet increased demand.

Bad day to hike TTC fares

TTC riders faced significant delays Thursday — the same day a fare hike was announced.

Images on social media showed huge crowds trying to get on Line 1 subways during the morning commute as signal problems caused major delays.

One rider tweeted that nine packed cars went by before he could catch a subway.

Article content

At the same time, operational issues slowed down Line 2.

Toronto Councillor Brad Bradford, a TTC commissioner, took to social media to note “very challenging commute on the #TTC this morning. Staff are doing their best to respond. Additional capacity and signal upgrades can’t come soon enough.”

“This is a tough week for the TTC,” CEO Rick Leary said.

An enormous amount of effort went into ensuring that bus, streetcar, subway and Wheel-Trans fleets were prepared for the winter storm earlier in the week, he said.

“We acknowledge we had delays,” Leary said. “Between the weather and the ageing infrastructure, we disappointed our customers this week.”

Many members of the public noted the lousy timing as the TTC Commission voted Thursday to hike fares as of April 1.

“Not a single day goes without delays and yet TTC wants to hike price … Seriously???” one person tweeted.

aartuso@postmedia.com

aartuso@postmedia.com