Transit Fare Hike Bad Way for City to Reward TTC Users

by John Laforet
posted on September 23rd, 2009 at 23:43:33 pm

I’m sorry, did I miss something? I thought we were supposed to ride the TTC and that the City liked that 300 000 people give them the hundred and ten bucks a metro pass goes for each month without fail. Now they’re saying that because of the popularity of transferable passes (read more people riding the TTC) they are facing a $17 million shortfall this year and if someone doesn’t step in to cover it (another level of government), they will need to raise transit fares. It would mark the third transit fare increase in four years, and is a short sighted act that goes against the city’s climate change agenda, common sense and long term transit planning.

In my last post I suggested these guys are marching us toward a dangerous financial picture, and while I still agree with that statement, I honestly think the TTC needs to find a more creative solution than penalizing transit riders with yet another transit hike. They know all too well that the TTC only makes sense so long as the price point of a transit fare is reasonable to riders. This isn’t my opinion this is basic economics. The more pressure they put on the affordability of public transit, the more ridership will fall off.

What’s more, I can tell you from running for City Council in an area with many low income transit riders, that metro pass affordability is already an issue as it and rent are generally paid for at the same time of the month. Putting any upward pressure on the cost of a monthly pass would hurt the low income users who rely on them, and may force them to use more expensive fare options such as cash or tokens for the entire month.

The City has an $8.6 billion budget. They surely can find the $17 million and recognize this short fall needs to be filled in a way that matches their overarching transit strategy and doesn’t hurt transit users unfairly. They found $400 million for LRTS in less than 24 hours just two months ago to support enhancing public transit. The TTC is far more than an financial transaction. It is part of our urban planning framework and daily life in Toronto for many residents.

While I wouldn’t be shocked if the City went ahead and raised the fare, I believe it would be a serious mistake, especially right now. Bad economic times are a good opportunity to raise ridership by encouraging folks to take the TTC to work more frequently and leave the car at home. Bad economic times are even worse times to raise the cost of transit fares and hurt ridership.

No one can disagree with that point. Let’s hope the City recognizes how bad of an idea this is before they make it.

Tags: Transit fare increase toronto, TTC 17 million, TTC budget shortfall, TTC Transit Fares