TTC fares going up 10 cents, more special constables coming in Tory's budget plan

TTC fares will increaseby 10 cents per ride,Toronto Mayor John Tory announced Wednesday.

Tory also pledged to add some $53 million to the transit agency's budget this year.

Riders are being asked to pay more following two years of fares being frozen, even though ridership remains lower than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. A single ride currently costs $3.25.

If approved by city council, Tory said the new fundingwill go toward hiring 10 additional Streets to Homes outreach workers who will helpconnect with homeless people who are increasingly turning to the TTC's stations and vehicles forshelter.

"While this is a challenging year for the city, we are investing to keep transit safe, improve service, and support seniors and low-income residents," Tory said in a news release.

The proposedplan will also allow an additional 50,000 low-income residents to opt in on the Fair Pass Transit Discount Program,aimed at making the TTCand Wheel-Trans more affordable, the city says.

Riders are currently allotted free two-hour transfers, and children under the age of 12 can ride for free. TTC fares will also continue to be frozen for seniors and all monthly passes, the city says.

New initiatives 'distractions':advocacy group

The city says the "much-needed" initiatives from the updated transit budget will "offer relief to Toronto's most vulnerable residents." However, the executive director of public transit advocacy groupTTCriderstold CBC News they are "distractions."

"Most transit users are low-income, shift workers, women, racialized people, and they're being asked to pay more," saidShelagh Pizey-Allen. "It's unacceptable."

CBC Toronto has previously reported thatTTCridership in the summer was at 57 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

"Welcoming back riders with lower fares and more frequent, reliable service should be the mayor's top priority," a statement by TTCriderssaid. They add that the discount program expansion is a good step, but "does not appear to cover all of the eligible low-income Toronto residents who need fare relief."

The public transit advocacy groupsays a possible solution is for the mayor toraise funds for transit service with aparking levy on big malls and commercial landlords.

'Not the time' for increase, says councillor

Ward 12 Coun. John Matlowalso expressed his dissatisfaction with the fare increase, telling CBCToronto that the city's goal should be to incentivize Torontonians back onto the TTC.

"This is seriously not the time to increase the cost of our transit system," Matlow said. "In fact, I want to see it be more accessible and more affordable."

Matlow also says the Mayor has failed to provide a"thoughtful and cohesive" budget plan that would provide a better explanation of where funds are going, and where savings are needed.

"He's saying it's necessary without showing us the entirety of the budget he's proposing yet," Matlow said, referring to Tory's new $53 million transit budget.

50 more special constables to be hired

Tory is also planning to hire 50 more special constables for the TTC, which has recently seen a string of violent attacks,including two homicides within the last year.A recent report by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 also found that 73 per cent of respondents have reported violent experiences on public transit and 50 per cent reported harassment.

Pizey-Allen says a "thoughtful approach" to safety is needed.

"We don't think adding more police is the right approach," she said."Special constables aren't equipped to create more accessibility [or]welcoming environments."

ATU Local 113 president Marvin Alfred said in a statement that while the transit workers' union welcomesany investments in improving TTC service and safety, the city needs to better address the issues leading to conflict on public transit.

"Policing alone can't fix it and Streets to Homes can't get people into homes that don't exist or are unaffordable," Alfred said. "We need a comprehensive safety and security plan that provides real housing solutions and a better way to respond to people in crisis."

The release says the city is spending $958.7 million on the TTC this year.

A spokesperson from theTTCsays the transit agency hopesto release their full report tomorrow, which will then need to be approved by the Board of Commissioners and City Council. The TTCis set to discuss the proposed budget on Jan. 9.