[picard102]

TTC eyes fare capping — and a fare increase — as part of new growth strategy

The TTC is exploring options to help boost ridership next year as it struggles to attract more commuters post-pandemic.

www.thestar.com

Paywall free: https://archive.is/9uVHw

My advice for TTC growth strategy is to stop fare evasion, improve safety/security, and control public nuisance (vagrancy, loitering, begging). Once you see how the subways in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taipei are run, with ironclad controls on fares, public safety and cleanliness of stations and trains, you just can't take Toronto's seriously. You try begging, littering or smoking drugs outside a Singapore subway station and you'll quickly find yourself arrested.

Who is going to pay to double the staffing to police every train and gates?

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

Who is going to pay to double the staffing to police every train and gates?

Do as they do in Europe, increase the operating subsidies to cover it. The TTC is currently underfunded for its operations. Don't confuse with the capital budget.

Germany's public transport operating budget is approximately 25 billion euros per year, which supports various services like buses, trams, and regional trains. This investment is crucial for enhancing the economy and promoting climate action, as it generates about 75 billion euros in added value

The Canadian federal government needs to get into the act, since Queen's Park tries not to.

 

[T3G]

Have you used the Melinda exit?

Its set up as an escalator going up, there is no staircase available.

No, I haven't, I just passed by and thought it was silly.

I'll take back my comment about retrofitting it after the fact - but not about how building it this way was a dumb choice to begin with. You're digging a hole in the ground and can't make it a little wider to allow for double end operation? There's really no logical reason for not having all exits be accessible both ways, unless you do another silly thing like New York and build your stations without mezzanines.

Duplex was a fully functioning entrance at one point, before the Crosstown project, when it actually had a building. The current (ish) iteration had among the highest far evasion rates in the system. Keep in mind, the current terminal is to be redeveloped, eventually, as per a discussion we've had here on UT.

As far as I'm aware, the Duplex entrance going defunct predates the Crosstown project by quite a few years - it's not there in the 2007 streetview of the spot, and if memory serves it was shuttered along with the old bus terminal.

I've heard of the plans to redevelop the current terminal, and quite frankly said redevelopment can't come soon enough, but we have a bad habit in this province of making temporary things last rather longer than they should. It's been 23 years since this temporary terminal was put into use, and its redevelopment will occur who knows when... at some point, one would hope that it would have occurred to someone to drop some PRESTO readers in.

That said, I care plenty about people cheating, because it means I pay more for less service.

The idea that I should have to pick up the tab because someone else is lazy and morally bankrupt is a non-starter.

This argument carries the same weight to me as ........"Well littering is fine, because I shouldn't have to walk more than a block to find a garbage can" No...its not. Yes, we should have more garbage cans in this city, they should also be emptied more frequently too.......... but if you bought a pop and its empty now, you're going to carry it around until you find a garbage, period! That should motivate you to complain to your councillor about the need for more garbage cans.

It's not about endorsing fare evasion (or littering??), it's about accepting what human nature is, and working around it. The TTC's job shouldn't be to socially engineer people into walking further away, it should be to make payment options available in more places, so that those who are opportunity thieves rather than ideological no longer are. I don't endorse fare evasion, but I also can't work up any kind of righteous anger against it - human beings have always stolen, and we can no more change that impulse than we can change the colour of the sky. My anger is in its entirety towards those who insufficiently fund the TTC, so that fare revenue makes up a large and unsustainable portion of the operating budget, and fare evasion actively results in less service rather than simply being a cost of doing business.

Most people, though not organized thieves, will not take a philanthropic view like you, they will simply take advantage of whatever loopholes in the system exist to save time or money. As long as we have had an organized society, someone has always sought to game the system. Forget having POOs to catch people after the fact, the best way of dealing with said people would be to make it a problem for them to game said system in the first place, like a store that, instead of compelling the cashiers to catch shoplifters, restricts access to high value goods until they have been paid for. In the case of the TTC, it would either be installing crocodile filled moats... or installing fare gates at every possible entrance to a station (Victoria Park and Ossington are also really poor offenders for this type of design).

As for littering, unless we're talking about a remote conservation area, chances are more would be done to solve the littering problem by installing more trash cans rather than installing an authority figure to ticket people for doing so. Again, this doesn't mean I endorse littering when there aren't trash cans, it just means that most people are selfish rather than evil, and removing incentives for them to be is the key to solving, in a big way, those ills.

Back to the matter at hand. Second exits, if un-staffed are generally the site of greater fare evasion, particularly in the era of Presto gates.

Sure, but so are streetcars with all door boarding.

 

[81-717]

As for littering, unless we're talking about a remote conservation area, chances are more would be done to solve the littering problem by installing more trash cans rather than installing an authority figure to ticket people for doing so.

I don't think a lack of trash cans is a problem, pretty sure they exist at every station, to be fair.

most people are selfish rather than evil

That's deep.

 

[T3G]

I don't think a lack of trash cans is a problem, pretty sure they exist at every station, to be fair.

I didn't think we were talking about the TTC, specifically.

 

[Northern Light]

No, I haven't, I just passed by and thought it was silly.

I'll take back my comment about retrofitting it after the fact - but not about how building it this way was a dumb choice to begin with. You're digging a hole in the ground and can't make it a little wider to allow for double end operation? There's really no logical reason for not having all exits be accessible both ways, unless you do another silly thing like New York and build your stations without mezzanines.

I'll leave the rest, but the above I do want to address. The Melinda exit, as located (where it is now) cannot be wider.

There is no room on the sidewalk, and the subway tunnel and platform is literally under the entire road surface. A wider entrance would mean no sidewalk.

Is it/was it theoretically plausible to put the exit somewhere else? Look at the buildings there now, I'm going to suggest to you that the answer is no.

Once Commerce Court was developed, a new second exit was added which was also an entrance and which had an up escalator as well.

The idea that everything is feasible is simply not right. Somethings are take it or leave it. Unless you wanted to expropriate all the buildings in question and tear them down to build the entrance in question.

I get your desire, I share it, but it wasn't realistic here.

 

[drum118]

Service adjustments for TIFF begin Thursday

Sept. 3, 2025

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) returns to the city from Sept. 4 to Sept. 8, with some TTC services being impacted. Street celebrations will result in the closure of King St. W. between Spadina Ave. and University Ave. starting 5 a.m. on Thurs., Sept. 4 until 5 a.m. Mon., Sept. 8.

During this time, the 504A/304 King and 508 Lake Shore routes will be diverting as follows:

• Eastbound from King St. W. north on Spadina Ave., east on Queen St. W., south on York St., east on Adelaide St., south on Church St., then resume regular routing eastbound on King St.
• Westbound from King St. W. north on York St., west on Queen St. W., south on Spadina Ave., then back to regular routing on King St.

503 Kingston Road replacement buses will operate westbound from King St. W., north on University Ave., west on Richmond St. W., south on Spadina Ave., to regular route. Eastbound 503 replacement buses will operate from King St. W. north on Spadina Ave., east on Adelaide St. W., south on University Ave., to regular route.

Stops on King St. E. between Spadina and University avenues will not be served.

504B King streetcars will operate between Broadview Station and Church St.

Throughout TIFF, the TTC will have identifiable staff positioned at key locations to assist customers and provide information about transit options.

Regular TTC service will resume at 5 a.m. on Mon., Sept. 8, but due to red carpet events on King St., customers may experience delays during certain time periods from Wed., Sept. 10 to Sat., Sept. 13.

The TTC thanks customers for their patience during TIFF, an event that benefits Toronto’s economy and international reputation as a world-class city.

 

[nfitz]

I thought the building the Melinda street exit was in was relatively old. But I also thought there was stairs one could walk down too, so perhaps my memory accounts for little.

It has been 20 years since I realized you couldn't get in even with a pass. I don't recall the signage saying that being very clear though.

 

[DSCToronto]

I thought the building the Melinda street exit was in was relatively old. But I also thought there was stairs one could walk down too, so perhaps my memory accounts for little.

It has been 20 years since I realized you couldn't get in even with a pass. I don't recall the signage saying that being very clear though.

I think this discussion is about the exit (only) that comes out on Yonge Street west sidewalk. The Melinda exit (west of Yonge) is quite different and goes into Commerce Court/CIBC .

 

[nfitz]

I think this discussion is about the exit (only) that comes out on Yonge Street west sidewalk. The Melinda exit (west of Yonge) is quite different and goes into Commerce Court/CIBC .

Ah. I don't think i realized there's two. For done reason I never use that exit!

I can see the benefit in numbering and mapping; especially if there's still some exit- only locations.

 

[Northern Light]

Looking at the Major Projects Report on next week's TTC agenda.....I see this:

Are we facing another dig up of KQQR?

 

[DSCToronto]

Looking at the Major Projects Report on next week's TTC agenda.....I see this:

View attachment 678766

Are we facing another dig up of KQQR?

I read the report as meaning that the KQR project was over budget and these transfers are to cover it.

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

Toronto Transit Commission - Meeting 8​

Meeting Date and Status: September 10, 2025 - 10:00 AM - Scheduled (Preview) Location:Committee Room 1, City Hall/Video ConferencePublishing Status:Agenda Published

From https://secure.toronto.ca/council/#/committees/2944/26574

• TTC8.1
  

  Chief Executive Officer’s Report - September 2025​

  
  
  
• TTC8.2
  

  Approved Minutes of the Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit (ACAT) General Monthly Meetings of June 26 and July 31, 2025​

  
  
• TTC8.3
  

  Pilot - Free Transit for Grade 7-12 Student Field Trips Update​

  
  
• TTC8.4
  

  Amendments to TTC Policy 13.1.2 Advertising on TTC Property​

  
  
• TTC8.5
  

  2025 Accessibility Plan Status Report​

  
  
• TTC8.6
  

  Financial and Major Projects Update for the Period Ended June 28, 2025​

  
  
• TTC8.7
  

  Declaration of Surplus Property - 17 and 19 Dewhurst Boulevard, and 1 and 3 Strathmore Boulevard​

  
  
• TTC8.8
  

  Procurement Authorization - Supply of Uniforms and Work Clothing​

  
  
• TTC8.9
  

  Appointment to TTC Pension Plan Board of Directors​

  
  
• TTC8.10
  

  2026 Schedule of Meetings​

  
  
• TTC8.11
  

  Feasibility study of delivering a centralized on-demand accessible taxicab dispatch service through the existing Wheel-Trans service - by Chair Jamaal Myers, seconded by Commissioner Dianne Saxe​

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

TTC8.3 - Pilot - Free Transit for Grade 7-12 Student Field Trips Update​

From https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2025.TTC8.3

Recommendations​

It is recommended that the TTC Board:

1. Receive this report on the pilot program’s outcomes, including service, financial, and operational implications.

2. Approve an extension of the free transit for Grade 7 to 12 student field trips pilot program for the 2025-2026 school year, at an estimated financial impact of $25,000 in foregone fare revenue.

Summary​

In May 2024, the TTC Board approved a pilot program offering free transit for Grade 7 to 12 student field trips during the 2024-2025 school year. This report presents the results of the pilot, aligned with its objectives, and highlights specific impacts on schools located within Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs).

The program required participation agreements with Toronto’s public and separate English- and French-speaking school boards, which specified when field trips were eligible for reimbursement through the pilot program. As a result of requiring participation agreements, program uptake was lower than originally projected. Of the 531 eligible schools, 28 participated, collectively receiving reimbursement for 2,664 Youth PRESTO Tickets used on 77 field trips. While both Toronto French school boards signed agreements to participate in the pilot program, neither requested reimbursements for field trips taken during this period.

Although uptake was limited, there were notable successes that can be built upon in future years if the pilot is continued:

• One-third of participating schools were in NIAs (36%), and over half of field trips originated from these areas.
• More than 1,800 students received educational materials and participated in discussions aimed at increasing their comfort and confidence using transit.
• Survey responses indicated that more than 80% of participating teachers said the pilot incentivized taking a field trip, and 63% agreed that the program enabled an educational outing that would not have occurred otherwise.

Survey results also indicated that two-thirds of teachers lacked awareness or knowledge of the pilot program. However, among those who were aware, more than half of the teachers used the program to facilitate a field trip. Improvements to the program that could increase uptake in the future and allow for a better assessment of the program impact include:

• Increased promotion. Continue to provide materials to school boards to share with teachers and educational support staff to increase awareness of the program.
• Expanded educational materials. Update the classroom training materials to include specific information about the pilot, group travel, and how to use PRESTO Tickets on the TTC.
• Amended service parameters. Conditions have been put in place to enable this pilot to ensure no additional service is required to accommodate field trips. As pilot uptake has been lower than originally anticipated, expanding the permitted days of week, times of day, and routes could increase program utility. However, additional service may be required should the parameters be amended.
• Streamlined administration process for reimbursements. Explore ways to improve submission requirements for school boards to improve data entry, data submissions, and verification.

TTC staff recommend extending the pilot program with the current service parameters for the 2025-2026 school year to allow for comprehensive data collection and monitoring to evaluate the pilot’s effectiveness. It is anticipated that heightened program awareness and expanded educational materials will lead to increased participation, providing more robust data for evaluation of the program. Upon review of the service parameters, it may not be possible to further expand the permitted days, times, and routes without additional resources due to impacts on ridership, crowding, and resource requirements.

Financial Impact​

On May 16, 2024, the TTC Board approved an adjustment to the 2024 Operating Budget to reduce 2024 fare revenue by $500,000 to reimburse eligible field trips during the 2024-2025 school year. The Board also approved an increase in the ancillary revenue budget of $500,000, to be funded from the proceeds received from the sale of the decommissioned Scarborough Rapid Transit fleet, to offset the revenue impact anticipated from the implementation of the pilot program.

The $500,000 program budget was reflective of the potential foregone revenue if all existing field trips were eligible for reimbursements through the pilot program. There were no additional costs to add additional transit service for this program, as field trips were eligible for reimbursement only at specified days, times, and locations on the system where there is excess capacity. Program implementation and administration were accommodated through existing staffing levels. However, the pilot program was prioritized.

Approximately $6,000 in eligible field trips in the 2024-2025 school year were taken and reimbursed to Toronto school boards. If the pilot program were to be extended to the 2025-2026 school year, the estimated financial impact in terms of foregone revenue is approximately $25,000, subject to program uptake.

The Executive Director – Finance has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.

Can see a problem with "Explore ways to improve submission requirements for school boards to improve data entry, data submissions, and verification.", since there are no more school boards in the City of Toronto, allegedly.

 

[picard102]

Do as they do in Europe, increase the operating subsidies to cover it. The TTC is currently underfunded for its operations. Don't confuse with the capital budget.

Germany's public transport operating budget is approximately 25 billion euros per year, which supports various services like buses, trams, and regional trains. This investment is crucial for enhancing the economy and promoting climate action, as it generates about 75 billion euros in added value

The Canadian federal government needs to get into the act, since Queen's Park tries not to.

That's not going to happen though. Ideally all 3 levels would cover the costs and make it completely free, before paying for more police on the TTC.