[Darkstar416]

or one, I think the TTC would be well served by getting people hooked on transit. Second, I think it might open up the rest of Toronto for some of the UofT students who tend to stay confined to campus and its surroundings - this would be good for both the city and the students.

Great first post...welcome aboard!

 

[Chuck100]

Welcome!

I think the TTC would be well served by getting people hooked on transit.

Like my fellow non commuters, I'm hooked on walking and cycling, which is far healthier, cheaper for both us and taxpayers, and better for the environment. Take a walk down any downtown street, and look at how many people are on the sidewalk. Imagine how many millions of dollars would have to be spent to buy new vehicles of those people got lazy and started to use the TTC for 5 minute trips.

Second, I think it might open up the rest of Toronto for some of the UofT students who tend to stay confined to campus and its surroundings.

I don't think it would open up the city. With classes and school work, it's not really possible to go exploring every day. When I do have the time, it's infrequent enough that I'd rather spend 4 bucks round trip than $59 a month.

 

[scarberiankhatru]

"Take a walk down any downtown street, and look at how many people are on the sidewalk. Imagine how many millions of dollars would have to be spent to buy new vehicles of those people got lazy and started to use the TTC for 5 minute trips."

Walking is invariably faster than subways or streetcars downtown. Those lazy people already greatly inflate ridership on routes like the College and Queen streetcars, where umpteen thousand people a day ride them for three blocks to or from a subway station.

 

[cdl42]

"Walking is invariably faster than subways or streetcars downtown."

Maybe for the odd block here and there during rush hours, otherwise this statement is total bunk. I challenge you to a race from King to Bloor, you on foot and me on subway.

Though, I must agree that the pointless short rides that people take are aggravating. Not only do I think that there are far too many stops on the surface system, but I think distances should be even further apart on either side of a subway stop to encourage walking.

 

[boiler2000]

I regularly go between King/Spadina and College/Grace. This involves two streetcars, the 510 and the 506. Except in rush hours, or when unusually lucky, taking streetcars takes about 30 minutes with all the waits, and so does walking!

 

[Chuck100]

To clarify, longer distance trips are faster by walking when the percentage of the trip on the subway is below a critical point, and when it's not in a straight line on one street. I would challenge any TTC rider to a race from the Paramount movie theatre to College Park, or from U of T to the Eaton Centre. Even if walking is slightly longer for certain trips, you know that the trip time will never vary, and that's another plus.

 

[mpolo2]

Last sunday I walked along College from University all the way to Clinton hoping to catch a streetcar going my way. None came, by the time I got there. Three went the other way mind you.

 

[Mislav]

That means students could pay nearly $500 more per year in fees with no opt-out option.

:rolleyes

It's funny how the TTC gives corporate CEOs and big businessmen discounted or free metropasses and yet students will have to pay an extra $500 a year.

Why would this make tuition raise by $500?

Money laundering - it's very common in government organizations.

 

[cdl42]

"the TTC gives corporate CEOs and big businessmen discounted or free metropasses"

Wow! You've got some major inside info there! You'd better be getting on telling the media that, becuase the neither the TTC nor the city have any reports of such a program. This is big news! I'm sure you wouldn't be making things like this up.

 

[Mislav]

Wow! You've got some major inside info there! You'd better be getting on telling the media that, becuase the neither the TTC nor the city have any reports of such a program. This is big news! I'm sure you wouldn't be making things like this up.

It was in the Metro 3 years ago, Royal York Hotel I believe.

 

[cdl42]

The Royal York was one of the first businesses (if not THE first) to offer bulk-purchase discount metropasses to their staff, many of which are from very poor households (the norm in the hotel industry). Following the success at the Royal York, the program was eventually expanded to post-secondary institutions like UofT. The program doesn't really cost the TTC any money since the distribution and administration (and associated costs) becomes the responsibilty of the business or institution taking part in the program; the costs get passed on to the businesses and the savings are passed on to those buying the passes.

Now, again, what is this about CEOs getting free metropasses? I'm sure you wouldn't make up such a charge.

 

[green22]

Royal York Hotel has a discounted metropass program for their workers. They are one of the few businesses that took advantage of the bulk discount program. Although theoretically the manager could take advantage of it, once you earn that much money you can afford to buy a year in advance which gives you the same discount $90 a year. The bulk discount program is mainly geared towards workers who might not have a year's metropass funds available to spend. There are no free metropasses given away to the heads of companies that negotiate the benefits and it was employees who lobbied for it.

 

[astObs]

I hate to sound bashful of the TTC, but during rush hour walking from College to King's College Circle is far more reliable than the streetcar.

 

[cdl42]

Okay, I was hoping it wouldn't have to come down to this...

I have photos that implicate Mislav in the theft of several cars of varying makes and models over the past 10 years.

 

[Mislav]

So an organization whose aim is profit and expansion is less efficient than one that's non profit? Wow, I wonder how the Soviet Union fell apart then.

I have photos that implicate Mislav in the theft of several cars of varying makes and models over the past 10 years.

LOL, do you also have photos of me making love to the muffler?