Potential TTC fare hike could cost students more money and time

Nov 10, 2015 | News

Fare hikes would go towards improving subway tracks and TTC routes.

Fare hikes would go towards improving subway tracks and TTC routes.

By Nicole Williams

Students that Humber News spoke with say they are anxious at what could be yet another price increase to TTC fares.

The TTC is looking to raise prices beginning next year to offset a projected $53 million shortfall.

The hike would also help meet demands for subway maintenance and operations to start an hour earlier on Sundays, Toronto city council was told at a meeting on Monday.

The transit commission’s budget committee meeting discussed implementing potential fare increases of up to 25 cents.

Day passes, senior fares and student fares would see a 10 cent increase.

However, the committee voted to freeze the cost of the monthly Metropass.

Kyana Fletcher, a second year student in the psychology program at the University of Toronto Mississauga, said Tuesday that TTC fare increases over the past five years are a source of stress as she travels to school.

“It’s so much money to commute every day. I’m actually considering a car to see if it’s cheaper,” said Fletcher.

And Fletcher is not the only student considering an automative alternative.

Second year psychology student Alicia Pisco takes two busses her school at Humber College North Campus every day, and said the higher prices mean having to put in more time at her job.

“I have to work to pay for my tuition, and I also have to pay for bus fare,” says Pisco, “I’ll have to work extra hours to do that now.”

Pisco said she is considering borrowing a car, or splitting one with her brother.

The Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) of Ontario told Humber News the increase would be a step in the wrong direction.

“These fare hikes disproportionally affects students who rely on transit to get to school,” Rajean Hoilett, chairperson for CFS of Ontario told Humber News.

Hoilett said that more affordable transit needs to be a priority for the TTC.

“We haven’t seen enough improvements over the past couple of increases to make it worth it for students,” said Hoilett.

‘Let TTC know’

One local politician said the public needs to voice their concern.

“The TTC is always under a lot of financial pressure every year,” Toronto city councillor John Campbell told Humber News.

“If riders are frustrated, they need to let the TTC know.”

Campbell said that increasing fares is necessary if riders want to see improvements.

“The more you add, the more subsidies are required,” said Campbell.

When asked if rider budgets could be relieved with support from the new Liberal government in Ottawa, Campbell said it wasn’t likely.

“The federal government is supportive of major track improvements and subways,” said Campbell.

Proposed earlier Sunday start

“But I don’t think they’ll get into the habit of funding our operation because then they would have to look at an ongoing cost of supporting all municipalities.”

That means the riders will have to pay more if they want to see changes like the subways operating an hour earlier on Sundays, which Mayor John Tory last week said he wanted to see happen.

“Another hour is another cost pressure. The city is going to have to get a subsidy or dip into the wallets of the fare paying public,” said Campbell.

As well, Campbell said most TTC riders come from middle to lower class jobs and don’t have a lot of extra cash to be paying for these changes.

“But that’s where we have to go.”

With files from Nick Westoll.