TTC puts off dramatic cuts to transit system
Last Updated: Friday, July 20, 2007 | 7:22 PM ET
CBC News
Some of the threatened cuts to Toronto's transit system were put on hold Friday following an emergency meeting of the Toronto Transit Commission, but service improvements have been shelved.
The TTC board decided to start doing some of the planning that would be needed to shut down the Sheppard Avenue subway line and cancel 20 or more bus routes. But it put off a final decision on both until the fall, following public consultations.
There was also no decision on a threatened fare increase. That decision has also been put off until September.
The commission did cancel service improvements scheduled for the fall that included extending service hours and expanding routes.
It also abandoned plans to put 100 new buses into service this fall.
TTC chair Adam Giambrone had said Thursday that radical surgery would be needed to trim $30 million this year and $100 million next year from the agency's $1.1-billion budget.
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What city services would you be prepared to give up or have reduced? |
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CBC.ca Your View readers have their say: How about cutting spending on unnecessary and useless construction projects, designed to "enhance" city dwelling experience, and which consistently run over budget? Good example is the roundabout on Windermere Street in the west end of the city, which slows down traffic, TTC buses, and causes accidents, without any benefits to commuters, TTC riders, pedestrians, or cyclists. — Max B. You have a spending problem not a revenue problem. Your wage rates (generally) are way too high! $50,000+ for a garbage collector, $40,000+ for a file clerk. These are at best $12 to $14 an hour jobs. No wonder you have a problem — Michael P. City hall renovations should be delayed, NPS [Nathan Phillip Square] is fine the way it is. Attendants at TTC stations are redundant. In Europe and New York the stations can only be accessed by transit passes and tickets. Having staff sitting counting tokens is a total waste of money. Pay freezes should be implemented, in a way that is fair. Management and the political class should lead the way. — Greg R. What is wrong with spreading the tax burden over tourists (hotel, entertainment tax) and those who are affluent and can spend more? (alcohol tax) Otherwise, we are going to end up paying the whole burden ourselves through property taxes. The city can only make so many cuts. — Ray F. Cutting should start with the non-essentials. I'm looking at you, Toronto Arts Council. When there's a budget crunch, the city should look at maintaining and improving infrastructure, emergency services and transit while cutting absolutely everything that doesn't meet that end. Once its back on good financial footing, that stuff can be reinstated. — David J. Widmann I do not want to pay another $60 registration fee for my car while the 905ers driving into Toronto don't pay anything while road repair costs go up, congestion worsens and pollution is created. — Anne LeBlanc I think Toronto should start charging for the pickup of large items, such as couches and refrigerators. I think they should significantly reduce the number of side streets that they plow for snow in the winter. I have seen city crews tending flowers in a grassy area near my house that should be eliminated completely. — Chris |
"The commission today took prudent action," he said Friday. "We are doing all the work needed to shut down the subway. It will be before the commission in September. If we cannot deal with the financial situation, that threat remains very real."
The cuts are a response to Mayor David Miller's call for spending reductions. That call came after the defeat Monday of his proposal to impose new taxes, designed to haul the city out of a $500-million funding hole.
After heated debate, council voted to delay a decision on land transfer and vehicle registration taxes until October.
The taxes were intended to raise more than $365 million.
Coun. Denzil Minnan-Wong said Friday's decision proves that there was some fear mongering going on at City Hall.
"One day they've got to call an emergency meeting because they're going to cut routes and close the subway. And in the next breath, they're saying, 'Well maybe not, we haven't actually completely thought it out yet and we'd like to consult with the public.'
"They create a hysteria one day and the next day they say the emergency doesn't [exist] — that we don't have to make a decision today."
Subway riders shocked
Along the five-station route of the Sheppard subway, passengers told CBC News they are angry at the suggestion it could be down at the beginning of 2008.
The route is lined with new condominium developments that heavily market their subway connection. One rider told CBC's Jamie Strashin that the subway link was why she moved there.
"I might as well move out if I have to take the bus."
The idea of shutting down a new line after spending $1 billion to build it is "ridiculous," said another. "I'm just in shock."
Some CBC.ca visitors aren't so sure it will ever come to that, though.
"Miller will generate enough fear and panic to manipulate the public into approving his tax increases," wrote Helga in a Your View post. "Mr. Miller, you are a very good politician."
Others focused on the environmental impact of TTC cuts.
"A city that wants to become eco-friendly should protect the TTC budget! Why make it more difficult for people to commute and stop using their cars?"
The Sheppard subway opened in 2002 after eight years of construction that cost almost $1 billion. About 40,000 riders a day use its five stations.
