The Toronto Transit Commission is set to decide today how it will trim millions from its budget this year and next, following consultation with the public using an online survey that is being questioned by a polling expert.

The TTC needs to cut $30 million from this year's budget and a further $100 million in 2008 as part of the city's plan to balance its books.

The Toronto transit commission faces a $130 million budget reduction, its part of the city's budget crisis.
(Paul Chiasson/CP Photo)

Adam Giambrone, chair of the TTC, said recently that fare hikes are likely.  "There are some people who would like us to raise their taxes or if not … are looking for us to find other efficiencies," he said. 

Giambrone believes the survey provides a realistic reflection of public opinion, but a polling expert said it doesn't meet the basic requirements of a legitimate public opinion poll.

Tim Woolstencroft, a senior partner with the polling firm Strategic Counsel, examined the TTC survey and noted serious problems, including its reliance on voluntary responses, with no effort to get a random sample.

"The people who are responding tend to be the strongest proponents or opponents, so it tends to get not a good view of opinion across the board," he said.
 
Woolstencroft said the questions were loaded to get answers the TTC commissioners want to hear, and it's just not possible to arrive at any useful conclusions based on the survey.

"This process they've engaged in, while it may be good for PR, it's not a good method to get an accurate read of the issues facing the TTC."

Commissioners will get the results of the survey at today's meeting, and then use the information to help decide which services to cut.