More than two million riders take the TTC every day. Here a streetcar rolls along Spadina Avenue. (Carolyn Ryan/CBC)

After much debate, Toronto city council narrowly decided on Thursday not to ask the province to declare the TTC an essential service.

The debate lasted most of Thursday afternoon and in the end the motion was defeated by a 23-22 vote.

Coun. Cliff Jenkins spearheaded the call to declare the TTC an essential service. He argued against the notion that the designation will cost too much in wages and benefits for TTC workers.

Councillors who supported declaring the service essential pointed out that nearly two million riders who depend on on the transit system are thrown into chaos when the system isn't working and Toronto businesses lose an estimated $50 million each day during a TTC work stoppage.

Businesses in Toronto lose an estimated $50 million each day during a TTC work stoppage. (CP file photo)

But councillors on the other side of the debate gave many reasons for their opposition.

Some argued it would not prevent disruptions in transit service and pointed to a work-to-rule campaign almost 20 years ago that lasted 41 days and was far more disruptive than any strike.

Other councillors said they support the collective bargaining process and said workers should be able to bargain in good faith during labour negotiations.

In April, a surprise strike by TTC workers shut down the system for nearly two days before the provincial legislature could be recalled to pass back-to-work legislation.