TTC Board approves proposed 10-cent fare hike
On Monday, the TTC Board has approved the 2020 operating and capital budget, which includes hiking fares by 10 cents.
The proposed 2020 budget was released Friday, outlining a 10-cent increase to Presto fares.
The increase would see customers tapping their Presto card paying $3.20 starting March 2020.
Cash fares would remain at $3.25.
The cost of a monthly Presto pass would also increase by $4.85 for an adult, bringing it to $156.
Post-secondary students face an even bigger jump. Their monthly metro passes would increase by $5.70 per month to $117.45.
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The fare hikes would generate an extra $31.4 million in passenger revenues, according to TTC staff.
The budgets still go to city council for final approval.
Last week, Ontario’s NDP transit critic, Jessica Bell, blamed the Doug Ford’s Conservative government for playing a part in the fare hike.
She claimed that voting down a bill to have the province contribute more to transit funding “paved the way” for the fare increase.
TTC fare hike, budget shortfall is Ford’s fault — Ontario NDP Transit critic @JessicaBellTO responds to the release of today’s 2020 TTC budget: #TTC #Transit #onpoli #topoli pic.twitter.com/R8lvtFzP7X
— Ontario NDP (@OntarioNDP) December 13, 2019
TTC staff also proposed hiring an additional 142 positions, including 50 new enforcement hires in their Revenue Protection Initiative.
On Friday, Toronto Mayor John Tory issued a statement saying he “welcomes” the hiring of more personnel to crack down on fare evasion.
“It is totally unacceptable for people to ride the TTC without paying their fare — it’s theft,” he said.
He added he’s pleased to see TTC address the problem, particularly on streetcars.
My statement on the proposed 2020 TTC budget. pic.twitter.com/Mw79c5ksDk
— John Tory (@JohnTory) December 13, 2019
With files from Megan Devlin.
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