Waiting in line for rationed tokens. Well, it seems like I am not alone. Below is an excerpt of the Metro front page story for November 18, 2009.
As the line to buy a token ran 35 deep at Union Station, transit users reacted in disgust to the TTC fare increase — calling it a low blow during the recession after the TTC voted yesterday to hike fares.
“I’m sure they could have found some other ways to cut costs,” Edmund Persad said before getting on the University line. “Most people are working class who use it, and it’s taking advantage of their vulnerability.”
But even with a few minor victories, the increase still incensed riders already fed up with token rationing.
“The working class has to pay more for a system that’s broken,” said Andrea Miliauskas after she was told there weren’t any tokens left at Union Station. “The system hasn’t gotten any better.”
Waiting for a train on the Yonge line, Daniel Xiao said he “might start driving.”
“It’s a big mistake,” rider Carole Higgins said of the increase. “There’ll be more cars on the road.”
By the numbers
$3: Adult cash fares rise to $3 from $2.75 and monthly passes increase to $121 from $109
$2: The new student fares will be $2, up from $1.85, with a monthly pass costing $99
$45M: The fare increase takes effect Jan. 3 and is expected to bring in $45 million in new revenue as the TTC attempts to deal with a $100-million budget shortfall
11M: The increase approved Tuesday means risking the loss of 11 million riders, TTC chief general manager Gary Webster said. Between 1990 and 1996, the TTC lost 90 million riders when its subsidy dropped 40 per cent and fare increases had to be introduced alongside service cuts.
Then today, around the evening commute time -- the service was down on some areas due to tunnel problems.
As the line to buy a token ran 35 deep at Union Station, transit users reacted in disgust to the TTC fare increase — calling it a low blow during the recession after the TTC voted yesterday to hike fares.
“I’m sure they could have found some other ways to cut costs,” Edmund Persad said before getting on the University line. “Most people are working class who use it, and it’s taking advantage of their vulnerability.”
But even with a few minor victories, the increase still incensed riders already fed up with token rationing.
“The working class has to pay more for a system that’s broken,” said Andrea Miliauskas after she was told there weren’t any tokens left at Union Station. “The system hasn’t gotten any better.”
Waiting for a train on the Yonge line, Daniel Xiao said he “might start driving.”
“It’s a big mistake,” rider Carole Higgins said of the increase. “There’ll be more cars on the road.”
By the numbers
$3: Adult cash fares rise to $3 from $2.75 and monthly passes increase to $121 from $109
$2: The new student fares will be $2, up from $1.85, with a monthly pass costing $99
$45M: The fare increase takes effect Jan. 3 and is expected to bring in $45 million in new revenue as the TTC attempts to deal with a $100-million budget shortfall
11M: The increase approved Tuesday means risking the loss of 11 million riders, TTC chief general manager Gary Webster said. Between 1990 and 1996, the TTC lost 90 million riders when its subsidy dropped 40 per cent and fare increases had to be introduced alongside service cuts.
Then today, around the evening commute time -- the service was down on some areas due to tunnel problems.
Chaos at Yonge and Bloor as people wait for the bus.TTC - the terrible way!
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