You think TTC employees are rude and inconsiderate? Look at some of the idiots they have to deal with every day! When you’re a regular rider, you see them all. You think the TTC costs too much? Get real and stop whining. I calculate that most people are fortunate if they can get car insurance for the cost of a Metropass.
Some say that if the TTC doesn’t lower fares, they’ll start driving to work. These are the same people that probably complain about pollution and global warming as they drive around in their SUVs.
Bottom line is this: if the people of Toronto used public transit to get to work and on occasion after the workday, for their errands or outings, they would be healthier (save on health care), there would be a huge reduction in all pollution as well as carbon dioxide generation and TTC revenue would be sufficient to freeze fares and continue expanding and improving the transit system.
I don’t think one needs a Royal Commission to figure this out — it’s just common sense.
Bob Green, Toronto
Why is TTC pass so expensive?
I understand the need for adjusting fares to match the costs of running the transit system, but why is the monthly pass so expensive?
In Montreal, where the subway system is immensely more developed than Toronto’s, a monthly pass costs $61, whereas tickets sell for $11.25 for six, roughly $1.87 each, cash fare is $2.50.
So, a monthly pass is really attractive because I can save money when using it to go to work (about $15 saving monthly). With the TTC, the Metropass costs me more than paying with tickets. Telling people to buy it and get “free” rides to the gym in the morning does not really catch the attention or seem logical.
Most other cities I know around the world offer weekly or monthly “worker’s passes” that cost less than individual fares. Why not here?
I bet you that, if the TTC would reduce the Metropass to $65, it would sell an awful lot more and really increase the ridership and associated revenue it keeps losing now.
François Ouellette, Toronto
Officials need math, economics lessons
Re: TTC to hike fares, Feb. 10:
Where did TTC chair Howard Moscoe go to school? Twenty-five cents on a $2.25 fare is 11 per cent; 20 cents on the $1.50 for seniors and students is 13 per cent. Inflation is around 3 per cent.
Even if this is the first fare raise in two years, this can hardly be considered “barely covering inflation.”
And where did the “officials” come up with the idea that higher fares will equal more rides? Economics 101 tells us the more you charge, the fewer will buy.
All previous fare increases resulted in loss of ridership; adding a few more runs a day, unless it’s during rush hour, won’t mean people will abandon cars, especially if it costs more.
