Last Updated Feb 10 2005 06:47 AM EST CBC News
TORONTO — Faced with a $10 million budget shortfall, the Toronto Transit Commission has voted to raise fares by 10 to 25 cents next month.
The March 6 increase will push the cash fare to $2.50 from the current $2.25, while the cost of 10 tickets or tokens will increase $1 to $20.
The March 6 increase will push the cash fare to $2.50 from the current $2.25, while the cost of 10 tickets or tokens will increase $1 to $20.
The price of a Metropass will remain unchanged at $98.75.
Commissioners voted Wednesday to raise the fares to finance a plan to buy more buses, hire more drivers, and expand routes, particularly in suburban areas.
“This is one of the most painful decisions we’ve had to make,” said TTC chair Howard Moscoe.
“Improving service is more important than raising fares. We’ve made that choice here through this budget.”
The TTC’s budget forecast now assumes that the system will carry an additional two million riders this year.
David ShinerCouncillor David Shiner predicted that ridership would actually go down in response to the fare hike.
Councillor David Shiner predicted that ridership would actually go down in response to the fare hike.
“It’s not the people who can afford a Metropass that are getting hurt. It’s the people who can’t afford a Metropass, that have to pay on a day-by-day basis for a ticket or a token,” said Shiner, the only commissioner to vote against any fare increase.
“Our statistics have shown us that we’re going to lose riders over this.”
