TORONTO — The Toronto Transit Commission is facing $53 million shortfall that could result in possible fare hikes.
TTC Chair Josh Colle thinks a cash fare increase is likely, but wants to see a freeze in Metropass costs.
“I think there might be an increase to other fare medium too, but I wanted put a line in the sand to leave Metropasses alone,” Colle said.
“Metropass users have increasingly paid more and more every year. The incline has been dramatic and we’ve left cash fare alone for a long time.”
The City has yet to announce possible subsidy for the TTC, which could impact the amount of a fare increase.
“We don’t know what the gap is now because of the enhancement to the Sunday opening, the streetcar reliability, bus reliability and off peak on express bus are all great services to add, but is that $10 million, is it $12 million, we need to know that before we make decision on what the gap will be that may have to be bridge by fare increases,” Colle said.
In 2015, the cost of a monthly Metropass was increased from $133.75 to $141.50.
In addition to fare hikes and monthly pass freezes, the committee voted to bring earlier Sunday service to the TTC board.
After issuing an open letter last Thursday, Mayor John Tory and Councillor Colle announced they will be asking the budget committee to consider earlier opening subway service at 8 a.m. on Sundays.
READ MORE: Tory, Colle push for Metropass price freeze, increased TTC service on Sundays
Subway service currently begins operating at 9 a.m. on Sunday.
The TTC board will meet on Nov. 3 to discuss recommendations put forward by the budget committee.
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