Transit advocates to speak out against new TTC service cuts


Transit advocates are speaking out against new TTC service reductions that came into effect on a number of routes over the weekend.

Volunteers will be handing out flyers that voice their concerns as weekday Toronto commuters experience the reduced service for the first time on Monday morning.

The group TTCriders say the cuts are a further erosion of service and will have the greatest impact on marginalized communities in the city. Members will speak to members of the media at Spadina Station at 8:30 a.m.

A recent study from Toronto Metropolitan University found the cuts would disproportionately impact those who depend on public transit for their everyday needs. The report suggests more than 80 per cent of the affected routes run through neighbourhoods with high poverty rates, high immigration and higher unemployment rates.

The TTC cuts will impact 37 bus, streetcar, and subway routes and admit that some of the changes will result in longer wait times for customers. The agency claims the reductions aim to improve reliability and say “capacity will be matched to ridership demand.”

The move is expected to reduce operating costs by $50 million in 2023.

Overall ridership remains at around 67 per cent of what it was pre-pandemic. The TTC forecasts ridership increasing to 75 per cent of pre-pandemic levels by the end of this year.

The service reductions come into effect a little over a week before the TTC is set to increase fares for youth and adults by 10 cents.

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