Transit Revenue Deniers (TRDs) damage economy and environment.

Transit Revenue Deniers (or TRDs as I prefer to call them)  are hurting our economy and our environment. 

The NDP, likes to promote itself as a party of the people, but one must ask, which people? Commuters? I don't think so.  The financially vulnerable? That's a laugh! It seems that the NDP is only interested in helping out the wealthiest citizens in the province.

We have seen how Andrea Horwath and the NDP like to help the wealthiest citizens with the NDP idea to reduce auto insurance rates 15% across the board, a move that will help wealthy  car owners with multiple and/or large vehicles.

It's an idea that seems very similar to their call to remove the HST on home heating. Again, who will this benefit the most? The wealthiest citizens with large homes! It does nothing to promote conservation and nothing to help the environment.

Is this the NDP decision making die?

The NDP brought gambling to Ontario in the 1990's. The province now has 24 casinos and another five planned.  So it would seem to me that the NDP have no problem taking money from the most financially vulnerable people in the province to pay for the infrastructure that all of Ontario needs. The only concern they seem to have with casinos seems to be the privatization of them. Never-mind the financially vulnerable pensioners and unemployed who are spending their last few dollars hoping to win big at one of these revenue generators.

Yet, when it comes to the ideas put forth by the Toronto Board of Trade, to pay for transit, Horwath says no dice!

In a release yesterday The Toronto Board of Trade says it is advancing for discussion, four revenue tools that are balanced, fair, and economically responsible.

They are:

Revenue Tool                  Approx. mid-range rate                                Annual Revenue Potential

Regional Sales Tax                        1%                                                                 $1.0 - 1.6B

Parking Space Levy                      $1 per space per day                                       $1.2- 1.6B

Regional fuel tax                           10-cent/litre                                                     $640- 840M

High-occupancy toll lanes             30-cent/km for single drivers                             $25 - 45M

Chart from: Metro News

Granted, there are pros and cons to all of the ideas, but I have to agree with Green Party leader Mike Schreiner who is criticizing the NDP for hurting the economy and environment by refusing to support dedicated revenue tools to fund public transit. Schreiner said yesterday, "NDP leader Andrea Horwath sounds like Rob Ford when it comes to funding public transit. Ontario's economy will grind to a halt if we don't reduce gridlock with dedicated revenue for public transit."

And, he isn't the only one. Matt Elliot of Metro News also compares Rob Ford to Andrea Horwath, calling them "Transit Revenue Deniers" likening them  to climate change deniers who won't admit there is a problem.

Toronto Transit Commission Chair, Karen Stinz said, "It seems to me a little bit of an odd statement for the NDP and Rob Ford to be on the same side,"

It has been well documented that gridlock costs the GTHA economy $6 billion per year in lost productivity. If the status quo doesn't change, gridlock will cost the economy $15 billion per year. Congestion hurts our health, environment and takes precious time away from family and community.

"NDP leader Andrea Horwath sounds like Rob Ford when it comes to funding public transit," says GPO leader Mike Schreiner.

"Ontario's economy will grind to a halt if we don't reduce gridlock 

with dedicated revenue for public transit."

The Green Party is calling on MPPs in the minority legislature

to support dedicated funding for transit.

"We need to be realistic about funding public transit," adds Schreiner. "People are tired of being stuck in traffic. They understand that we can't afford transit improvements without new revenue. It's unfortunate the NDP is standing in the way of better public transit for those who need it most."

"The NDP are wasting the opportunity they have in the minority legislature to leave a great legacy...by funding world-class transit across the province,” adds Schreiner. “We need to change direction in transportation planning, and we need to be realistic about funding. Wishful thinking won’t fund transit."

Ontario can't afford to let gridlock continue. Better transit benefits everyone, not just the wealthy. It means less congestion, fewer accidents and less pollution. So lets stop listening to these TRDs like Horwath and Ford and move forward on transit for the benefit of all of us who live in the GTA.

~Mark Daye is the Green Party of Ontario candidate for Toronto Centre and the Community & Social Services Critic.

The Downfall of Rob Ford's Subway Vision

TTC Customer Service Advisory Panel Report Released Today

The Toronto Transit Commission Customer Service Advisory Panel released it's report today and made several recommendations and observations covering many topics including; "A Renewed Focus on Customer Service", "Communicating with Customers", "Internal TTC Communications", "TTC Employees", "Fare Media and Payment Systems", "TTC “Spaces”, Volunteers, and Communities" and "Responsibilities of the TTC and Its Customers".

One recommendations that I feel is extremely important states;

"The TTC must create a “Culture of Customer Service.” The TTC does not have a defined “Customer Service Vision.” As a result, there is not a unified call to action on improving the TTC’s customer service delivery."

The report is quite thorough and covers some pretty major topics and some things that may seem minor. One that I feel is important is this;

"OBSERVATION 2R
Many customers stand right in the doorway of the subway cars, which blocks and slows down passengers getting on or off.

RECOMMENDATION 2R: Review Subway Door Signage
The TTC should review the current signs that say, “Do not block doorway.” A more effective sign should be developed and used on all subway car doors."

I know many people have been waiting and hoping for some positive change on the TTC, we can only hope!

Workout for TTC Employees

I saw this video response to Adam Giambrone's video on Youtube announcing that he is running for mayor. I would have made my own video response to Adams video but I don't need to thanks to 'Jogbird'.

Revised TTC Bylaw No.1 to be applied starting October 12

For the past several months, TTC Special Constables have been educating and making passengers aware of the changes to the by-law, including the increased fines associated with it. For example, the fine for smoking on TTC property was $95. It is now set at $195, plus a victim fine surcharge of $35. Fines for other infractions, such as “altering fare media,” are now set at $345, plus a $75 victim fine surcharge.

The most frequent offenses include entering a station illegally, smoking, failing to tender proper fare, and littering. The TTC also has the authority now to enforce and apply fines with respect to priority seating, laying across seats or having feet on seats, and obstructing doors.  Read the  TTC news release here.

I've lived in Toronto now for more than ten years and I regularly use the TTC. In that ten years I think I have seen perhaps two of these 'Special Constables'. So, to all you idiots who have no manners and block the doors and put your feet up, you really have nothing to worry about. It would be nice for once to see people get on the subway, and off for that matter, taking into consideration that there are others behind you and they may need to get on or off as well.  

TTC fare hike talk gains momentum

With a fare hike possible as early as the New Year, the TTC is being accused of blaming its best customers for its poor financial picture.

Transit officials are already looking at potential increases that could go into effect as soon as Jan. 1, according to Peter Milczyn, one of 11 councillors serving on the Toronto Transit Commission.

Although no decision has been made, he suggested the TTC could wring more revenue out of its popular Metropass.

A TTC report before the commission today says that most of a $17.4 million shortfall in the operating revenue is due to the popularity of the all-you-can-ride monthly pass, earning an average of $1.77 per ride, compared with a projected $1.80.

Source: Thestar.com

This is bullshit. The transit hike has become as predictable as the increase we see from Canada Post every year.

Please write to Adam Giambrone and tell him a fare hike is unacceptable.

TTC Screws up maps

The CN Tower is a 10-minute jaunt from St. Andrew subway station. But a new TTC map posted at the station doesn't show that.

According to the map, the Toronto landmark doesn't exist. Neither does the Rogers Centre or City Hall.

The maps, intended to show transit users what city sites are nearby, have been raising eyebrows since they started to appear three weeks ago.

Full Story

TTC Chair Adam Giambrone says "part of the issue is there is no one who oversees map creation". Well Mr. Giambrone, as the TTC Chair I would say that automatically makes it your job since there is no literate manager or otherwise qualified TTC employee to do it, and obviously you are not doing your job very well. Furthermore, for a paper like The Star to be reporting this says quite a bit considering how many typos and spelling errors they print everyday! This is just one more pathetic example of what Toronto has deteriorated to under the Miller regime.

Letter To Kyle Rae

I wrote a letter to Toronto Centre-Rosedale city councilor Kyle Rae today to express my displeasure with this ongoing nut squeezing of the city of Toronto by greedy unions.

After reading Mr. Rae's reply, my conclusion is that city council, or at the very least Councillor Rae is passing the buck by saying;

"the Mayor has indicated that the proposed settlements fall within the bargaining parameters established by the City's Labour Relations Committee.".

In other words, they get to keep banking sick days and ripping us off even though it has been recently reported that the fund only has something like less than half of the amount needed to pay off these gougers. I am sick and tired of this nonsense.

And while we're on the topic, is there some logical reason why a TTC collector is being paid more than 125K a year? He's a friggin TTC collector for gods sake, and now he is charged with stealing from the TTC. I guess 125K isn't enough for some people! Is it just me or has this city gone completely fucking insane!

Here is my letter and Kyle Rae's reply:

I am NOT impressed by Mr. Miller's total lack of concern for the
citizens of Toronto. Letting the union workers bank sick days is just
another step towards bankrupting this city. I will not be voting for
him, or you in the next election should you decide to approve this rip
off of a deal. Fire these lazy bastards and give the jobs to people
who really want to work and save us all some money. This council is a
JOKE!

By the way, it has come to my attention that you don't feel the need
to reply to your constituents emails. You may want to rethink that
stance.

Mark Daye, Toronto

Hello Mark,

Thank you for your email.

I have yet to see the details of the tentative agreements. However, the Mayor has indicated that the proposed settlements fall within the bargaining parameters established by the City's Labour Relations Committee. These parameters reflect the City's ability to pay during what are certainly challenging economic times.

Again, thank you for writing. I appreciate your candid feedback.

Kyle

Since this post, I noticed a friend wrote to Kyle today too. He got the same reply. Word for word. So, Kyle (or a staffer) is obviously just pounding out the canned reply to anyone who mentions the strike.

Streetcar and update...

I know, I've been lax in posting lately, but it is spring and I have been working almost every day lately so posting to the blog gets put aside.

Here is a picture I took a few days ago when David and I were out for Luminato, and then I was pissed off because the exhibit was closed and they hadn't posted the update online.  I was not impressed, and of course had to write a strongly worded letter to say so! To their credit, they did write back and apologize, stating that there was a "communication error". Hopefully this is a rarity, this was my first foray into the Luminato experience and it was not very good.

Toronto Pride is beginning at the end of this week, which will mean a week of tourists from around the world, lots of parties, drugs, sex, and dance music will be the order of the week by some but not all.

In other news, I hope the Iranian opposition supporters continue their quest for a recount as there is obviously some irregularities happening over there.  And since were on the international news, North Korea needs to be put in its place big time!

That is all for now, my Hamburger Helper is now ready.

Click on the image to view full size. 

Update: Google Transit

You may recall my post regarding Google Transit and the TTC. I wrote to TTC Chair, Adam Giambrone to ask if they had any plans to become part of the Google Transit site and this is Mr. Giambrones reply:

"The TTC is aware of this Google site and have been in touch with
representatives from Google to discuss options related to it. At this time
however, there are no concrete plans for the TTC to be added to this
site."

Thanks to Adam for getting back to us so promptly. We think he's doing a great job as TTC Chair (and is one of the cutest politicians ever) and the TTC seems to be getting better these days because of his hard work!

Google Transit Search

Here is something new and cool from Google. This site alllows you to enter an address where you are and a destination address and the search engine will give you detailed public transit directions.

It comes as no surprise to me at all that our wonderful Toronto Transit Commision is NOT included as part of this search, although there are some Canadian cities involved including; Vancouver, BC, Fredericton, NB, and Montreal, QC.

I've written to TTC Chair Adam Giambrone to ask if the TTC will be taking part in this in the future. I think it is a good way to make public transit much more user friendly. I'll let you know what he has to say.

TTC Service (Oxymoron)

Please use their online form yourself the next time you have a problem. If we make noise maybe they will at some point begin to listen. Here is the link.
Or call them 8am-5pm only!!!! 416-393-3030 How lame is that? Yeah TTC service. HA!

My letter of complaint this morning:

Sherbourne St. Bus 75 South.

This bus was late. AGAIN. Just about every morning it is the same thing. LATE BUSES. I waited at Bloor/Sherbourne from 9:00 until 9:15. I began walking passing masses of others at Wellesly waiting for the late bus, AGAIN.

I finally see a bus coming. IT is so FULL there is no room. By this time I am almost to Carlton street. What is coming behind this bus? Another bus, half full, so you see the volume? This bus decides to sit behind another bus at Dundas for several minutes. I finally arrive at work at Richmond St. at 9:35 am

Now, I'm done. I am buying a bike today.

Corrie Canuck Pub Night

Wednesday, August 1, 2007 at 7 pm
Auld Spot Pub
347 Danforth Avenue
Toronto, ON

Here is a map. It's just west of Chester Station for anyone using the TTC.

Click here for the post from Corrie Canuck.