The Procrastination Station

TTC fares are soon to be raised to $3, with no planned increase in service. The Torontonians are furious and plan to protest! The plan is to NOT take the TTC on Nov 13, 2009. With enough people boycotting the TTC on that day, it will let them know of our dissatisfaction and spark debate over this highly controversial fare hike. Join the 6000+ others who will not take this sitting down (on a TTC seat) If you have nothing better to do, get involved and come to the Fare Discussion Meeting.

Nov 13, 2009 – Fare Protest
Nov 19, 2009 – Fare Discussion Meeting
Jan 3, 2010 – New Fare Effective Date

I am attending this event, though it is going to be as useless as trying to bargain with an automated token dispenser. In fact, they already reduced the number of tokens you can buy at one time. You’re only allowed to buy 5 tokens, instead of the usual 10, because they are worried about people hoarding tokens. People are buying lots of tokens and they “don’t” want that? The only reason I can think of is that fare hike has already been decided and the “fare meeting” is merely there to pretend they are listening.

TTC has a monopoly on the only cheap method of transportation. They could raise the fare to $4 and nobody can do anything about it. Let’s face it, the majority of TTC riders are poor, being more environmentally friendly, or reducing traffic congestion. As long as it is cheaper than owning a car or taking a taxi, people are going to take the TTC regardless of the price.

The government should just tax gasoline another 2%. Less drivers means less traffic, less smog, less potholes to fix, remaining drivers get to their destinations faster, and more money to the TTC. The TTC union should also be abolished and everyone with an over-sized paycheck takes a pay cut or a pink slip. The bus drivers get paid close to what they deserve, but the fare collectors can easily be replaced by a McDonald’s cashier for 1/3 the wage. As for the people running the whole thing, they should all be fired and replaced by people who actually care and are willing to take up the position for minimal salary.