Would service cuts or a fare increase prompt transit riders to stop using the TTC?

These are things Toronto's transit bosses want to know as they look at squeezing savings out of the financially troubled system.

The TTC is asking Toronto residents to fill out a survey before transit commissioners meet on Sept. 12 to consider such cuts as the closing down the Sheppard subway line or eliminating poorly used bus routes.

NO MASSIVE CUTS

«The issue here really comes down to what sort of TTC you want to actually have. This is really what we have to start out by asking ourselves,» said TTC chairman Adam Giambrone. «Certainly, our vision for the TTC isn't one that sees massive numbers of cuts.»

The survey -- available online at the TTC's website, ttc.ca -- gives respondents the choice of higher municipal taxes, a fare increase and/or service reductions when asking for the best way to deal with the TTC's funding problems.

One question asks respondents: If the TTC were to raise fares by 10 cents to 25 cents a ride, would they drive, ride with someone else or continue to use the TTC?

Another asks: If the TTC reduced service on a route used by a respondent, would that person drive, ride with someone else or continue to use the TTC?

«Who's going to say they want to have a fare increase? Nobody,» said Councillor Doug Holyday. «Who's going to want to do without service? Nobody. The fact is some tough decisions have to be made here and they have to be made by the people elected to make them.»

People have until Sept. 10 to fill out the survey, which will be distributed at subway stations, malls, Humber College and the University of Toronto's Scarborough campus.

The TTC is looking to fill a $100-million financial hole next year following city council's decision last month to put off making a decision until Oct. 22 about whether to impose new controversial taxes. Giambrone, a Toronto councillor, estimated that belt-tightening measures already taken by the TTC will shave about $30 million off the 2008 total.

Plans had called for city council to approve a new land-transfer tax and vehicle registration fee last month so it could start collecting revenue from the new levies in January.

If Toronto's municipal politicians decide on Oct. 22 to impose them, it will be at least the end of March before the collection system is in place.

As a result, the city would collect less money from the new revenues than initially

(Toronto Sun)
ZEN RURYK, CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEF