LTC Knows the Fare Hike is Bad
The hypocrites on City Council should be held accountable
From staff report #13 in the 2008/09/03 LTC agenda:
The issues and challenges…of the 2009 operating budget…are…similar to those faced in the early 1990’s… In response to the issues of the early to mid 1990’s, London Transit raised fares, cut both on-road and support services… Accordingly, the combined effect…
36% decline in ridership
44% decline in rides per capita
…
And this also: “…the extent of the increase is expected to result in a loss of 131,700 trips, which…is considered a reasonably acceptable loss…
So, contrary to the city’s Transportation Master Plan which says that it’s our goal to get people out of cars and into alternative modes like public transit, and despite the fact that LTC knew in advance that increasing fares will cause ridership to decline, they went ahead and did it anyways (with City Council’s blessing).
What hypocrites!
And this also: “the recommended fare increase may be considered a significant barrier to use of the service by certain riders…” That would be all the folks on OW and ODSP and the working poor.
So, why are fares going up if the increase will have a negative effect?
Because City Council doesn’t want to put money where it’s mouth is.
More from the same report: “The 37% contribution rate is the lowest among London Transit’s peer group in Canada…”
Now compare that with the Hamilton decision.
© Fowler Media
