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Report Recommends Distance-Based Fare System to Pay for Transit Expansion

Posted By: Suzette Francis · 1/29/2013 12:01:00 PM

If you use the TTC to get around, how would you feel about paying more based on how far you're travelling?

That's one idea being tossed around in a 116-page report from the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario, on how to expand public transit in the Greater Toronto & Hamilton Area.

The report titled "Financing Roads and Public Transit in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area",  says new sources of revenue are needed to operate and maintain planned projects that Metrolinx has set aside an estimated $50 billion worth of capital for.

The report written by Harry Kitchen, Professor in the Department of Economics at Trent University and Robin Lindsey, Professor in the Sauder School of Business at University of British Columbia, says there could be economic impacts if traffic congestion isn't dealt with.

"The GTHA is Canada's economic powerhouse but this position will slip if traffic congestion is not properly managed through better pricing structures. Unless significant revenues are devoted to infrastructure improvements, it will negatively impact the potential of this region," says Kitchen.

The report also suggests road tolls be introduced on the 400 series highways to raise $40-billion needed to expand public tansit.

The report also addreses the issue of parking downtown, and what would happen if there were fewer spaces at premium prices. It recommends that restructured parking fees be based on occupancy rates, including escalating hourly rates rather than maximum charges.

The group is also calling on the province to look at commercial parking taxes, vehicle taxes and regional fuel or sales taxes.

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  1. Gregrre posted on 01/29/2013 12:49 PM
    How about getting individuals who reside outside Toronto, to help pay for the ttc since they do not pay property taxes The source of The ttc funds since Mike Harris downloaded it to the city. Quite simple add a deduction at the employer level and remit to the city of toronto.
    1. ron posted on 01/29/2013 02:46 PM
      @Gregrre Brilliant idea. Yes, sure people are going to go along with that. I don't use the TTC, dont't intend to use the TTC and I will NOT pay to subsidize the TTC. Maybe if the powers that be were more fiscally responsible it wouldn't be in theis mess. But don't expect outsiders to subsidize it. My taxeas are alreday higher than residents of Toronto.
    2. gregrre posted on 01/29/2013 03:34 PM
      @ron Well then you can pay tolls to get to work. If you live outside toronto and work in toronto you should help to pay for the roads you are using but making no contribution to.
    3. CoffeeCon posted on 01/29/2013 05:39 PM
      @gregrre All day kindergarten, anyone? LOL mcguinty and the liberals are a joke; we have real problems that NEED to be solved.
    4. proton posted on 01/30/2013 07:31 AM
      @Gregrre there we go, blaming Mike Harris. He's been out of office for over 20 years. Why not go back to Confederation and blame John A. Macdonald? I'm sure you can find him at fault for something.

      Successive provincial gov'ts could easely have reversed the funding download, BUT THEY DIDN'T. Why not blame them?

      Miller, Mihevc et al were involved in ordering overpriced subway cars, the st. clair streetcar disaster, overpaying unions and forcing the city to pay union wages even if non-union groups were hired.

      The list of incompetence goes on and on and on, yet you choose Mike Harris who hasn't been involved for over 20 years.

      Interesting!

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