Fare-free TTC
My disclaimer: My ducks are definitely not in a row. If I waited until I knew something about this topic before writing, this blog would likely never materialize. Besides, I think it would be much more fun to take this journey together into the unknown. Plunge, as it were, into the political abyss. You can laugh with me as I trip over the inevitable red tape. I’m just your average Jane…and up until now a politically apathetic one at that. I have the heart of an activist but the energy level of a slug most days juggling my parental responsibilities and university education. My heart is in the right place most of the time and I have no hidden agenda.
So picture this; a fare-free TTC. There may be groups already working on this idea. If there are I don’t know about them yet and this is part of my purpose here. Hopefully I will find you if you’re out there. Maybe you will find me. I will blog when I have new developments to share and I hope to find supporters both new and established for this cause. Who wouldn’t be onside free public transport? I expect that anti-poverty groups, environmental groups, cycling groups, student groups, and TTC drivers who would no longer have to collect fares would all be in support.
So hang on before you go and get your knickers in a knot. While I am relatively naive about this topic I am not completely daft. I hear you gearing up with the “Who’s going to pay for it??!!” question. A very good friend of mine who is accomplished and experienced suggested this idea originally over some munchies and a cosmo. I thank her for lighting my creative fire. She commented that it must cost the TTC a huge amount to collect fares. What if this was eliminated? There is the physical aspect of tickets, tokens, turnstiles, gates etc. And, there is the payroll associated with the collection of fares.
If public transport were free, more people would ride. I know I would and if I would I’m sure others would as well. If more people took transit there would be fewer cars on the road. Fewer cars would mean less gridlock and less need to build new roads or expand existing ones; an expensive proposition.
I will do some research, make some calls, pull in some favours, meet some people and write about the findings. Bear with me as I fly by the seat of my pants.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead.
I’m interested to see how your experiment turns out. I hope you bring something wonderful to pass!
Hey Frac, you are my first blog comment ever. Thank you for making it encouraging. Cheers.
This is a very interesting way to generate discussion on a good topic! I am a big fan of blogging as a way to verbalize my thoughts and not knowing who might be reading just makes it that much more interesting. I congratulate you on this project! We’ve been blogging for nearly four years now, and I love it. Although I’ve made my site private (heck, it’s a small town), I sometimes wish it was open to the public again to see what comments and thoughts would come through. Talk soon! ness
You are indeed a problogger (sounds like a German swear word). Thanks for the comment, I appreciate you stopping by. Positive comments are very motivational. Come back again!