The real problem is that this pilot project is a half-baked idea. Even people who live within walking distance of Danforth GO aren't switching, because the time savings isn't enough to justify another $60 a month and having to adhere to the irregular GO schedule. If Metrolinx is serious, they need to include all Scarborough stops and offer more frequent, consistent service.
If Metrolinx was serious, they would set-up a co-fare agreement like every other GTHA transit agency. The TTC-GO fare sticker is a bit backwards. Other co-fares in the GTHA will give you a discount on municipal transit, not GO. This design is supposed to give you an incentive to take municipal transit as a complement to GO, not a substitute.
From the numbers I calculated, it didn't look like the TTC-GO sticker was completely out of line with the discounts available elsewhere in the GTHA. If it was cheaper (and therefore more people used it), then we would be talking about TTC users getting a deal (compared to those who use the GO and other GTHA transit other than the TTC). But the bigger question to me was the impact on space. A good example is Kipling. Someone living near there can choose between 40 mins on the TTC for $130/month (MDP w/ fare increase), or 20 mins for $180/month. If you made the GO-TTC sticker less than $60, they're looking at upwards of $120 in savings, and reaping all of GO's time benefit. I'm willing to bet some people will undoubtedly shell out for that. While that will provide relief on Line 2 and any major connection points downstream (+ vice-versa) it’s extra pressure on the GO.
I remember when I used to take the train back in 2012, it was always packed. I sucked it up because it was a nice 20 min ride with no stops. Now there are more trains, GO says every new rush hour train fills to capacity 6 months after being added to service. Now we face the question of how extra Torontonians on the GO impacts the space and comfort of 905/Greater Horseshoe commuters, who pay as much or more for their GO fare alone.
We could add more GO trains running within the City of Toronto, but this will be an operational and infrastructure building challenge. But why would we be wasting money on this run-around solution instead of building more TTC rapid transit now? If the province, the city and Metrolinx want to solve Toronto congestion, they are ignoring the solution right in front of them: implement the original Metrolinx Investment Strategy, raise $2 billion annually, and start building The Big Move. That includes a subway extension to Richmond Hill; the Relief Line; automatic train control; LRTs on Finch, Jane, Don Mills, Steeles, along the Western Waterfront and East Bayfront, in Scarborough/Malvern; and keep everything in good repair.
This TTC-GO sticker is just a waste of time and money. Implementing a co-fare would give Torontonians a break, not crowd the GO, and create an incentive for employment centres other than around Union Station.