Now that the increased subsidization of TTC/Metrolinx trips has been cancelled we should revisit true fare integration. Assuming
1. There is zero additional subsidy by each level of gov't
2. Ontario forces it upon every municipality
3. Subway is uploaded (and again no new money to transit...if Toronto has lowered costs than Ontario gives Toronto less money elsewhere)
What does everyone see as the ideal fare structure? Again no wild spending but a plan that could be sold to the PC's.
My idea...(it assumes tap on, tap off...if not you are charges highest fare)
1. Fixed flat amount that covers up to 1 transfer
2. Fee for all GO Train parking lots
3. Fixed fee for transit without dedicated ROW (first 5 km only) -- to discourage hop on, hop off which slows down service
4. Per km fee for all dedicated ROW travel (and all rides >5 km). Add'l premium for premium services if they are at capacity (UPX)
5. Rush hour premium (7:30-9, 4-6 departures)
6. Airport surchage
Then you have to look at the average TTC user and GO Train user (the vast majority of people). They should remain paying the same fare. There will be winners and losers but on average it should net out.
GO Train (Assume Pickering to Union)
Previous - $8.60
Proposed - $8.50
1. Fixed = $1
2. Parking = $3
3. n/a
4. Per km = 34 km x $0.10 = 3.40
5 Rush hour on per km $3.40 x 33% = 1.10
6. n/a
TTC (Eglinton & Keele to Union ... pre-Crosstown)
Previous= $3
Proposed = $2.90
1. Fixed $1
2. n/a
3. no dedicated ROW = $1
4. Per km = 7km x $0.10 = $0.70
5 Rush hour on per km $0.70 x 33% = 0.20