Ideas for funding the TTC?

[Darwinkgo]

I believe buses that aren't wheel chair accessible don't qualify for cost sharing with other levels of government. High floors also slow down boardings which raise operating costs, so why would you?

With high floor you get a bit more capacity but if it really matters Toronto should buy some articulated buses and join the 1990s (and start targeting routes to change the street side infrastructure over). Would not even cost that much if you converted a hybrid order to a articulated standard bus.

 

[nfitz]

Does anyone even manufacture 100% high-flow transit buses anymore?

The problem with the TTC buses is that they are not 100% low-floor, and the seat layout is awful.

I'm not sure how one can say one hasn't seen a major change in usage ... I've seen enough wheelchairs getting on city buses; not really in rush-hour, but I've seen a lot just outside of rush hour.

 

[APTA-2048]

Does anyone even manufacture 100% high-flow transit buses anymore?

The problem with the TTC buses is that they are not 100% low-floor, and the seat layout is awful.

I'm not sure how one can say one hasn't seen a major change in usage ... I've seen enough wheelchairs getting on city buses; not really in rush-hour, but I've seen a lot just outside of rush hour.

Very few manufacturers offer high floor buses, and none offer a 12 metre heavy duty transit bus for the Canadian market anymore.

100% low floor may not be such a good thing as seen when the TTC had the Orion VI. It had an even lower capacity than the VII because all the seats were on the floor and none over the wheels.

 

[CodeMonkey]

Does anyone even manufacture 100% high-flow transit buses anymore?

No, Handicap laws require newer buses to be low-floor for wheelchair and other disabilities that have problem walking up narrow stairs. Only buses manufacture before the law came into effect can still operate until they cease operation.

 

[nfitz]

100% low floor may not be such a good thing as seen when the TTC had the Orion VI. It had an even lower capacity than the VII because all the seats were on the floor and none over the wheels.

Though they use low-floor vehicles all over the planet, and few are Orions; there must be a better designed floor-plan somewhere; I've never seen anything so atrocious. Any reason not to simply extend the buses by another metre or two to get the same number of seats without making the interior space unusuable?

 

[urbandreamer]

Instead of funding the ttc, why not cut all funding?

Yep, I mean just cancel the whole damn thing!

 

[APTA-2048]

Though they use low-floor vehicles all over the planet, and few are Orions; there must be a better designed floor-plan somewhere; I've never seen anything so atrocious. Any reason not to simply extend the buses by another metre or two to get the same number of seats without making the interior space unusuable?

You're right. For example, Nova Bus had an option for a full low floor, and it seated the same amount as the partial low floor option. They had seats on raised platforms at the rear.

 

[W. K. Lis]

The province (and the federal) governments should implement a green tax to help fund transit and other green projects. Start with an 5¢ a litre urban gasoline green tax, and increase each year by 1¢ until gasoline reaches European prices (if needed). Could help with the deficit as well.

It could be lower number for the rural areas.

 

[syn]

Things to consider:

1) Zone Fares
2) Dedicated Municipal Transit Tax (or ones on the provincial and federal level)

 

[kEiThZ]

^ A portion of the property tax already goes to funding the TTC. What do you propose for a municipal transit tax?

And if such a tax is region wide that would create issues too since the rest of the region would expect TTC-like service.

 

[syn]

^Well, if it was regional I'd expect the funds to be allocated to other transit agencies too.

More re-investment from the Federal and Provincial governments is necessary, I just don't see it happening.

People have floated the casino idea around for years...that's something I wouldn't mind seeing, with funds earned being allocated to transit.

 

[kEiThZ]

I don't think the casino idea will ever fly. The casinos outside TO are huge draws for tourists. There is no way the province would allow a casino in TO that could cripple tourism in other parts of Ontario.

 

[syn]

I don't think the casino idea will ever fly. The casinos outside TO are huge draws for tourists. There is no way the province would allow a casino in TO that could cripple tourism in other parts of Ontario.

Doesn't Toronto have some leeway in that regard thanks to the Toronto Act? I'd think it could be possible to open up a casino here without adversely affecting the others located around the province.

 

[Paleo]

^ A portion of the property tax already goes to funding the TTC. What do you propose for a municipal transit tax?

And if such a tax is region wide that would create issues too since the rest of the region would expect TTC-like service.

It'd be fine if each dollar collected stayed in the municipality in which it was collected. It would then become obvious that transit in sprawling areas costs more to operate per passenger and it might actually spur change.

 

[Ryan]

Doesn't Toronto have some leeway in that regard thanks to the Toronto Act? I'd think it could be possible to open up a casino here without adversely affecting the others located around the province.

I remember on CP24 last week Milller said something like "there are Casinos in Rama and Niagara and they work just fine"... Maybe ask Glen Miller/George Smitherman.