Jarrek
Active Member
Cuts, fare hikes menace TTC
TORY ZIMMERMAN / TORONTO STAR
The Red Rocket holds a special place in the hearts of many a Torontonian.
TTC told it has to chop $30 million from its budget for this year and another $100 million next year, Adam Giambrone says
Jul 19, 2007 03:10 PM
jim byers
city hall bureau chief
The Sheppard subway could be mothballed and Toronto Transit Commission riders hit with a 25-cent fare increase because of budget cuts at city hall, TTC chair Adam Giambrone said today.
"It's a dark day," Giambrone told the Star in a telephone interview. "But we have no choice. I can't print money."
Giambrone was briefed on the city's budget crisis today by city manager Shirley Hoy and said the TTC has to chop $30 million from its budget for this year and another $100 million next year. He's called an emergency commission meeting for 1 p.m. Friday to talk about how to cope, but he said he's calling for a number of critical moves that he admits will cause tremendous anger amongst transit users.
The Sheppard subway could be closed entirely by the end of this year or the beginning of next year, Giambrone said.
He also said the TTC likely will have to chop 21 surface routes, including the 26 Dupont, 67 Pharmacy and 120 Calvington routes. That will save one million dollars this year and $10 million next year, he said.
The commission had hoped to spend millions to improve service and ease overcrowding on the Yonge Street subway line, but that no longer will be possible.
City council on Monday voted to defer consideration of new taxes that would raise $356 million for the cash-strapped municipality next year. Mayor David Miller the next day said that means immediate moves are needed to contain costs. He warned some cuts might hurt, but there was no indication the damage would be so severe.
Giambrone said the TTC cuts aren't a public relations measure aimed at trying to get council to change its mind or convince the province to help the city.
"I can only provide service as to our budget," he said. "I can't have employees work for free." Giambrone said he warned councillors on Monday that major changes might be needed if new tax money wasn't forthcoming.
"There will be a lot of pain," he said. "This affects each and every Torontonian."
TORY ZIMMERMAN / TORONTO STAR
The Red Rocket holds a special place in the hearts of many a Torontonian.
TTC told it has to chop $30 million from its budget for this year and another $100 million next year, Adam Giambrone says
Jul 19, 2007 03:10 PM
jim byers
city hall bureau chief
The Sheppard subway could be mothballed and Toronto Transit Commission riders hit with a 25-cent fare increase because of budget cuts at city hall, TTC chair Adam Giambrone said today.
"It's a dark day," Giambrone told the Star in a telephone interview. "But we have no choice. I can't print money."
Giambrone was briefed on the city's budget crisis today by city manager Shirley Hoy and said the TTC has to chop $30 million from its budget for this year and another $100 million next year. He's called an emergency commission meeting for 1 p.m. Friday to talk about how to cope, but he said he's calling for a number of critical moves that he admits will cause tremendous anger amongst transit users.
The Sheppard subway could be closed entirely by the end of this year or the beginning of next year, Giambrone said.
He also said the TTC likely will have to chop 21 surface routes, including the 26 Dupont, 67 Pharmacy and 120 Calvington routes. That will save one million dollars this year and $10 million next year, he said.
The commission had hoped to spend millions to improve service and ease overcrowding on the Yonge Street subway line, but that no longer will be possible.
City council on Monday voted to defer consideration of new taxes that would raise $356 million for the cash-strapped municipality next year. Mayor David Miller the next day said that means immediate moves are needed to contain costs. He warned some cuts might hurt, but there was no indication the damage would be so severe.
Giambrone said the TTC cuts aren't a public relations measure aimed at trying to get council to change its mind or convince the province to help the city.
"I can only provide service as to our budget," he said. "I can't have employees work for free." Giambrone said he warned councillors on Monday that major changes might be needed if new tax money wasn't forthcoming.
"There will be a lot of pain," he said. "This affects each and every Torontonian."