The Toronto Transit Commission will look at staffing cuts and other efficiencies before it contemplates fare hikes and service cuts, says the city councillor who chairs its board.
“We can’t talk about any service adjustments or fare adjustments until we are confident the organization is running as efficiently as it could be,” Karen Stintz said Tuesday.
However, she conceded, “You only can get so much out of that review.”
On Wednesday, city councillors on the transit commission will consider a preliminary budget that provides a first look at TTC’s financial challenges for 2012.
“There’s a sense the TTC is overstaffed. We need to be able to address that issue. There are issues around absenteeism we know about,” Stinz said.
“We’re trying to figure out how we can do everything on our end to create confidence the organization is operating as effectively as it can.”
That “sense” extends to management and unionized TTC employees, she said.
The TTC’s preliminary budget report calls for hiring 128 people next year, positions transit officials say are needed to maintain service for more riders.
Stintz has been called to a meeting in the mayor’s office Thursday to discuss the TTC’s capital plan, which projects a $1.5 billion shortfall in the period of 2012 to 2022.
“I haven’t had discussions with the mayor’s office and the city manager’s office on this issue. This is a chance for me to sit down and talk about what is our strategy, what are we going to do, what are we going to achieve,” she said.
Among the capital expenses expected to arise in the conversation would be the cost of installing Presto electronic fare card readers across the system. That’s expected to cost up to $200 million more than the $140 million that has already been committed by the province, Ottawa and the city.
Queen’s Park has indicated though that it is willing to help cover the cost of implementing the electronic fare system that will allow transit users across the Toronto area ride the TTC and their local bus or GO train on the same card.
The operating shortfall for next year is being predicted at $85 million, based on growing ridership projections, the same $429 million city subsidy level and the this year’s service levels. That includes a $39 million shortfall on operating and the 10 per cent budget reduction that has been demanded of all city departments, equal to about $46 million for the TTC.
Full Article
Source: Toronto Star
“We can’t talk about any service adjustments or fare adjustments until we are confident the organization is running as efficiently as it could be,” Karen Stintz said Tuesday.
However, she conceded, “You only can get so much out of that review.”
On Wednesday, city councillors on the transit commission will consider a preliminary budget that provides a first look at TTC’s financial challenges for 2012.
“There’s a sense the TTC is overstaffed. We need to be able to address that issue. There are issues around absenteeism we know about,” Stinz said.
“We’re trying to figure out how we can do everything on our end to create confidence the organization is operating as effectively as it can.”
That “sense” extends to management and unionized TTC employees, she said.
The TTC’s preliminary budget report calls for hiring 128 people next year, positions transit officials say are needed to maintain service for more riders.
Stintz has been called to a meeting in the mayor’s office Thursday to discuss the TTC’s capital plan, which projects a $1.5 billion shortfall in the period of 2012 to 2022.
“I haven’t had discussions with the mayor’s office and the city manager’s office on this issue. This is a chance for me to sit down and talk about what is our strategy, what are we going to do, what are we going to achieve,” she said.
Among the capital expenses expected to arise in the conversation would be the cost of installing Presto electronic fare card readers across the system. That’s expected to cost up to $200 million more than the $140 million that has already been committed by the province, Ottawa and the city.
Queen’s Park has indicated though that it is willing to help cover the cost of implementing the electronic fare system that will allow transit users across the Toronto area ride the TTC and their local bus or GO train on the same card.
The operating shortfall for next year is being predicted at $85 million, based on growing ridership projections, the same $429 million city subsidy level and the this year’s service levels. That includes a $39 million shortfall on operating and the 10 per cent budget reduction that has been demanded of all city departments, equal to about $46 million for the TTC.
Full Article
Source: Toronto Star
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