High Gas Leading More To Take TTC
Posted June 12, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
If it’s not the stop and go on the Don Valley ‘Parking Lot’, it’s the increasingly high price at the pumps.
Record oil prices have left consumers scrambling to plug the holes in their pocket books, and it’s left many commuters thinking TTC no longer stands for “take the car.”
According to an informal CityNews poll, many of you are trading your keys for tokens. And though you may have beaten gridlock on the Gardiner, you’re still in for a packed ride on the Red Rocket.
Commuter Daniela Dincov has noticed her subway trek has become more crowded than usual, “especially between 4pm and 6pm,” she claims.
Reporter Pam Seatle asked 120 riders who own cars if high gas prices are the reason they’re taking the Better Way – and 31 per cent of said yes.
Another 7.5 per cent admitted they never took transit before the price of gas skyrocketed.
The TTC agrees that ridership is up, but says the number is closer to 1.5 per cent growth over last year.
When asked if the TTC could handle a 10 per cent increase, chair Adam Giambrone was doubtful.
“We’ve never had something like that overnight, so no,” he said.
And the numbers could climb in other transit regions as well.”You’re already seeing much greater ridership in York Region and Durham,” outlines Dan Hammond of Transport 2000.
“Even in Oakville, based on previous trends, a 25 or 30 per cent increase in ridership in outlying areas would not be unexpected.”
Meaning those of you who wanted to escape the bumper to bumper life may keep finding yourself cheek by jowl with other riders.
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