City & Provincial Officials Discussed Uploading TTC: Report
Posted January 25, 2011 8:37 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A published report suggests Mayor Rob Ford is considering passing a political football to the province.
The Globe and Mail reports the idea of giving Metrolinx either partial or complete control of the TTC has been tossed around in meetings between Ford’s senior staff and provincial officials. The mayor won’t comment on the issue.
On Tuesday Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty told the Toronto Star he’s not considering such a move. Metrolinx President Bruce McCuaig said the idea isn’t in play.
Uploading transit responsibilities to the province could alleviate several problems on the municipal level. The TTC is a big budgeting headache, as evidenced this year with the previously proposed fare hike and the bus route reductions currently on the table, and other issues provide a never-ending source of voter anger.
Giving Metrolinx, the regional transit authority established by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty’s government, control over Toronto’s subways, or the city’s entire transit system, could make it easier for the province to fund TTC projects, the Globe reports, because McGuinty could spread funding out over a period of time as opposed to cutting a cheque for a lump sum up front.
If voters keep McGuinty in office, the Globe reports he would be willing to wade into the complex transit negotiations with Toronto.
Ford has taken a much different approach to public transit issues as compared to his predecessor David Miller. Ford immediately scrapped the light-rail Transit City plan and will focus on subway expansion instead.
As the city continues its budget negotiations, public meetings are being held to discuss proposed reductions to 48 bus routes across the city as officials try to trim $8 million.
