Transit the number 1 issue for Toronto voters, polls find

With less than a month to go before the municipal election, two new polls find that transit appears to be the main issue among voters.

A Forum Research poll shows nearly 70 per cent of those surveyed said they have concerns about public transit in Toronto.

The poll found a third (31 per cent) said not enough subway lines is their biggest concern, while a similar proportion (29 per cent) listed overcrowding as their top worry.

Unreliable service and the cost of public transit also also ranked as issues to voters.

A Mainstreet research poll found that transit has replaced housing affordability as the top issue.

That poll also showing incumbent mayor John Tory with nearly 64 per cent support among decided voters. His main rival, Jennifer Keesmaat, has close to 31 per cent support.

Transit will be the focus of the next mayoral debate, which is taking place Wednesday night at the University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus and is being organized by the transit advocacy group TTC Riders.

Keesmaat will be among those taking part, but Tory is not expected to attend due to a scheduling conflict.

The Forum poll, which was conducted Sept. 20-24, surveyed 944 voters via telephone. The results are considered accurate plus or minus three per cent, 19 times out of 20.

The Mainstreet survey was conducted Sept. 24-25 and interviewed 966 Toronto voters. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.15 percent and is accurate 19 times out of 20.