TTC should tax parking spaces to help pay for service, advocacy group says

Instead of cutting TTC service, the City of Toronto should introduce a tax on parking spaces — especially at malls and commercial parking lots to help pay for transit, a Toronto advocacy group says.

The group, TTCRiders, said charging a $1.50 per day per parking spot could raise millions of dollars per day, while critics say the move would deter people from visiting Toronto.

TTCRiders also said that had the city enforced the commercial parking levy years ago, approximately $2.3 billion could have been raised.

---

RELATED: Proposed 2023 TTC budget calls for 10-cent cash fare increase, 50 new special constables

---

Mayor John Tory has publicly said he’s not in favour of the proposed tax as it’s too complex to implement and could harm businesses.

The new budget, a $53-million increase over and above the potential fare hike, comes with a 9 per cent cut to service compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Last week, the TTC announced a 10-cent fare hike, raising single cash fares to $3.35, and reduced services to address a $366 million budget shortfall. Experts say solutions such as hiking fares while reducing service — particularly as living costs rise — is a “Catch-22” that could alienate old and new riders, creating the potential for ongoing financial problems and cuts.

As of November, the TTC’s ridership levels were just under 70 per cent of its pre-pandemic levels.

While announcing the increased fares last week, Mayor Tory said eligibility for the Fair Pass Transit Discount program would expand to 50,000 people. Tory added monthly pass users and seniors would see their fares frozen in 2023.

---

With files from Michael Ranger of CityNews and The Canadian Press