Author: nanderson

Fund the TTC, Don’t Break it! Transit Advocates Fight to Keep TTC in Toronto Hands

by nanderson

TTCriders, a transit advocacy group, led a day of action on Thursday, November 29 against Premier Doug Ford’s scheme to break apart the TTC through his so-called subway “upload.” ATU Local 113 members joined the rallies alongside dozens of concerned residents at Kipling, Donlands and Queen’s Park stations to spread the message directly to other riders. The message is clear — a rushed subway upload won’t fix the lack of public transit funding. Breaking apart the TTC means losing Toronto’s integrated system and local democratic control. For riders, this troubling scheme will lead to reduced service and higher fares – all while paving the way for privatization.

Read more about the successful day of action here and sign the petition to keep transit public!

Here are some photos of our sisters and brothers, alongside concerned residents, in action. Thanks for coming out!

Celebrate the Holidays with TTC LEGO

by nanderson

Public transit in the winter presents extra challenges. Snowy boots and dangling mittens can be uncomfortable – and on top of overcrowded buses, streetcars and subways – it can downright leave you feeling like the grinch.

That’s why Aaron Chapman is bringing his TTC LEGO to life in a whimsical winter scene on the Line 1 platform at Bloor Station. His “Toronto Rocket Subway Train” model circles a snowcapped mountain range filled with snowmen, Christmas trees and log cabins – warming the hearts of busy commuters.

ATU Local 113 members are encouraged to see the display, then vote to ensure LEGO IDEAS considers global distribution of the “Toronto Rocket Subway Train” model.

WHERE: Window on the Line 1 platform at Bloor station.

WHEN: the entirety of December.

More details on the “Toronto Rocket Subway Train” model below. It includes:

  • Two TTC operators, two TTC track workers, four passengers and LEGO RC powered;
  • Roofs and Control cabs are removable and complete with detailed operating controls;
  • Train Signal tree with rotating trip arm, train mounted trip switch and functional third rail;
  • And sliding passenger doors, overhead handles and subway advertisements.

Ontario PC Government Reveals its Privatization Agenda

by nanderson

It’s never been clearer: the Ontario government has a privatization agenda and it has set its sights on the TTC.

Last week at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation Jeff Yurek addressed the Economic Club of Canada on “enhancing transit in the province.” It cost almost $100 per person to hear the “government for the people” issue a directive to Metrolinx to apply “market-driven approaches” to all new and existing transit projects – including leveraging “third-party investment” through “new forms of partnerships.”

Later in the week, and days before the report is due to cabinet, the government finally released the Terms of Reference for their “Special Advisor” on the so-called TTC Subway upload. The first objective: to secure provincial ownership of the TTC subway network and other strategic transit/transportation assets in Toronto. The Minister has refused to clarify if he’ll try to takeover more of Toronto’s public transit system.

While the Minister says he is looking for “market driven approaches,” in reality, the province’s scheme will do nothing more than harm public transit by shattering Toronto’s integrated system, taking away local democratic control and paving the way for higher fares and privatized service, similar to what we see with Metrolinx and GO Transit. Premier Ford, hands off our subways! The TTC belongs to Toronto.

The only way to protect Toronto’s public transit is to keep it public – and increase funding – so it can be improved and expanded for riders. Torontonians concerned about their public transit system are encouraged to sign and share the petition to keep transit public.

Read: Ford’s TTC meddling is a step too far

by nanderson

Read and share Christopher Hume’s column in the Toronto Star which explains how Premier Doug Ford’s plan to meddle with Toronto’s subway is a step backwards for transit in the city.

It’s one thing for the premier of Ontario to ignore the mayor of Toronto, quite another for him to ignore the City of Toronto. Doug Ford has managed both and in the process, taken relations between the two to new lows.

This bodes well for neither. Sooner or later, Ford’s shabby treatment of Toronto will come back to bite him where it hurts. In the meantime, his attack on civic governance and planned plundering of municipal assets has already weakened the city.

Not that the premier cares. Despite an unprecedented record of recklessness, Ford’s delusional regime never tires of patting itself on its collective back and giving itself standing ovations whenever one of its members opens his or her mouth. But by treating Toronto as an extension of the premier’s office, the Conservatives are meddling with the economic engine that keeps Ontario and Canada afloat. The city, which accounts for 20 per cent of the country’s GDP, is too important to be left to the whims of Ford’s hordes.

Yet because neither Canada’s inadequate constitution nor the 1849 Baldwin Act before it recognize cities, they exist in a legal limbo as “creatures of the province.” This rather embarrassing oversight usually goes unnoticed. But with Ford in control, it has become a major problem. Not that previous provincial governments brought much more enlightenment to the discussion; Ford’s predecessor, Kathleen Wynne, flatly refused Mayor John Tory’s request to toll the Don Valley Parkway and Gardiner Expressway on the grounds that would hurt Liberal popularity in the 905. But with the exception of Mike Harris, Ontario premier between 1995 and 2002, no provincial chief magistrate has employed the power of primacy to intervene into the governance of Toronto for purely political purposes.

Regardless, many Ontarians view Ford’s assault on Toronto with amusement. Hogtown, the city they love to hate, deserves everything it gets. For their part, Torontonians are too busy with life at the centre of the universe to pay much attention to what the hinterland thinks.

But when Ford starts plotting the takeover of the city’s subway system, Torontonians get twitchy. It’s bad enough he cut council nearly in half and presided over the sale of the a key waterfront landmark, the Hearn Generating Station, to deep-pocketed buddies. But to mess with the subway is a step too far. Adding insult to injury, Ford’s avowed intention is to expand the metro into York, Peel and Durham regions, low-density suburbs that are not only the perceived heartland of Ford Nation but places where subways would be ruinously expensive.

Though he tried to justify his plan by explaining that provincial accounting methods would make subway expansion seem less expensive, that’s nonsense. And his assertion that the province would build transit more efficiently than the city is laughable. Though Ford’s brother Rob and John Tory have set Toronto transit back decades, Queen’s Park is every bit as inept.

Then there’s the question, a big one, of what it means to sell a subway. What’s a subway worth? How’s it done? Who decides? Toronto’s is a fully integrated transit system. Already hobbled by the underused Sheppard Line and the York Spadina extension, it has no need for more lines to nowhere. Experts agree the priority is the Downtown Relief Line, still a generation away from realization. Some argue the problem is its name. The Scarborough Relief Line sounds so much better.

This week Ontario transportation minister, Jeff Yurek, insisted the DRL is a priority, as are the Scarborough extension and the new suburban lines. But unlike talk, subways aren’t cheap; unsurprisingly, Yurek said nothing about where the money will come from. Though the DRL would serve the greatest number of people, transit reality here means ridership hardly counts.

The bigger concern is how two unequal and antagonistic jurisdictions so far apart on so many issues could co-administer an integrated transit system. And those councillors who feel the only question is whether the price is right miss the point. No wonder Torontonians are preparing for a fight. Last week, an angry crowd gathered at the Church of the Holy Trinity to plot strategy and let the premier know the system must remain under civic control.

Ford may have retreated from some decisions — eliminating Ontario’s French watchdog and allowing Greenbelt development. But Toronto’s subway is another matter; for a former city councillor who never got the respect he deserves, this one’s personal.

A Rushed Subway Upload Won’t Fix the TTC’s Funding Problem

by nanderson

Barely three months since the Ford Government announced plans to upload the TTC Subway, the Minister of Transportation announced today that he is ready to break up the TTC by early 2019. He’ll do that without consulting the over 10,000 hardworking public transit workers who maintain and operate the service daily – and it will ultimately cost the riders the most. At Doug Ford’s hand, Toronto is set to lose its integrated system and local democratic controls in way for reduced service and higher fares while paving the way for privatized transit. It’s not just wrong, it’s a rush job that will leave Torontonians waiting at the curb. The so-called subway upload is nothing more than another attack by Doug Ford on Toronto.

ATU Local 113 and ATU Canada encourage Torontonians to save their public transit system by signing the petition: https://wemovetoronto.ca/petition/

Why Uploading Toronto’s Subway is a Bad Idea

by nanderson

To improve the TTC, the Government should fund it properly – not break it apart. A divided system raises issues of accountability and integration while taking the first step in a slippery slope towards privatization, delays and fare hikes. ATU Local 113 calls on Torontonians to stand together to protect the public transit system we all rely on – and pay for — by signing the petition. You can also read an in-depth explainer on why uploading Toronto’s subway is a bad idea below.

We own it

The people of Toronto pay for the subway through property taxes and fares. We will be giving up this valuable asset in return for a sum that falls far short of what is needed to keep the system in good repair.

Premier Ford has pledged $5 billion in new money for subways in Toronto. But according to transit experts, that will barely cover the cost of maintaining the subway. What happens if the provincial government decides not to invest the money needed to keep the subway running safely and efficiently? Or what if there is a disagreement between the city and the province over what expenditure is required?

A system in chaos

The TTC is currently a deeply integrated system. Buses connect with streetcars and subways; station staff serve passengers of all forms of transit; TTC maintenance and operations buildings are shared with subway facilities; materials for all kinds of vehicles are procured by the same TTC department; building trades do construction, plumbing and electrical work for all services. Transit Control has a direct line to emergency services for all TTC facilities.

If the subway handed over to Metrolinx, these services will no longer be under one authority. Transit experts predict that detaching one part of the system will deliver administrative chaos, political conflict and planning gridlock for years to come.

Higher fares

The TTC is currently a deeply integrated system. Buses connect with streetcars and subways; station staff serve passengers of all forms of transit; TTC maintenance and operations buildings are shared with subway facilities; materials for all kinds of vehicles are procured by the same TTC department; building trades do construction, plumbing and electrical work for all services. Transit Control has a direct line to emergency services for all TTC facilities.

According to a recent report, the TTC relies on the farebox more than any other city in North America, with 70% of revenue coming from fares.

Some portions of the subway are very profitable, and their surpluses help subsidize the rest of the system. If the TTC lost revenue from the subway, fares on buses and streetcars would have to rise to compensate.

No say

Uploading the subway will take transit planning out of the hands of city planners and council who are accountable to the people of Toronto.

If the upload goes ahead, the subway would be transferred to Metrolinx, the province’s transportation agency. Unlike Toronto City Council, Metrolinx is unaccountable to the public. Metrolinx board meetings are closed to the public and there are no in-person deputations allowed, including by politicians or city councillors. Metrolinx board members are recruited from the private sector and are appointed, not elected. If Metrolinx becomes responsible for the subway, who will citizens advocate or complain to about service levels, cleanliness, or fares?

Opens the door to privatization

Uploading is the first step towards selling off the system to the private sector.

Monte McNaughton, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure says his government is committed to using the private sector to deliver transportation infrastructure. But privatization has failed in many other jurisdictions. Private companies have no incentive to keep fares reasonable or to provide services that are unprofitable. They cut corners on maintenance to save money for shareholders. Financial problems can cause them to raise prices on a project, go bankrupt or walk away, leaving the public sector to pick up the pieces.

Loss of good jobs in Ontario

Currently, TTC subway workers are covered by a collective agreement that provides decent wages, job security, pensions and health and safety protection. These jobs contribute to the economic well-being of workers’ families and their communities. The proposal to upload the subway leaves the future of thousands of transit workers in the GTA uncertain.

Read: Economic Statement Silent on Promised Transit Funding

by nanderson

Following the Ontario Government’s 2018 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, read TTCriders’ response.

“Millions of transit riders across Ontario are counting on Premier Ford to deliver better transit starting in 2019,” said TTCriders Executive Director Shelagh Pizey-Allen. “Premier Ford must increase transit funding to cities and towns so transit riders see better, more affordable commutes.”

More than 100 municipalities expect increased transit funding in 2019 from the provincial government, with the TTC set to receive approximately $170 million in new funding per year, beginning with $40 million in 2019. The provincial contribution to the TTC is allocated to operating and capital costs, including accessibility upgrades.

“Transit cuts have left York students stranded. The province needs to step up and increase funding so we can get to class without paying double or triple fares,” said Sébastien Lalonde, executive member of the York Federation of Students. More than 15,000 people have signed a YFS petition (www.YURide.ca) opposing Metrolinx’s cancellation of GO bus service and YRT’s departure from York University’’s Keele campus.

The Economic Statement did not mention the $3 GO and Union Pearson Express fares proposed in the 2018 provincial budget, a key component of Mayor John Tory’s SmartTrack plan. The 2018 budget proposed $3 GO fares within Toronto or for trips under 10 kilometres.

The City of Toronto subsidizes the TTC at a rate of $1.07 per rider, which represents one of the lowest per-rider subsidies in North America. The TTC approved a Ridership Growth Strategy and an expanded Express Bus Network Plan, but both plans lack full funding. TTC ridership has stagnated for the last four years. The TTC intends to raise fares in 2019.

The provincial government reaffirmed its plan to take the TTC’s heavy rail assets. “The TTC belongs to us. Transit riders and taxpayers paid for the subway and we’re not about to let Doug Ford steal away the TTC’s most valuable asset,” said TTCriders member Vincent Puhakka. “We don’t want a two-tiered transit system where low income riders are stuck taking slow, overcrowded buses, while subway and rapid transit fares go through the roof.”

 

Hands off our Subways!

by nanderson

Following the 2018 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, ATU Local 113 renews calls for all Torontonians to oppose Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s plan to break apart the TTC through its so-called subway upload. In reality, the province’s scheme will do nothing more than harm the TTC by shattering our integrated system, taking away local democratic control and paving the way for higher fares and privatized service, similar to what we see with Metrolinx and GO Transit. Premier Ford, hands off our subways! The TTC belongs to Toronto.

Sign the petition — then share it with your friends and family: https://wemovetoronto.ca/petition/

Take the White Ribbon Pledge to End Violence Against Women and Girls

by nanderson

ATU Local 113, in collaboration with the Women’s Committee, encourages its brothers to join the growing movement of men who wear white ribbons in recognition of their pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls.

The White Ribbon Campaign began in Toronto in 1991 following the senseless killing of 14 female students in Montreal two years prior. Today, the White Ribbon Campaign has expanded to over 60 countries and is a symbol of men’s opposition to male violence against women.

ATU Local 113 members can show their support by taking the White Ribbon pledge, which inspires positive change for the women and girls we respect in our lives.

The pledge is a commitment to:

  1. Never commit, condone or stay silent about violence against women
  2. Show that you really mean it by promising to:
  • Talk to a younger man about consent
  • Share feminist calls to action and news on social media
  • Support women’s organizations and shelters that provide services to survivors of violence
  • Ask peers to not use sexist or violent language when referring to women
  • Create safe and supportive spaces for the women by practicing active listening
  • Encourage and support gender equality initiatives at work
  • Talk to men about why gender equality is important and how they can play an active role
  • Make a plan of action

https://www.whiteribbon.ca/pledge.html

Along with the pledge, the campaign encourages men and boys to wear a white ribbon from November 25, the International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women, until Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on December 6.

Share the pledge on social media, by email and through talking with your friends, family and ATU Local 113 brothers.

Vote Now to Make TTC LEGO a Reality

by nanderson

When ATU Local 113 member Aaron Chapman, a lifelong LEGO fanatic, became a TTC Subway Line 1 train operator, he immediately noticed something was missing from his extensive collection: the TTC. Soon after, he built a LEGO replica of a subway train and embarked to take his idea to the masses though consideration by LEGO Ideas–a program that gives homemade creations global distribution.

Aaron needs over 10,000 signatures for LEGO Ideas to consider global distribution of the “Toronto Rocket Subway Train” model. ATU Local 113 members can help make this replica a reality by voting online here:

www.TOtrain.ca

Aaron’s “Toronto Rocket Subway Train” (see below) aims to bring about more understanding of public transportation by providing new perspectives of the system. From recognizable designs, like blue accessible seating, to small hidden details, like the controls in the driver’s cab, the “Toronto Rocket Subway Train” allows passengers to see all the intricacies that make transit work.

Highlights of the model include:

  • 2 TTC operators, 2 TTC track workers and 4 passengers;
  • Roofs and Control cabs are removable and complete with detailed operating controls;
  • Train Signal tree with rotating trip arm, train mounted trip switch and functional 3rd rail;
  • And sliding passenger doors, overhead handles and subway advertisements.

Once you’ve voted, share it with your friends, family, neighbours and fellow transit advocates to sign too and make TTC LEGO a reality to bring more understanding of the public transit system.