In response to ongoing security and safety issues on the TTC, the TTC Board not too long ago authorised the “transfer alongside” technique, over the objections from some community-led organizations that the technique was insensitive to those that are homeless or underhoused.
How did we get to a degree the place the transit system grew to become a shelter system?
In the course of the pandemic, the TTC allowed passengers to enter the system with out paying a fare.
In consequence, many weak people took refuge within the subway and streetcars, and the low total ridership made this doable. As ridership elevated, any coexistence which will have existed started to fray.
Subway stations grew to become resting spots for the homeless in the course of the hours that shelters had been closed, and the TTC continued to exempt sure riders from paying their fare.
Violent incidents on the system went from being a random occasion to reaching document numbers. In 2022, there have been 1,068 incidents, which had been double the variety of the earlier 12 months and solely mirrored what was reported.
There is no such thing as a query that habit, psychological well being and homelessness are points dealing with our metropolis, and the cracks within the authorities packages which might be meant to handle these points are being totally uncovered. That stated, it’s completely the flawed strategy to ask the TTC to step in and try to handle social challenges that no transit system was designed to unravel.
The transfer alongside technique is complete and entails utilizing the help of social providers. The contentious a part of the brand new technique, for some, is the emphasis on fare enforcement and shifting the homeless to Union Station the place people can entry the help of social providers. It’s fully unclear how a method that ensures everybody pays their fare and that connects the weak to the providers they want is insensitive.
The TTC was by no means designed to be a shelter system and shouldn’t be handled as such. The TTC is a transportation system that depends closely on the farebox to be financially viable. When ridership is down, income is down and the monetary sustainability of the system turns into jeopardized.
When contemplating the funds for this 12 months, the TTC assumed that commuters would return to the workplace three days per week. Sadly for the TTC, commuters are making totally different selections. Those that work within the downtown core are returning to the workplace on common solely two days per week, making Toronto one of many worst main cities for returning to the workplace. Employers affirm that a big a part of the sluggish return is due to the transportation challenges: it’s too irritating to drive, and other people don’t wish to take transit.
Many commuters, together with myself, have been witness to unsettling incidents on the TTC system, together with drug use, risky behaviours and homelessness.
If given a alternative, many will make a rational option to keep away from a scenario which will result in an incident.
The TTC understands that confidence within the system have to be rebuilt and is taking the precise strategy. It’s removed from insensitive; it’s a accountable strategy to making sure a sustainable transit system.