A bold proposal to refund TTC riders for significant delays is facing resistance, sparking a heated debate within Toronto City Council. Councillor Brad Bradford championed a system mirroring successful models in global cities like London and Singapore, promising financial recourse for delays exceeding 15 minutes.
Bradford’s motion, however, was significantly altered by Councillor Alejandra Bravo, a TTC board member. Instead of immediate action, the revised motion directs the TTC Board to simply “evaluate and consider” the feasibility of such a program, with a report due in the spring – a move Bradford views with deep skepticism.
Bradford expressed frustration, accusing the mayor and her allies of accepting a perpetually flawed system. He believes a concrete step towards improvement was rejected, effectively relegating the idea to a bureaucratic review with an uncertain future.
The debate unfolded against a backdrop of current transit woes, specifically the slow initial performance of the newly opened Finch LRT line. Bradford highlighted the sheer frequency of disruptions, citing nearly 25,000 instances of delays lasting 15 minutes or longer this year alone.
Bravo defends the amended motion, emphasizing the need for thorough information before implementation. She frames the evaluation as crucial for aligning accountability with broader ridership growth strategies and ensuring optimal investment of resources.
A significant point of contention revolves around cost. TTC staff estimated that implementing the necessary infrastructure, potentially requiring a Presto system overhaul, could reach $80-90 million. Bradford disputes this figure as an unsubstantiated estimate, arguing for phased implementation and alternative solutions.
Bradford suggests a pilot program focused on the subway or a self-reporting system, similar to those used by Metrolinx and GO Transit, could minimize initial costs. He accuses the mayor’s office of prioritizing obstacles over solutions, focusing on challenges rather than exploring viable pathways forward.
Despite acknowledging logistical hurdles like transaction fees, Bradford remains convinced that a delay-refund system is achievable through negotiation and a commitment to improving service standards. The core issue, he argues, is holding the TTC accountable and raising expectations for Toronto’s public transit system.
