Comparing the TTC 2018-2022 Ridership Growth Strategy with the TTCriders Alternative Ridership Growth Strategy

ANNEX to Better Transit Now ​

TTCriders produced an “Alternative” Ridership Growth Strategy1 (ARGS) in July 2019 because the TTC’s 2018-2022 Ridership Growth Strategy2 (TTC RGS), adopted January 2018, lacks two significant features: 1) Full costing and corresponding funding requests or commitments; 2) An ambitious long-term vision with a concrete timeline and target milestones beyond 2022.

Table 1 (page 2) compares the projected ridership growth of major recommendations in the TTC RGS and the TTCriders Alternative RGS. More details about the specific measures can be found in Table 2.

Table 2 (pages 3-6) compares the specific strategies of the TTC RGS and the TTCriders Alternative RGS. There is not an accompanying ridership projection for each proposal because some of TTCriders’ projections are unmodelled and because the TTC evaluated the overall ridership growth potential of combined sets of actions over a five year period (calculated as a growth percentage). The TTC completed analysis and ridership impact of only three specific initiatives outlined in its RGS Work Plan 2018: 1) Continue to relieve overcrowding on surface routes (25 million rides positively impacted); 2) Implement two-hour transfers (5 million additional rides); 3) Implement discounted fare for PRESTO customers combining TTC and GO/UP Transit trips (350,000 additional rides).

Read Better Transit Now and the full TTCriders Alternative Ridership Growth Strategy at: ​ ​ http://www.ttcriders.ca/bettertransitnow/. ​

NOTE: The TTC’s 2018-2022 Ridership Growth Strategy has been superseded by the TTC’s 5-Year ​ Service Plan and 10-Year Outlook, which was adopted by the TTC Board on December 12, 2019.3

January 2020

1 http://www.ttcriders.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/TTCriders_BetterTransitNow_LongVersion.pdf ​ 2 https://www.ttc.ca/About_the_TTC/Commission_reports_and_information/Commission_meetings ​ /2018/January_25/Reports/2_Ridership_Growth_Strategy_2018-2022.pdf 3 https://ttc.ca/About_the_TTC/Projects/5_year_plan_and_10_y/index.jsp ​

www.TTCriders.ca | [email protected] | @ttcriders ​ ​ ​ ​ 1 ANNEX to TTCriders Alternative Ridership Growth Strategy (Jan. 2020)

TABLE 1: Comparing Projected Ridership Growth ​ ​

Major Recommendations in Estimated Major Recommendations in Estimated TTC’s 2018 Ridership Growth Ridership TTCriders Alternative Ridership Ridership Strategy Increase Growth Strategy Increase

Suite of measures, including: 5.26 million rides, Service improvements, including: 10.73 million rides ● Increase service availability or 1% increase4 ● 25% increase in service and frequency ● Expand 10-minute network ● Optimize surface service ● Implement full Express Bus ● More inclusive system Network Plan

Suite of measures, including: 10.52 million rides, Affordable fares, including: 8.26 million rides, ● Integrate service with other or 2% increase ● 905-to-TTC 2-hour transfers plus additional modes /providers ● Metropass cost based on 37.5 unmodelled ● Strategic fare product portfolio trips per month and 10% ridership impact ● Explore big data insights reduction to all single fares

Suite of measures, including: 26.32 million rides, Expand rapid-transit, including: 17.5 million rides ● Surface Transit Priority Plan or 5% increase ● Establish consistent criteria for ● Expand capacity (Open Line 5: evaluating higher order transit Eglinton, Line 6: Finch W LRT) ● Eglinton East, Sheppard East, ● Mobility as a Service Jane, Waterfront LRTs

Transit priority measures, including: 12.35 million rides ● All streetcar routes ● 20 busiest bus routes

TOTAL 42.1 million 48.84+ million

4 Based on the projected 2019 annual ridership of 526.3 million.

2 ANNEX to TTCriders Alternative Ridership Growth Strategy (Jan. 2020)

TABLE 2: Comparing Ridership Growth Strategies ​ ​

Specific Recommendations in TTC’s Estimated Specific Recommendations in TTCriders Estimated 2018 Ridership Growth Strategy Ridership Alternative Ridership Growth Strategy Ridership Growth Growth Potential Potential

BUDGET

Direct staff to include consideration of the Implement new revenue tools to meet the funding needs of the RGS 2018-2022 in budget requirements of the TTC Ridership future budgets and financial plans Growth Strategy; Increase the TTC’s operating subsidy from $1.14 per ride (2018) to $2.60 per ride

SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS

Increase surface service availability and 1% growth 25% service increase to relieve 10.73 frequency, and relieve overcrowding component5 overcrowding and improve service, incl.: million ● 10-minute or better service on all additional As part of 2018 Work Plan, relieve 2018 Work routes rides overcrowding on surface routes during: Plan will ● 20-minute or better service on Blue ● 25 peak periods improve 25 Night Network ● 4 off-peak periods where crowding million rides ● Capital funding two more bus storage exceeds 30% of standard facilities, beyond the McNicoll garage ● Purchase 500 new buses and 60 new streetcars, to enable a 25% increase ● Operate routes 502 and 503 at all times of the day and on weekends

Improve customer experience: 1% growth Improve Blue Night Network: Unmodelled ● More Customer Service Agents component ● Restore timed connections wherever increase ● Introduce info screens on new buses possible (2015 BNN ● Expand WiFi to subway tunnels ● Publish schedules for major stops. expansion ● Develop transit education in schools ● Set standards to follow route projected ● Develop marketing plan to increase schedules, (e.g. waiting at major stops 300,000 Presto adoption if running early) trips)

Introduce tap & go credit card fare 2% growth A Fair Presto System: Unmodelled payment capabilities component ● PRESTO tickets widely available increase (minimum of 421 resellers) ● No expiry dates on tickets ● Free PRESTO cards ● Single fare minimum load

Implement express bus services 1% growth Implement all enhancements outlined in Unmodelled (NOTE: this has been partially completed, component the 2018-2021 Express Bus Plan, and: increase ​ ​

5 The TTC evaluated the overall ridership growth potential of combined sets of actions over a five year period. Each recommendation listed contributes to potential ridership growth (1%, 2%, or 5%), but the specific impact of each component was not calculated by the TTC, with three exceptions: the 2018 Work Plan to reduce overcrowding, 2-hour transfers, and the GO-TTC co-fare discount available on PRESTO.

3 ANNEX to TTCriders Alternative Ridership Growth Strategy (Jan. 2020)

but the TTC has not yet implemented its ● Accelerate roll-out of long term bus full Express Bus Network Plan6; Local strategy (2026) without any reduction service has been reduced on some routes in local service with new express service7) ● More service on existing routes (all-day)

Create a Transit Surface Priority Plan in 5% growth Implement an accelerated Transit Surface 12.35 collaboration with City Staff that allows component Priority Plan including: million buses and streetcars to operate more ● Transit priority on all streetcar routes quickly and consistently on key corridors ● Transit priority on 20 busiest bus routes ● Construct 3 approved queue-jump lanes on Lawrence Ave, Finch Ave., and Steeles Ave. by the end of 2019 ● Initiate pilot projects for remaining 8 corridors identified as too narrow to accommodate higher order transit in the 2003 RGS8

Complete Automatic Train Control (ATC) 5% growth Subway capacity improvements, incl.: Unmodelled on Yonge-University Line component ● ATC on Line 1 and Line 2 increase ● Replace T1-model subway car fleet ● Full funding of TTC’s base capital investment requirements

Prepare and implement area studies’ route 5% growth improvements to existing services component

FULLY ACCESSIBLE

TTC’s strategies are largely limited to improving subway station infrastructure around physical mobility. The Alternative RGS proposes more comprehensive accessibility improvements, encompassing the entirety of the TTC system.

Optimize surface service: 1% growth Better transit shelters at every stop: Unmodelled ● Optimize stop spacing to improve component ● Well-lit at night increase safety, accessibility, and reliability ● High-volume stops should have larger ● Add shelters and improve amenities shelters with climate control ● Marked crossing near all transit stops

Continue expansion of the Easier Access 1% growth Complete subway elevator upgrades on Unmodelled Program component schedule (Easier Access Program) increase

Continue progress on “platform gap 1% growth Fully accessible subway service: Unmodelled reduction program” component ● Eliminate platform gaps at all stations increase ● Alternative parallel bus service ● Platform-edge doors in all stations

6 http://www.ttc.ca/About_the_TTC/Commission_reports_and_information/Commission_meetings/2017 ​ /June_15/Reports/6_Express_Bus_Network_Study_combined.pdf 7 https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/03/26/how-the-ttcs-new-weston-express-bus-is-leaving-some- ​ riders-with-mobility-issues-out-in-the-cold.html 8 http://www.ttc.ca/PDF/Transit_Planning/ridership_growth_strategy_2003.pdf ​

4 ANNEX to TTCriders Alternative Ridership Growth Strategy (Jan. 2020)

Explore adding communications materials 1% growth Increase universal signage and Unmodelled in languages to support customers whose component communications for Deaf and Blind people: increase first language is not English ● In-train and on-platform comms ● Extra support during service and elevator disruptions, and emergencies

Continue to roll out WT Family of Services 5% growth Make Wheel-Trans reliable: Unmodelled (NOTE: The Family of Services program component ● Allow people to choose the service increase ​ ​ may have a negative ridership outcome as (Wheel Trans or Conventional) that the TTC compels every Wheel-Trans user feels safe, comfortable and dignified to re-register under AODA changes9) ● Notify customers when: 10+ mins. late, 5 mins. before arrival, and upon arrival

Engage TPA to align parking strategy to 5% growth support transit component

Integrate service with other modes: 2% growth An Active Transportation and Transit Unmodelled ● Bike infrastructure expanded at 40 component Integration Strategy, including: increase stations; Bike Share racks at 5 stns. ● Continuous accessible sidewalks ● Include TTC rides/parking at TTC lots ● Safe cycling routes, more bike parking in event and sports ticket price ● Free Bike Share transfers

AFFORDABLE FARES

Besides the implementation of 2-hour fares, the TTC’s RGS lacks concrete steps to make the TTC affordable for all. Furthermore, the key recommendations such as regional fare integration and U-Pass mostly remain under-defined.

Implement two-hour transfer (NOTE: this 5 million Implement two-hour transfer (NOTE: this 5 million ​ ​ ​ ​ strategy has been implemented) rides strategy has been implemented) rides

Continue to develop and implement 5% growth 905-to-TTC 2-hour transfers 1.99 million regional fare and service integration component initiatives

Implement discounted co-fare for 350,000 Single fare within the 416 on GO, UPX and PRESTO customers combining TTC and TTC (free transfer) GO/UP trips (NOTE: this strategy has ​ ​ been implemented, funding in jeopardy).

Mobility as a service; Integrate technology 5% growth Free TTC rides for people on social 6.27 million into wayfinding component assistance and extreme weather alert days

Explore microtransit 5% growth $50 passes and $1 fares for all low income component people

Explore big data insights 5% growth Metropass cost based on 37.5 trips per component month and 10% reduction to all single fares

Create U-Pass for post-secondary 2% growth Reinstate YRT/VIVA and GO service to Unmodelled students in Toronto (NOTE: approved but component York University Keele Campus immediately increase ​ ​

9 https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/09/23/wheel-trans-users-fear-loss-of-service-under-ttcs-plans- ​ to-have-thousands-reassessed.html

5 ANNEX to TTCriders Alternative Ridership Growth Strategy (Jan. 2020)

not rolled out because cost is subsidized by student fees and requires referenda)

CITY-WIDE RAPID TRANSIT

TTC’s RGS does not include rapid transit expansion beyond Lines 5 and 6.

Open Line 5: Eglinton Crosstown LRT; 5% growth Expand rapid transit: Finch West, Eglinton 17.5 million Open Line 6: Finch West LRT component East & West, Sheppard East, Jane, rides Waterfront LRTs, and Relief Line with North extension to Sheppard

Replace Scarborough RT with light rail; complete originally planned extension to Sheppard and Progress Avenues

Transform Toronto’s Express Bus Network into an integrated city-wide BRT Network.

Establish consistent criteria for evaluating higher order transit (e.g. ridership levels)

6