TTC – Corey Burger

Random links o’ the morning

Chris Causton has released a statement through his campaign website on the leave of absence I wrote about the other day.
The Times Colonist reports that police amalgamation is not in the works. This despite the well-publicized issues the Oak Bay Police Department has.
The Oak Bay Police have asked for money to hire an administrative assistant, as a recent recent that they have less admin support than most departments of their size

Saanich allows more urban chickens, in a very special animal-themed council episode earlier this week.
As we debate bus vs rail here in Victoria, Toronto transit riders are getting screwed over by the Ford administration, as the province approves his crazy subway-centric transit plan.
Speaking of rapid transit in Victoria, the date for the open houses has not yet been set, butwhen they are, the dates will be listed on here.

Toronto asks Ontario for TTC subsidy

A few days after I pointed that Toronto doesn’t get a cent from Ontario to run the TTC, “fiscal conservative” Mayor Rob Ford has gone cap in hand, like his predecessors, to ask for Ontario to restore the 50% operating subsidy, but by the “fiscal conservative” Premier Mike Harris. Like his predecessors, Ford failed. Ouch.

http://www.coreyburger.ca/2011/02/surviving-public-transportation/

Just how bad are the transit cuts?

As I have mentioned here many times, BC Transit is one of the few transit agencies in North America not currently cutting service. How bad are those cuts? Here is a map of US transit cuts compiled by Transportation for America:

View United States of Transit Cutbacks in a larger map

What about Canada? Calgary is cutting service, but that was only the one I could find good information about. Ottawa narrowly avoided cutting services, as did Vancouver & Toronto, while Montreal is staring potential cuts in the face. Those that didn’t cut service often did so by raising fares, which will drive ridership away just as surely as cuts will. Overall 2010 looks to be a pretty grim year, although public outrage will likely not appear, as the Transport Politic points out. Transit cuts that were avoided this year will likely come next year, as rising gas further drives cost up. Get ready for a bumpy ride.