Perhaps like
me, you have been scratching your head wondering if somebody is
going to solve the TTC’s impressive financial troubles. It’s easier,
and more appealing to simply trust that our politicians will figure
something out. We could then continue to simply be users, enjoying
benefits like more service, new transit lines, labour peace and
station ceilings that no longer drip water.
Riders may yet
have to get up off those familiar red seats and lead the way, but
for now the politicians appear busy at a solution. We know that a
huge bulge of expenditures is coming soon, just to keep our subway,
buses and streetcars from breaking down. It should also have sunk in
that the fuel taxes the TTC will get from senior governments are not
enough to guarantee the system can function over the next few years.
The most recent
political effort seems aimed at “equalization” -- which really means
deciding where the taxes we pay to Queen’s park and Ottawa end up.
Toronto city council recently confirmed that taxpayers here pay $11
billion more in annual taxes than are spent here. The money goes
across the land, shoring up weaker provincial economies and helping
less well-off Canadians outside 416.
Alas, some also
gets wasted, or sent to places that are no longer so needy. Some
consider this the price of stabilizing the nation, or as a fair
redistribution of the wealth of a successful city. While there is a
risk in provoking resentment among Toronto’s citizens, it seems fair
to examine whether the money is going where it is needed.
How much of
this $11 billion calculation should stay here? The city is
apparently moving toward a figure of around $1 billion a year. Such
an amount would deal with some of the gaping holes in Toronto’s
budget -- of which the TTC is the biggest hole. With a billion, we
could start to make serious dents in the maintenance backlog, buy
new buses and hire more drivers, and maybe even lay out some new
bus-only lanes or light rail lines. If there is enough left over
from this still-imaginary sum, we could even consider building new
subway extensions.
Of course, the
volatile situation in the nation’s capital makes the possibility of
more cash for Toronto very uncertain. As the city begins to
formalize its financial request from upper governments, Queen’s Park
is also asking for a rebate from Ottawa. Federal political parties,
eager for votes in Canada’s largest province, may at least appear
willing to talk. If they can weather the backlash from those
citizens outside Ontario who stand to lose, then expect to be wooed
with your own money during the next election.
What is our
role -- to sit back and hope? If riders of the nation’s largest, and
arguably most cash-starved transit system decide to ask for help,
don’t under-estimate the effect on the powers-that-be. But you do
have to ask.