Cutting TTC services will be detrimental to lower-income residents and recent immigrants, many of whom rely solely on public transportation to get around, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario representatives and several provincial NDP candidates said Friday, Sept. 16 in North York.
CUPE Ontario invited Toronto NDP candidates to bring their concerns to its leadership meeting held at Lawrence Heights Community Centre on Replin Road.
"CUPE is absolutely opposed to cuts to the TTC," said CUPE Ontario secretary-treasurer Candace Rennick. "It's a direct attack on low-income residents, women and people who can't afford to drive cars. The Province needs to start funding the TTC. People need to be supported and cuts to services won't help."
The city is facing a 2012 operating budget shortfall of $774 million, and all city departments have been asked to trim 10 per cent off their budgets.
City consultants KPMG released a report in July suggesting various service cuts, including TTC operations.
Transit officials voted Friday to cut 251 non-union positions immediately.
Officials also voted in favour of cutting service on 50 bus and streetcar routes during rush hour, and service to 60 routes will also be reduced during off-peak times.
In addition, some 700 dialysis patients who rely on Wheel-Trans will now be forced to find alternative transportation as they are no longer eligible for the service.
"Many Torontonians already commute 90 minutes or more than an hour each way across the city," said Gerti Dervishi, NDP candidate for Eglinton-Lawrence. "After a long day, who wants to stand for another hour or two on a packed bus? Our party has pledged to support families by providing cities with proper public transit funding. And that pledge is tied to fare freezes, which are really important to cash-strapped Torontonians, be they commuters or students."
Neethan Shan, NDP candidate for Scarborough-Rouge River, said many residents can't afford cars or parking fees and rely heavily on the TTC.
"The social and economic impacts have to be investigated," he said of cuts.
Calling public transit a "lifeline" for many, York South-Weston NDP candidate Paul Ferreira said it's vitally important to have a good system across the city.