York Region Transit and the Toronto Transit Commission want you to have your say as it nears completion of a review of fare collection and the possibility of a united fare.
The transit agencies are hosting a virtual town hall Feb. 2 to discuss future fare outlooks in preparation for a final recommendation in May. The ongoing review process has examined removing the double fare boundary between the two transit services, along with other possibilities like fare capping, free fares, off-peak pricing and more.
“Public engagement continues to be central to the development of the five-year fare policy and we want to hear from you,” York Region Transit said on a project website. “The key objective is to develop a complete fare policy that considers all fare options, from zero-fare to full-cost recovery.”
The transit services have been researching fares since 2020, with public consultations conducted in spring 2021. Now, there is one final round of public discussions before a final recommendation in May.
The project aims to create a “consistent fare system” between the two transit systems. It has examined making only a single fare to be charged if a rider transfers between York Region and the Toronto service. It has also explored ideas like a maximum charge limit for a day or week, and charging less for travelling in off-peak hours.
Public feedback to this date has asked for the removal of the double fare, according to York Region Transit. The review has said the current flat rate and two-hour transfer are “equitable and inclusive,” though also said more should be eligible for discounts for equity reasons.
York Region Transit said the “work will identify policy goals such as equity, affordability, revenue and ridership. It will also identify limits and opportunities in the current fare structure that affect fare policy decision making."
Local transit has not increased fares for two straight years due to the pandemic. Fare integration with the TTC has been a point of discussion for several years, though has yet to come into force.
The town hall will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. You can register for the virtual town hall through the project website.
