With elections nearing, the TTC is expected to be a big issue with voters
With the 2010 election campaigns starting to heat up, public transportation and smartcard-based fare collection systems are looking to be central issues, reports the Toronto Star.
The Toronto Transit Commission has come under a lot of fire as of late for its poor customer service. Late last year, a fare hike got many commuters riled up and in January, a picture of a ticket collector sleeping on the job enraged even more customers.
The TTC also announced plans to extend the lines of eight subways to reach more people, but that was also put on hold when the Ontario government decided to delay $4 billion in funding.
Many commuters are demanding that the long-promised smartcard fare payment system be installed as well. The plastic cards would reduce boarding times and streamline the whole payment process.
In the upcoming elections, many voters will be looking for candidates with solutions to these problems.
Last week, Petersborough, Ontario approved a new plan for a smartcard fare collection system. The system will cost $1.5 million to install.
Related ID News:
- Toronto mayoral candidate pledges funding for expansion of subway, use of smartcards
- Toronto and rest of Ontario at odds over transit smartcard
- Toronto commuters frustrated according to new research study
- Toronto transit rolls out smartcards for children and seniors
- Greater Toronto area subway implementing smartcards
