The case for affordable transit

The case for affordable transit

By Rathika Sitsabaiesan

When Mayor Rob Ford took office in December 2010 he promptly cancelled the most comprehensive transit plan Torontonians have ever seen. However, with city council’s recent vote, it seems that light rail transit is back on the table, along with a renewed commitment to public transportation. These developments highlight the need for commitment to public transit at the Federal level, and the creation of a National Transit Strategy that would support accessible, affordable public transportation in Toronto and across the country.

The latest Census numbers have demonstrated some important stats in the case for improved public transportation in Toronto and the surrounding area. For instance, commuting patterns have changed dramatically as the suburbs have grown and employment has increased in these areas. Individuals are travelling in every direction, all over the city and surrounding areas to get to work. The traditional commute into the city is now accompanied by commuters travelling north to fast-growing areas such as Vaughan and Brampton. The congestion it creates is unmanageable given the current infrastructure.

Therefore, the development of proper public transportation is essential. The most obvious advantage is the reduction in commute time and congestion, which provides benefits for individuals and businesses. For individuals it can be as simple as reduced travel time to work or school, and for jobseekers it can open up their job search to a greater geographical region. For businesses, the reduced congestion can provide for improved delivery of goods and services and ultimately an increase in efficiency. The social and economic benefits provided by accessible and affordable public transportation far outweigh the short-term costs required to improve Toronto’s inadequate transport infrastructure. The costs would be paid back over time by the increased tax revenue from the higher level of employment and the increase in business.

Particularly for jobseekers, affordable transit can provide a huge boost. First, it increases the number of opportunities for jobseekers by expanding their search as more locations become accessible. Second, the financial stress caused by the costs of transit passes is an unnecessary burden for the unemployed, and relieving this stress can provide some much needed relief. Finally, the economic benefits to local businesses can improve job growth, further improving the job prospects for the unemployed in the area.

With the population growth in Toronto focused in the suburbs and surrounding area, and this trend is set to continue long into the future, improving transit is a necessity if the city is to continue to have a strong and vibrant economy. We are already years behind where we should be in terms of transit and its time that we begin to move forward.

Our current transit system excludes many of the suburbs and surrounding areas including Scarborough-Rouge River, an area where incomes are lower, jobs are sparse, and where many families struggle to make ends meet. For many of us living in this area, the commute to work can take over two hours using public transit. This is two extra hours that we could be spending with our families and friends, two extra hours that we could use to be being more productive employees, two extra hours of our daily lives that we will never get back. The solution is to provide more affordable and more comprehensive transit, not only will this help reduce inequality; it will improve economic performance.

It’s time for leadership on this issue, not just at the municipal level but at the provincial and federal levels as well. Working together will help generate the environment required to spur economic growth, create jobs, and help those in need. It’s time for action; it’s time to bring public transportation in Toronto into the 21st century; it’s time for a National Transit Strategy.

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(Rathika Sitsabaiesan, MP, Scarborough-Rouge River)