Fare Increase - Getting There Without The TTC

By Gary L Morton http://CitizensontheWeb.ca
 

* Please forward this article to as many people as possible. Note- I have only used the TTC two or three times in the last three years.

   If you haven’t heard, the TTC is going up again … the yearly increase that keeps growing and growing as the wallets of poor shrink and shrink. So much for that puny increase the province gave us in the minimum wage, eh. Transit fare increases from the city more than eat that up and now I believe they have finally done it and put the TTC out of reach. A TTC that eats up people's grocery, rent and basic survival money has been created.

   The TTC is a luxury now and can’t be promoted as a green alternative any more. Neither can we listen to excuses from city politicians any more. They can always find money for overpaid police, fire people and city workers that eat up the lion’s share of the city’s budget … but they can’t find any money for the poor and the working poor.

   Why do we suffer? It’s because the poor don’t fight back. Unless the public avoids and or boycotts the TTC the politicians will never listen. If citizens really want fare reductions there is only one action to take – bankrupt the sucker by not using it and force a solution from the politicians. 

   Like many people out there I can no longer afford the TTC. Working part time and being unemployed, I haven’t been able to afford the TTC for two years. I constantly have to look for new ways to travel free or at a lower cost. But how do you do it? 

   Well, here are a few things I have done and that can be done. 

Better your Health and Wealth while avoiding the TTC.

1.                A bike – you can buy a brand-new bike for as low as 99 dollars thru sales at places like Canadian Tire. A used one may be less or you could borrow a friend’s bike. Once you get into the hang of it you can even do it in winter. Try forming your own bike group.

2.                Rollerblades – In the spring large sports shops have pretty good blades for as low a 80 dollars a pair at sales. Get the ones with number 7 bearings because they won’t freeze up from rain exposure. Draw a line 4 kilometers out from your home and circle it and figure that you can get anywhere in that range in a reasonable amount of time even if you’re a poor skater. Try forming a roller group.

3.                Walking … Walk alone or find friends that are younger than you are. This has worked for me in the past. Young people have no money; they’ll make you walk to places that are like six kilometers away. A few weeks of this and you’ll be in great shape and a good conversationalist. Try forming a stroll group.

4.                Clothes - In the worst part of winter you’ll need shoes with treads, a coat with a hood, maybe long johns. In hot summer you’ll need very light clothing and sun block or a hat. Be conscious of the weather and base your fashion choices on the fact that you’ll be out in it. Don’t dress to be sexy or fashionable, dress for comfort.

5.                Use the TTC one-way. Suppose you’re going somewhere that’s a bit too far. In that case take your bike or blades on the TTC and do the return trip on your own power to save a fare.

6.                Bum rides from friends. Don’t be shy. Tell all your friends that you’re unemployed, low-income, disabled or whatever and play the guilt trip hard on them to get free rides. You’d be surprised how well this works. Help make giving a ride to be seen as a good-guy thing. Most Canadians are on face book so create a face book ride share group.

7.                If your job is beyond bike range put a notice in the community newspaper and at work or the Laundromat or wherever asking for car pooling. Again, don’t be shy – kick TTC butt!

8.                Get off your lazy butt and move. Preferably near your work. If you can get in bike range you’re home free. Also, a large part of the manufacturing jobs are now at the outskirts or farther due to high taxes. You can cut your rent a lot by moving out there and getting close to work.

9.                Don’t listen to government butt-kissing green activists about the glories of the TTC. These are the same people who advise you to save energy thru late night use of the dishwasher and air conditioner you never could afford.

10.           Break bad habits – end things like the TTC trip to the bank by using online banking. List every trip you use the TTC for and X out those that are unneeded or could be reached by walking or other means. Try online shopping. Look for a job online … heck, have sex online just to avoid taking the TTC.

11.           Make maximum use of City Parks that are within reach without use of the TTC. If you are anywhere in the city close enough to hit the waterfront trail you can bike or blade from west Scarborough to East Etobicoke … making use of places like the Bluffs, Asbridges Bay, Cherry Beach, the Island, The Ex, Sunnyside, High Park and the Humber. Plus there are also places like the Humber Trail and Taylor Creek Park that head much farther north.

12.           Review all family services. If the family doctor is too far away use a walk-in clinic. Arrange it so all services from dentist to vet to barber are close to home.

13.           If you ever do use the TTC make sure you never use a single fare. Buy more for the lower price and use them over time. A group of teens or friends for example could pool their cash and buy fares for all at the lower prices. Avoiding expensive single fares keeps that cash infusion out of TTC pockets.

14.           Going out – now that you’ve got your bike, roller or walking group, try to get people together to group it to parties and events without using the TTC. This can be a lot of fun.

15.           Buy a Scooter – these things are cheap, and give you a bit more range. They’re great for people who may not have the stamina for biking and walking.

16.           Don’t forget to mention it to friends, politicians and the media. You don’t use the TTC anymore. It isn’t cool, it isn’t the better way and it isn’t affordable.

17.           Make Not Using the TTC the NEW THING IN COOL. Make it Cultural. No more kids that are overweight from lack of exercise, but people who get there on their own power.