Hume: Inadequate TTC spinning its wheels
November 20, 2009
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Christopher Hume
In light of the just approved TTC fare hike, many felt the timing of this week's subway shutdown was somewhat ironic.
In fact, the chronology was perfect, and for a number of reasons.
First, it served as a reminder of just how essential public transit is to Toronto. The city couldn't survive without it. This may sound obvious, but given our history of indifference and ineptitude, it's good to be reminded. The sight of tens of thousands of people flooding the streets to catch shuttle buses and taxis was unnerving.
The truth is that a city like Toronto is never more than a few minutes, even seconds, from disaster. And given the deteriorating state of the civic infrastructure here, chances of that disaster happening are greater than ever.
Second, the emergency unleashed an explosion of pent-up frustration with the TTC, which limps along never quite managing to keep up with demand, and certainly not able to anticipate it.
The real irony in Wednesday's emergency was how many riders blamed the TTC for an accident that wasn't of its own making. It was a much mentioned "third-party contractor" that did the damage that closed the Yonge line between Bloor and Eglinton stations for six long hours.
From a public perspective, however, the accident came just days after the commission announced yet another fare increase, a relatively substantial one, for service that hasn't kept pace with demand.
Though the TTC is its own worst enemy in some respects, its inadequacy is a reflection of years of neglect.
The province that once funded half the system's operating budget now contributes nothing to day-to-day operations.
The federal government is equally happy to wash its hands of such help.
The real victim Wednesday was the TTC, and of course its users.
But perhaps the most worrisome aspect of the event was the sense of resignation. This is Toronto, people's expressions seemed to say, what do you expect?
With expectations so low, people are more willing to settle for mediocrity. It becomes a habit. And because bad service and emergencies occur so often, people are reluctant to rely on the TTC. Clogged roads and highways are the result.
As recently as three weeks ago, internal TTC memos were outlining the deep cuts that would be made if proposed budget cuts were to take effect. Though largely an accounting exercise, the document painted a picture of a system in decline.
Had Wednesday's stoppage been a one-off event, passengers might have been willing to grin and bear the inconvenience. But because it was one in an endless string of disruptions, big and small, patience is wearing thin.
No one was surprised last week when the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development took Toronto to task for its inadequate transit and commute times longer than in New York and even Los Angeles.
Public transit in Toronto has fallen decades behind much of the developed world. Worst of all, many don't think anything can be done. There's a sense of resignation.
Wednesday's fiasco has already ended up predictably in a legalistic search for who's responsible. Lawyers will soon be involved. In the finger-pointing and bickering that follow, the more pressing issue of public transit will be forgotten.
The province, which dictates the expenditure of 75 per cent of the civic budget, still whines when the city needs a "bailout." In a typical move, Queen's Park will help pay for new subway lines, but not the drivers who will operate them. That's our problem.
It's time for Torontonians to get angry. No one could blame us.
Christopher Hume can be reached at chume@thestar.ca.
Toronto Star