A group of protesters held signs and chanted at Toronto City Hall to demand lower transit fares for a number of low-income groups Wednesday.

Several dozen protesters gathered over the noon hour in the city hall rotunda, holding signs that asked “where’s our fair pass?” as the city’s Executive Committee met.

“ESL, adult secondary programs do not qualify for the TTC’s student discount rate,” one speaker said. “By the way, that discount of $30 is not low enough. It would not make enough of a difference, but even that our adult learners do not receive.

“Because they have come back to school after the loss of a job or to improve their work opportunities in the face of so much precarious employment, it’s probably fair to say that the majority of adult learners in adult ed programs are living on a low income. Many are also raising families.”

The full cost for a monthly TTC Metropass is currently $141.50; A pass for students between 13 and 19 years of age or for seniors over age 65 is $112.  

About a year ago, the TTC voted to raise the cash fare for a TTC ride to 3.25 and to raise the token price by 10 cents to $2.90. However the commission left Metropass prices unchanged.  

The protest was organized by The Fare Fair Coalition and the TTCriders group. Members from a number of groups took part in the protest Wednesday, including the Ontario Chinese Seniors Association, the Canadian Association of Retired People and the Airport Workers Council.