TTC board members have approved a fare hike that will force customers to pay more for tokens and Metropasses as the transit agency faces a $28-million budget shortfall.
Commissioners met Wednesday to confirm a previous “approval-in-principle” of a proposed five-cent increase that will take effect Jan. 1.
The cost of a single token will increase by five cents to $2.65, while riders will pay an additional $2.50 a month for a regular Metropass, or $30 a year.
Post-secondary Metropasses, weekly passes, day passes and PRESTO fares will also increase in price.
Cash fares, currently set at $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and 75 cents for children, will not change.
It is estimated the fare hike will generate an additional $18 million a year for the TTC, leaving it with a remaining budget gap of $10 million.
In a staff report, the TTC explained its reason for the move, saying “a modest fare increase in line with the rate of inflation is required to balance the budget.”
Here is a breakdown of how the increase will affect individual fares:
| Adult | Current fare | New fare |
| Cash | $3 | $3 |
| Token | $2.60 | $2.65 |
| PRESTO | $2.60 | $2.65 |
| Weekly pass | $37.50 | $38.50 |
| Regular Metropass | $126 | $128.50 |
| VIP Tier 1 (50-249) | $113.50 | $115.50 |
| VIP Tier 2 (250-499) | $112.50 | $114.25 |
| VIP Tier 3 (500-plus) | $111.50 | $113 |
| MDP | $115.50 | $117.75 |
| Post-secondary Metropass | $104 | $106 |
| Senior/student | ||
| Cash | $2 | $2 |
| Ticket | $1.75 | $1.80 |
| Weekly pass | $29.75 | $30.50 |
| Regular Metropass | $104 | $106 |
| MDP | $93.50 | $95.75 |
| Child | ||
| Cash | 75 cents | 75 cents |
| Ticket | 60 cents | 60 cents |
| Other | ||
| Day pass | $10.50 | $10.75 |
| GTA weekly pass | $54 | $55 |
| Downtown express sticker | $37 | $37.75 |
Cellphone access on platforms
In addition to setting new fares, TTC board members will decide whether to award a $25-million, 20-year contract to Broadcast Australia Pty. Ltd. to provide cellphone access at 61 underground subway stations.
The company will pay the TTC an additional $8,000 plus taxes for design review cost.
The TTC is hoping to have all platforms cellphone-ready within two years, meaning riders will be able to use their phones when they’re waiting for a train.
Deals still have to be worked out with wireless carriers.
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