Toronto gas prices are so high that people are finding alternative ways to get around
Gas prices in Ontario continue to skyrocket to historic levels, and it's only expected to get worse.
The average price of a litre of fuel in the GTA is currently $1.849, representing a massive increase of 25 cents over the last week, and analysts are predicting it will rise even more in the coming days as a result of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
came home to the highest gas prices I’ve ever seen in Toronto? wtf is happening
— ▀C̷P̷A̷R̷K̷▄ (@whoisCPARK) March 8, 2022
With some experts expecting the cost of gasoline to surpass $2 a litre within weeks, many GTA residents are ditching their vehicles and trying to find cheaper ways of getting around.
Pulling that presto card back out at this point
— Che Bhatt (@Shay2_O) March 7, 2022
Spokespeople for the TTC and GO Train both told CP24 they've noticed a slight increase in ridership over the past several days, though they said it's difficult to know for sure whether this is due to gas prices or the city reopening.
The GO train was extra busy today, I’d estimate 40% increase on the same train I normally take. Im assuming gas prices have something to do with that. @GOtransit #gasprices #Toronto #Ontario
— Randall Arsenault (@PCArsenault) March 7, 2022
Anecdotal evidence from Twitter users, however, suggests that many people are making the switch from driver to transit rider as a result of exorbitant prices.
Sorry but 184.9 gas????!! Im bout to dust off the ol’ presto
— 𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒂☾ (@vxn_p) March 6, 2022
Toronto residents have taken to social media this week to confess that they're pulling out their Presto cards, however reluctantly, because who can really afford to spend thousands of dollars on gas?
My son and I have to go out, I filled up the vehicle with gas last night and we have a full tank, however we know taking transit is the cheapest option of traveling today.
— Jennifer Sylvester - (She/Her) (@JJSylvester04) March 6, 2022
We’ll save the gas for other travel, like his drives to school during the week.
Many who have the privilege of being able to walk or take transit to get around are doing just that, but there are also those who are left in an impossible situation: they need to drive to work but simply can't afford to.
Here is a sad reality. Ppl who can't afford to drive to work due to rising costs. There are plenty of low-income ppl who rely on a car to get to work, not everyone has the privilege of living in walkable communities or having access to reliable transit services. #onpoli #TOpoli pic.twitter.com/HqS7AYDqDC
— Justice_Queen (@JusticeQueen6) March 8, 2022
With no end to these sky-high prices in sight, it's no suprise that those who can are resorting to cheaper travel options, and it remains to be seen whether the TTC and GO Train — both of which greatly suffered from low ridership levels during the pandemic — will have to ramp up service to meet the growing demand.
