TTC considering lowering fares during certain times

The TTC hasn't touched the standard cost to ride a subway, streetcar or bus in Toronto since its last fare increase in 2023, but riders could actually soon be paying less to hop on the network during certain times.

The City is considering adopting new "special event transit rates" that, when applied concurrently with higher parking fees, would hopefully encourage more people heading to major venues to take public transportation rather than their personal vehicles.

It's all part of a larger strategic parking framework that was approved by the Infrastructure and Environment Committee earlier this month, and is heading to City Council next week.

As the General Manager of Transportation Services wrote in the motion proposing the changes, lowering the price to take the TTC during large festivals, sports games, concerts and other happenings would ostensibly "discourage driving, manage congestion and free up space for transit" in our increasingly gridlocked downtown core.

A spokesperson for the City tells blogTO that it, the TTC and the Toronto Parking Authority are looking at any and all options to help better manage our roadways and parking "as the city grows and evolves."

"Pricing is one tool that can help encourage people who would otherwise drive to consider using transit. Reducing the number of vehicles on Toronto's roads, particularly single-occupant trips, is an effective way to help manage traffic congestion, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions," they explained over email.

They added that the parking fee hikes, which would be implemented at the same time as the temporary transit fare reductions, "have been successfully used in various jurisdictions that we examined," making them a promising, tried-and-true option.

The focus would be on-street parking in busy areas, with the goal of encouraging longer-term parkers — i.e., locals — to use off-street locations instead, thereby freeing up curbside spaces. 

Adding more time-limited parking, designating one on-street space per block for bikes, and taking various steps to encourage carshare uptake. Many other suggestions are also being explored as part of the broader approach.

The TTC, meanwhile, states that although event rates are not something that the commission itself is currently considering, "it could be revisited with the next major iteration of PRESTO, which would make it technically possible."

Council will assess the strategic parking framework on June 25.