[GenerationW]

[video=youtube;cFfe7aOlKs4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFfe7aOlKs4&feature=player_embedded[/video]

I'm sure most of you have seen the ad above by now. $500,000 is being spent on this campaign by the Public Transit Coalition, which includes the Toronto Environmental Alliance, the Amalgamated Transit Union, local 113, and community activists. If this statement (his union is spending $500,000) from the NP article is true, doesn't it mean that the union is running the show and the other groups are just along for the ride?

A ten question survey was sent to all candidates for mayor and councilor, and they were graded from zero to ten. It seems most did not reply to the survey (for which they got a zero). Thought I'd be a candidate for a day and take a stab at it:

1. Do you agree that people in every ward have a right to reliable, frequent, and accessible public transit?

A reasonable expectation? Sure they do. A right? Makes it sound like a constitutional issue.

Not a good question

2. Will you advocate for maintaining TTC service levels and work to increase service to all wards?

That's really two questions. Yes to the first part, and where warranted to the second.

3. TTC operating costs are paid for through riders' fares and a government subsidy. Under Premiers Davis, Peterson and Rae, the Province and the City agreed that the Province would fund 50% of the TTC’s operating subsidy. Currently, no such agreement exists with the Province and the City is left to pay 100% of the TTC's operating subsidy. Do you think the Province should return to paying 50% of the TTC’s operating subsidy as it did under the leadership of Premiers Davis, Peterson and Rae?

Ideally, yes, but realistically, it's wishful thinking, at least in the short-term.

4. Will you support keeping fares in check by advocating that the City and Province pay at least 30% of the TTC's operating costs?

What would cost the Province more: a 50% subsidy, or 30% of operating costs? Or is that 30% combined by the City and Province?

Questions 3 and 4 deal with similar issues but aren't presented clearly enough.

5. Do you agree that Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) are the preferred technology for the implementation of the Transit City plan?

A horribly worded question since the only correct answer at this point in time is yes. A more appropriate question would be to ask if LRV's should be the preferred technology. The most appropriate question would be to ask if the Transit City plan itself is preferred by the candidate. Bet you that question alone would have increased the number of candidates who responded to the survey.

6. Do you plan to advocate for the completion of the Transit City Light Rail plan that was promised by Premier Dalton McGuinty, Toronto City Council, and the TTC in 2007?

Another murky question. What exactly was promised in 2007? That the entire TC plan would be built, or just the first four(?) lines? Besides which, promises made in 2007 before the recession are essentially now worthless.

7. Should the TTC continue to be publicly owned, maintained, and operated?

Ideally, yes.

8. Should the Toronto Transit Commission continue to be governed by City Councillors?

Is this really an issue?

City of Toronto Agencies, Boards and Commissions are governed by elected representatives and are required to be open and transparent to the public. Ontario’s regional transit authority, Metrolinx, is governed by an unelected board of directors that is appointed by and reports to the Minister of Transportation. Presently, Metrolinx is not required to provide advance notice of meetings; conduct its meetings in public; allow public deputations; or publicly publish its reports, agendas, and minutes. Would you support an open, transparent and publicly accountable Metrolinx?

I guess it is an issue for certain people. This sounds like some sort of preemptive strike due to a fear that Metrolinx will take over the TTC. Is there bad blood between the TTC and Metrolinx? Why else would a question like this be in this survey? Inquiring minds want to know!!

10. Are you in favour of the private sector financing, designing and planning transit projects in Toronto?

A completely private transit project in Toronto? There is no chance of that. On the other hand, a public-private partnership might be worth studying. We could always say no if the numbers don't add up.


And for you capitalists or those open to bribes, on this page you can take their mini-survey and win a cheque for $121 disguised as a Metropass, though I imagine the winners probably have to provide the "proper" answers.

 

[Dan416]

Worst. Survey. Ever.

 

[Redroom Studios]

funny. its clearly a communist plot... seriously though, what can you do. very few humans are enlightened enough to do what is outside their own immediate interest so we will always have competing views. To answer the big question: yes the TTC should remain public.

 

[The Mad Navigator]

funny. its clearly a communist plot... seriously though, what can you do. very few humans are enlightened enough to do what is outside their own immediate interest so we will always have competing views. To answer the big question: yes the TTC should remain public.

LOL @ Commie plot.

 

[grey]

Who writes this stuff? What a horrible way to make their case. It almost makes me want for some level of privatization.

 

[Electrify]

The status quo is fine. Sure privatization has been a disaster in some places, but it is not as if the the TTC would ever strike with less than 60 minutes of notice before walking off the job...

Not sure if privatization is the answer, but I do know the TTC union needs a swift kick in the ass, and that Bob Kinnear needs to choke to death slowly on a bag of shit.

 

[rbt]

The status quo is fine. Sure privatization has been a disaster in some places, but it is not as if the the TTC would ever strike with less than 60 minutes of notice before walking off the job...

Using a 3rd party operator doesn't prevent that either. Viva has had more than a few buses not run due to staff not showing up to work. A restaurant I worked at had all servers walk out simultaneously when the owner made an ass of themselves and the guy next-door gave them a better offer.

It's less likely with a non-unionized shop but still entirely possible.

A contract could be formed with either a 3rd party or the current TTC union with notification rules built in to prevent it; at some cost.

 

[Electrify]

^^And as I said, I'm not sure if privatization or contracting out is the answer. But I'm more level headed than some, and after the hijinks they've pulled over the past several years, it is not a bad move politically to suggest privatization.

 

[Chuck]

Let's not cloud the real issue here. It's not the "public" aspect of public transit that bothers most people, it's the fact that unions are too powerful and too expensive.

Most ironic of all is the fact that the only other transit system in the GTA operated by the ATU 113 union is the semi-private VIVA system in York Region.

Morons.