Toronto Mayor John Tory’s welcome reverse on transit exposes his flank

[marmar]

(Toronto Star) TTC boss Andy Byford says Monday was “an historic day for the TTC.” And he’s not the only one ecstatic over Mayor John Tory’s bold and unexpected transit announcement at a public school in the city’s west end.

Students at Joyce Public School were heard chanting “John Tory, John Tory” as they moved from the main building to a portable, even as Tory held a news conference in the school’s parking lot.

They may be kids, but they know a good thing. Tory had just told them that starting March 1 all Toronto kids aged 12 and under will ride transit free. The TTC bus in the parking lot flashed the sign, KIDS RIDE FREE. And the future voters greeted the news with glee.

.....(snip).....

* Add two subway trains to morning and afternoon rush-hour service on the Yonge-University and the Bloor-Danforth lines. This is in addition to a similar boost last fall.

* Expand (to 34 from 22) the network of routes that provide overnight service for four million riders.

* Increase the express bus network, adding four new routes to a network serving 34 million rides a year. ...............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2015/01/19/john-torys-welcome-reverse-on-transit-exposes-his-flank-james.html

[KamaAina]

1. SF Muni just added free youth fares as well

up to a much higher age. We shall see what happens to ridership in the afternoons, especially on already overcrowded lines like the 38-Geary.