Starting this September, Toronto transit riders have experienced fare-capping, limiting them to paying for a maximum of 47 rides per month. However, mayoral candidate Olivia Chow has upped the ante by promising an even more generous offer if she wins re-election this fall.
Chow’s bold pledge is to cap fares at just 10 rides per week, meaning that after a rider takes 10 trips in a single week, all subsequent TTC journeys for that week are entirely free. This exciting proposal could mean free weekend travel for many commuters who regularly pay for their workday trips.
Emphasizing the practical benefits of this new fare structure, Chow highlighted that the weekly cap would enable riders to start saving sooner. Additionally, the system would be more flexible, allowing people who work from home or miss part of a month due to illness or travel not to lose out on potential savings.
Furthermore, Chow has already laid out plans to reduce the monthly fare cap to 40 rides in 2027, a move that has been included in the budget with an estimated cost of $12.2 million. In her recent campaign declaration, Chow reiterated this commitment to the 40-ride limit, but with the twist of implementing it weekly instead of monthly. She also vowed to keep TTC fares frozen for the fourth consecutive year.
Chow officially kicked off her re-election campaign amidst a crowded field of 53 candidates vying for Toronto’s top political position. Early polling data from Liaison Strategies indicates that Chow holds a significant lead over her main rival, former Beaches-East York councillor Brad Bradford.
As Toronto gears up for the mayoral election on October 26, with advanced polling available from October 6 to October 11, transit riders and voters alike are eagerly watching how these proposed changes could impact their daily commutes and overall city experience.
