So the TTC, which is facing another budget shortfall this year, has lost $2-million to $5-million of revenue because of a ticket/token scam. If the TTC had any more money, it would be able to upgrade its ticketing system so it could offer cards using digital technology and do away with cash and tokens. Alas, there’s no money in the coffers for new technology so we’ll have to live with these scams popping up from time to time.
Faced with a budget shortfall and a choice between cutting service and raising fares, the TTC has decided to boost fares across the board. The question is whether it will hurt ridership, which has been climbing steadily as the city gets busier and people realize it’s an efficient way to get around. My hunch is it won’t reduce the number of people taking the TTC because what choice do people really have these days? Gasoline prices are rising, there is more congestion than ever and more people are working. It all means the TTC has become more important than ever. The sad part is there’s no money to expand the system - let alone build some badly-needed subway or LRT lines to make the TTC is more attractive and easier to use. Can you imagine what the TTC would look like today if Mike Harris’ PCs hadn’t killed plans to build subways acrross Eglinton and Shepherd (not the line that goes to nowhere now on Shepherd)?
There’s a story on the front page of the Toronto Star today about a gun collector who - surprise, surprise - had 40 guns stolen during a break-in. When will we get to the point where society says that gun collections are not allowed. I can understand collecting stamps, hockey cards, teapots, etc. but guns seem strange given they can kill people. At the very least, the rules involving the registration and storage of guns need to be overhauled. If it’s easy for thieves to break into cabinets to steal guns, then the current rules aren’t good enough.
In our house, recycling day is a little embarassing because we’re so good at it, we have boxes and boxes of paper, bottles and compostable material waiting for the garbageman. Meanwhile, some people on our street have far less because they’re consuming less or not recycling as much as they should. It got me thinking that perhaps the city should think about rewarding good recyclers in some way. Maybe they could give up an extra garbage bag sticker after limits of how many you can throw out every two weeks drops to four bags from five bags. On a related matter, this garbage bag limit is going to be a disaster. Rather than complying with the new rules and recycling more, do not be surprised to see bags of garbage dumped on street corners, ravines, other people’s front yards and beside garbage cans on the street. Toronto’s going to need a lot more than six new inspectors to regulate this activity.
You have to give Robert Deluce credit for his persistance in trying to start an airline from Toronto’s Island Airport. His latest move is an agreement to buy 10 turboprop plans from Bombardier. Clearly, a bigger aiport is not part of Toronto’s waterfront revitalization efforts but guys like Deluce are allowed to create havoc because there’s too many parties at the table (city, province, Ottawa) and the lack of a single entity that can create a cohensive plans and make decisions.
You have to shake your head at the news that the two 18-year-old boys who killed a taxi driving while racing each other up Mount Pleasant Rd. at 130 kph were released on bail yesterday. If that doesn’t make you lose faith in the legal system, what does? I mean, they were being dangerous and reckless, and a 46-year-old man lost his life. I suspect that in a year or two, there will be a trial where the two remorseful young men may get a short jail sentence, an order to do some community work and a slap on the risk.
Toronto apparently has a budget deficit for 2006 of more than $500 million. That seems incredible. It’s either a case of provincial downloading coming home to roost and/or bad financial management. So far, the politicians seemed focused on finding new sources of revenue - be it calling in some Toronto Hydro debt or raising property taxes…again. What about taking a deep look at the city’s expenses to find out if there’s some fat to be cut. We seem to have no problems spending $10-million for a new soccer stadium that will rarely see its 25,000-seat capacity filled. Explain to me how a city with a $500 million budget deficit can spend $10-million a soccer stadium? No wonder the province doesn’t want to bother bailing out the city any more.
I don’t go to restaurants too often these days so it’s disappointing when you do go out and the meal’s not wonderful. Fortunately, Torito (274 Augusta Ave.) in Kensington Market was terrific. The tapas restaurant scored with a comfortable atmosphere, excellent service and great food at reasonable prices. It has been described as the perfect first date spot because it’s different and interesting without being too much of a risk. In particular, the lamb loaf and steak were terrific. I’d happily go again. For more raves, here’s an Eye Magazine review, as well as one from Blog.TO.
I had to laugh at the TTC’s decision not to adopt a policy whereby they would cram people like sardines into subways to create more capacity - a practice used in Tokyo. What it does do is put the spotlight on the TTC’s lack of money to grow the system at a time when ridership appears to be on the rise. For all Toronto’s talk about becoming a “world-class” city, the fact our public transporation system is begging for money is troubling. If the city is going to grow by 1 million people over the next 20 years - a policy that seems unviable from a standard of living point of view - the city, province and Ottawa are going to have to bite the bullet and build at least one or two new subways lines.
I hate commuting but a highlight each week is The Fan 590’s Wednesday morning interviews with Toronto Raptors coach Sam Mitchell. Rather than being a fawning, cliche-filled discussion, Mitchell and the The Fan’s co-hosts, Don Landry and Gord Stellick, often get into quasi-arguments after Mitchell objects, refutes or dismisses questions about the team and its players. This morning, however, Mitchell was nowhere to be seen - or heard. He was mysteriously AWOL. Apparently, a reporter asked him about his radio crankiness, which illicited a cranky reply from Mitchell. We miss you, Sam!
