TTC chair enthusiastic about the idea of additional ride sharing fees to help supplement transit costs

January 25th, 2018  |  Canadian Business

As the TCC looks to expand and modernize its system, while struggling to maintain a $545 million operating budget, some chair members are entertaining various financial solutions. For instance, chair member Josh Colle believes that utilizing an added ride-hailing trip fee is a “fantastic idea” to help fun the city’s transit system.

"It is budget time in the city of Toronto, and we need to look at all the resources we can to fund public transit," Colle told CBC Radio One’s Metro Morning.

The idea stems from a similar practice put in place in Chicago, which officials believe will generate up to $18 million in funds by 2018, and $30 million by the end of 2019. Late last year Chicago implemented an “Uber Tax, which increased their existing $0.52 cent ride fee by $0.15 cents, with another $0.05 cent increase anticipated for 2019.

Colle was asked on Metro Morning if he would be in favor of a system like what Chicago has put in place, and he responded with enthusiasm.

"I certainly would," Colle told host Matt Galloway. "I don't want to give away anything we might be doing soon, but I think that's a fantastic idea."

The TTC board approved the transit provider’s latest five-year plan on Thursday. The document spans 60 pages and calls attention to Chicago’s “Uber Tax”. The document however does not explicitly endorse the option, which Colle admits would have to clear city council approval.