On Monday, Mark Sutcliffe is set to unveil the first significant policy initiative of his re-election campaign, which features a transit plan that promises to reduce the price of OC Transpo’s adult monthly pass by $43.50.
This represents a notable change for a mayor who had earlier cautioned that even a freeze on fares could jeopardize funding for the transit system, insisting that passengers prioritize reliability over cost.
According to his proposal, the cost of an adult transit pass would decrease from $138.50 to $95 monthly, while discounted rates for seniors and low-income individuals will stay the same.
CBC learned about the upcoming transit announcement and subsequently approached Sutcliffe for an interview to confirm and elaborate on the proposal. He expressed his hope that this initiative will encourage more individuals to utilize transit for their daily commutes.
“It’s about acknowledging our most loyal customers for their patience,” he remarked. “It’s about inviting people back to transit, providing them a reason to return, and making it appealing for them to do so.”
He indicated that the reduction would result in an annual cost of approximately $8 million to $10 million, although this figure accounts for an anticipated increase in ridership that his campaign team believes is likely to occur. Without that increase, they estimate the overall annual cost would be around $15 million to $17 million.
The funding for this initiative is expected to come from savings Sutcliffe anticipates from the proposed uploading of LRT services to Metrolinx.
Sutcliffe noted that it is premature to determine whether the total monthly fares for riders purchasing individual trips using Presto, debit, credit, or cash would be capped at $95.
“I think that’s something I would want to collaborate with OC Transpo staff on to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages,” he stated. “But we would certainly consider it.”
This commitment is only valid for one year, though Sutcliffe mentioned that it could be reviewed and potentially extended.
“If it proves successful, I would want to maintain it,” he said. “I aim to keep transit passes as affordable as possible over the next four years.”
Other candidates have already released plans
Sutcliffe is the fourth candidate to announce a commitment regarding transit.
Neil Saravanamuttoo also concentrated on fares in his initial major announcement, which he termed “buck a ride, citywide.” He proposes setting single fares at $1 for all riders, capping monthly costs at $40.
This plan is expected to incur significantly higher costs than Sutcliffe’s promise, although Saravanamuttoo also anticipates a rise in ridership and asserts he would utilize the upload funds to cover the difference.
He aims to redesign the bus network and establish a transit real estate development agency to support funding for the system.
Jeff Leiper released the majority of his transit policy even before he formally registered to run for mayor.
He intends to reverse recent bus route modifications criticized by the city’s auditor general, introduce additional dedicated bus lanes, and establish a citizen representative on the transit committee that supervises OC Transpo. He is also pledging a transit guarantee, ensuring reliable service or refunds for riders.
Alex Lawson’s transit proposal includes a network of express buses to support the LRT, initiatives to enhance fare collection, and revamped bus schedules. He is also committed to improving safety on transit.
Some of his pledges, such as moving away from school routes and double-decker buses, have already been implemented by OC Transpo since they were proposed.
Transit turmoil easing, Sutcliffe says
OC Transpo has faced financial challenges as ridership remains significantly below pre-pandemic figures. The transit agency has reported deficits for consecutive years, with the shortfall reaching $52 million last year.
While Sutcliffe honored a previous campaign commitment to freeze fares during the first year of his current term, he has not supported other councillors’ attempts to limit proposed fare increases in subsequent budget drafts.
For the 2024 budget, he stated that another year of frozen fares would accumulate over time, ultimately costing a considerable amount, and the 2025 budget included a fare increase of five percent.
However, he mentioned that circumstances are changing, particularly due to the provincial government’s pledge to upload the LRT and assume its costs, which Sutcliffe believes will save the city $85 million annually.
<p"Because we were largely shouldering the expenses of the LRT project, we frequently had to choose between making fares more affordable and investing in the system," he explained.
He contended that the upload will free up resources, enabling him to achieve both objectives. He also indicated that it would help fund various other transit investments he plans to announce on Monday, although he would not disclose those details in advance.
As OC Transpo prepares to test the long-awaited east extension and as electric buses begin to operate, Sutcliffe remarked that the system is finally at a stage where an incentive is justifiable.
“We needed to elevate the quality of the system before we could start attracting more people with lower fares,” he noted.