This month, TTCriders applied to join the board of the TTC Commission so Toronto’s 1.8 million riders can have a formal say in how the TTC is managed.

TTCriders is a democratic membership based organization of transit riders. Our job is to give riders a voice. 

TTCriders’ executive director, Jessica Bell was democratically elected by TTCriders members to apply to sit on the TTC Commission as a citizen commissioner and represent riders.  

We believe TTCriders needs a seat on the TTC Commission because transit riders most feel the impact of the TTC Commission’s decisions.  When service levels are cut, riders feel it.  When fares are raised, riders pay it.  We need a voice that can truly represent the unique interests of transit users.   

According to City News, the majority of elected officials do not ride transit. For the story, go here: http://www.citynews.ca/2014/12/09/majority-of-ttc-board-members-dont-ride-public-transit-2/

By formally including the voice of riders, the TTC Commission will be a better and more responsive decision making body that better represents the needs and interests of riders. 

It is, in fact, common to have the voice of users on a board. For example, universities have student union representatives on its boards, and the Toronto Community Housing Board has community housing tenants on its board.  

TTCriders is also applying for a seat on the TTC Commission because we believe City Hall and riders need to work together to address the critical issue of fairly funding the TTC.  

The TTC gets the least amount of government subsidy per ride compared to all other major North American transit systems.  Riders and City Hall need to address this funding problem together.

For more information, including a list of the selection committee members, go to: http://www.ttcriders.ca/ttcriders-submits-application-to-join-the-ttc-commission/ .  

The selection committee will select candidates for interviews on March 27. Candidates will be interviewed by the subcommittee on April 9. Chosen candidates will be confirmed at the May 5th City Council meeting.