Mark Sutcliffe is set to kick off his re-election campaign with a significant policy announcement on Monday, unveiling a transit platform that features a commitment to reduce the cost of OC Transpo’s adult monthly pass by $43.50. This marks a change for the mayor, who had previously cautioned that even a fare freeze could strain the system’s finances and emphasized that passengers prioritize reliability over price. Under his proposal, the price of an adult transit pass would decrease from $138.50 to $95 per month, while discounted passes for seniors and low-income individuals would remain unaffected.
Details of the transit campaign announcement were obtained by CBC ahead of Monday’s unveiling, prompting an interview request to confirm and discuss the idea with Sutcliffe. He expressed his hope that the initiative would encourage more people to consider using transit for their daily commutes. Sutcliffe stated, “It’s about rewarding our most loyal customers for their patience. It’s about enticing people back to transit and providing them with a compelling reason to return.”
The estimated annual cost of the reduction is projected to be between $8 million to $10 million, factoring in the anticipated increase in ridership. Without this boost, the total cost would amount to approximately $15 million to $17 million yearly. The funding for this initiative is expected to come from savings resulting from the promised LRT upload to Metrolinx.
Sutcliffe mentioned that it is premature to determine if total monthly fares would be capped at $95 for riders using Presto, debit, credit, or cash for individual trips. He expressed his willingness to collaborate with OC Transpo staff to assess the advantages and disadvantages of such a move. Although the commitment is currently for a single year, Sutcliffe indicated that it could be reviewed and extended based on its effectiveness.
Sutcliffe becomes the fourth candidate to unveil a transit-related platform commitment, following similar announcements from other contenders. Neil Saravanamuttoo proposed a “buck a ride, citywide” plan, setting single fares at $1 with a monthly cap of $40. Jeff Leiper outlined initiatives including reverting bus route changes, enhancing dedicated bus lanes, and introducing a transit guarantee for reliable service. Alex Lawson’s plan involves implementing express bus networks, enhancing fare collection, and prioritizing transit safety.
Amid financial challenges at OC Transpo due to decreased ridership post-pandemic, Sutcliffe pointed out that the system has been running deficits annually. While he honored a promise to freeze fares in the initial year of his current term, subsequent draft budgets did not support efforts to curb proposed fare hikes. However, Sutcliffe noted a shift in circumstances, particularly with the provincial government’s commitment to assume LRT costs, expected to save the city $85 million annually.
As OC Transpo gears up to test the long-awaited east extension and introduce electric buses, Sutcliffe believes the system has reached a level where offering incentives, like reduced fares, is now viable. He emphasized the importance of enhancing the system’s quality before enticing more individuals with lower fares.