“Be comfortable with the uncomfortable. #TTC”
In hopes of finding a little inspiration for this week’s post on transit policy, I searched #TTC on Twitter and the results did not disappoint. @DanteStills offered the titular words of wisdom, “be comfortable with the uncomfortable #TTC.”
I assume Dante is referring to Toronto’s overcrowded subways, streetcars, and buses that have inspired thousands of Torontonians to take to Twitter to express their frustration with the city’s public transportation system*. Our trip to Union Station and Toronto City Hall highlighted the complexities involved in expanding, maintaining, and improving public transit, including budgetary constraints and the sometimes strenuous relationships with relevant agencies, boards, commissions, and developers.
During a discussion with an MPP alumna working for the City, the topic of rideshare companies arose, from which I now offer an alternative interpretation of Dante’s tweet. The alumna explained that there is plentiful misinformation surrounding the implications of rideshares on the city. Officially referred to as private transportation companies (PTCs), major rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft are commonly associated with increased emissions and as a substitute for taking public transit.
Citing a recent study commissioned by the City, the alumna explained that increased emissions are in fact not a major concern. Uber and Lyft are often considered substitutes for public transit; however, I argue that they can complement public transit under certain circumstances. I live close enough to downtown that owning a car is not necessary for me, so I take the TTC on a daily basis — well, a semi-daily basis. Over the course of a month, there are typically a handful of days in which I am forced to use rideshare companies to make it to class or work on time due to an issue with public transit. Rideshare companies can fill in the gaps of the TTC’s frequent struggles with capacity or maintenance.
When I offered this thought to the alumna, she explained that many city councillors and their staff are uncomfortable with the idea of more modern forms of transportation, including PTCs and micromobility options (think e-scooters). She said that there is a hesitancy to adopt transit options with a heavy tech influence, and numerous councillors have fought to prevent PTCs and micromobility from expanding in Toronto. This is not to say that there aren’t any negative externalities associated with these newer forms of transit, but I do think there’s merit in urging municipal governments to become more comfortable with these alternative transit options to provide some relief to the currently overrun and underfunded system.
*Note: Turns out @DanteStills is a football player from West Virginia and he’s quite fond of the phrase “Trust The Climb”
