The weather wasn't the only thing
freezing in Toronto on Wednesday.
So were fares on the TTC.
Mayor David Miller has pledged to keep current token costs right where they are all the way through 2009.
"We need to make sure that TTC riders, many of whom will be people looking for work, have a break," he explains. "And I think it's an appropriate time not to raise fares."
Riders like the idea but there's a catch - with costs going up, increased service being planned, workers asking for raises, new equipment replacing broken down older vehicles, and fully 70 per cent of the system's operating costs being paid for through the fare box, many are wondering how the city will possibly be able to pull it off.
The answer may be in at least a partial sell-off of some
valuable city assets, an idea being floated as Council gets set to wade through its 2009 budget morass.
Some of the money could also come from the feds and the province, and Toronto is counting on their partners in cash keeping up their end of the bargains.
Will the promised hike spike curtail any TTC expansion plans? Chair Adam Giambrone admits it may have some effect, but riders won't be losing anything - including extra cash.
"We've been able to, because of the lowering gas prices, to lower that budget ... It may mean that we're not able to increase new services ... but what is very clear is that there will be no cuts to service."
What do riders think of the news?
"I think it's a really good thing because a lot of people need it right now," concurs one.
"With the prices going up, we should have a break," agrees another.
A single adult cash fare currently runs $2.75, one of the highest in Canada, and prices have gone up annually for the past two years.
TTC fares have changed a lot since you were a kid. In fact, they've changed a lot since your grandparents were kids. Have a look at the evolution of transit fares in this city over the last half century.
1954
Adult cash fare: 10 cents or 4 for 30 cents
1956
Adult cash fare: 15 cents or 4 for 50 cents
1960
Adult cash fare: 15 cents or 5 for 75 cents
1961
Adult cash fare: 20 cents or 7 for $1.00
1964
Adult cash fare: 20 cents or 6 for $1.00
1967
Adult cash fare: 25 cents or 5 for $1.00
1969
Adult cash fare: 30 cents or 4 for $1.00
1975
Adult cash fare: 40 cents or 3 for $1.00
1976
Adult cash fare: 50 cents or 5 for $2.00
1978
Adult cash fare: 55 cents or 7 for $3.00
1979
Adult cash fare: 60 cents or 6 for $3.00
1981
Adult cash fare: 65 cents or 7 for $4.00
1982
Adult cash fare: 75 cents or 8 for $5.00
1983
Adult cash fare: 85 cents or 6 for $4.00
1984
Adult cash fare: 90 cents or 7 for $4.90
1985
Adult cash fare: 95 cents or 5 for $5.90
1986
Adult cash fare: $1.00 or 5 for $4.00
1987
Adult cash fare: $1.00 or 6 for $5.00
1988
Adult cash fare: $1.05 or 8 for $7.00
1989
Adult cash fare: $1.10 or 8 for $7.50
1990
Adult cash fare: $1.20 or 7 for $8.00
1991
Adult cash fare: $1.30 or 7 for $7.50
1992
Adult cash fare: $2.00 or 5 for $5.50
1995
Adult cash fare: $2.00 or 10 for $15.00
1996
Adult cash fare: $2.00 or 10 for $16.00
1999
Adult cash fare: $2.00 or 10 for $17.00
2001
Adult cash fare: $2.25 or 10 for $18.00
2003
Adult cash fare: $2.25 or 10 for $19.00
2005
Adult cash fare: $2.50 or 10 for $20.00
2006
Adult cash fare: $2.75 or 10 for $21.00
2007
Adult cash fare: $2.75 or 10 for $22.50
Current rates