Mark Sutcliffe is set to unveil his first significant policy proposal for his re-election campaign on Monday, announcing a transit plan that includes a commitment to reduce the cost of OC Transpo’s adult monthly pass by $43.50. This represents a change in direction for the mayor, who had previously cautioned that even a fare freeze could lead to financial strain on the system, emphasizing passengers’ preference for reliability over price. Under his plan, 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 unchanged.
Details of the upcoming transit campaign announcement were shared with CBC ahead of Monday’s reveal, prompting an interview request to confirm and discuss the proposal with Sutcliffe. He expressed hope that the reduced fares would encourage more individuals to consider using public transit for their daily commutes. Sutcliffe stated that the cost reduction would amount to approximately $8 million to $10 million annually, factoring in the anticipated increase in ridership. The funding for this initiative would be sourced from the savings expected from the promised LRT upload to Metrolinx.
Sutcliffe indicated that it is premature to determine if the total monthly fares would be capped at $95 for riders using Presto, debit, credit, or cash for individual trips. He mentioned a willingness to collaborate with OC Transpo staff to assess the advantages and disadvantages of such a measure. While the commitment is currently limited to one year, Sutcliffe mentioned the possibility of extending it based on its effectiveness.
Other candidates have also revealed their transit plans for the mayoral race. Neil Saravanamuttoo proposed a “buck a ride, citywide” approach, setting single fares at $1 for all riders with a monthly cap of $40. Jeff Leiper outlined plans to reverse recent bus route changes, enhance bus lanes, and introduce a citizen seat on the transit committee overseeing OC Transpo. Alex Lawson’s transit strategy includes an express bus network, fare collection improvements, and enhanced safety measures.
Amidst financial challenges faced by OC Transpo due to reduced ridership post-pandemic, Sutcliffe highlighted the impact of frozen fares in his previous term and the need to balance affordability with system investments. He pointed to the provincial government’s commitment to assume LRT costs as a significant factor in the city’s financial relief and future transit enhancements. With upcoming tests of the east LRT extension and the introduction of electric buses, Sutcliffe emphasized the system’s readiness for fare incentives following improvements in service quality.