Another rant to show that I’m behind the times. Because, honestly I really have no REASON to rant about this sort of thing anymore. Other than, I’ve felt really combative lately and want to rant about lots.
On April 1st, 2009 the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) put into effect the notion that metropass holders would no longer receive free parking at… 16 lots they normally would? (Non-metropass holders paid to park during peak hours already)
And you have driving commuters outraged at the basic doubling in price of commuting, while you had non-driving commuters playing little violins & offering cheese with all the whine about the increase in fares.
But my argument will solely be based on numbers.
An average commuter:
A metropass costs $110.00 per month.
An average month has 22 working days, this equals $5.00 per day.
Parking at a TTC lot on average costs $6.00 per day
Driving to the nearest TTC lot takes about 30 minutes in rush hour.
Taking the TTC from that station to the downtown core takes anywhere from 45 minutes to 60 minutes during rush hour (depending on whatever and based on subway only)
Compare that to:
Parking downtown costs anywhere from $8.00 to $20.00 per day.
$8.00 was around Ryerson Campus.
$12.00 was around the Eaton centre (and could take you straight in)
$20.00 was in the financial district. I’d rather walk (Take P.A.T.H. in the winter!) from a cheaper parking lot!
Driving to downtown during rush hour takes around 60 to 75 minutes, depending on your route, and how willing you are to piss off all the other drivers by weaving through traffic.
So really, there’s no advantage to taking the TTC for the average 905 commuter anymore. It’s a good thing I’m not an average 905 commuter. Nor am I a commuter. I try to give the TTC as little money as possible. And instead, bought a more fuel effecient car.
I’m sure it’ll balance itself out.
