New TTC chair Colle pledges quick boosts to bus service

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Toronto's new TTC chair is going to focus first on quick boosts to bus service, saying that people need to see tangible improvements in transit to be able to have faith in the agency.

The appointment of Josh Colle to head the TTC oversight board was approved Wednesday by Toronto council. The veteran councillor later told reporters that it was his first choice of roles and that he was looking forward to making real change.

"I say to riders that you've been patient, you've paid your way and it's time for us to deliver some improvements back to you," he said. "There's a clear sense that our buses are too crowded, our wait times are too long and our journey times are too long. And there are things we can do, I think in the short term, to improve that."

In August the TTC put forward a list of service improvements that remain unfunded. Last week, only days before taking office as mayor, John Tory said that he was keen to make improvements and that he would fight to secure extra funding. Among the suggestions being considered are reversing service reductions on more than 100 existing bus routes, a return to previous loading standards, which would reduce crowding, and adding more express bus routes.

Also, in a speech last week, transit CEO Andy Byford cited the frustration of riders unable to count on timely service as he laid out the TTC's goal of halving delays within five years. The plan did not have a specific price-tag attached.

Mr. Tory promised during the election to keep fares frozen next year. Mr. Colle acknowledged that improving service will be "difficult" task given the fiscal realities of the transit agency. The TTC is perennially short of money as it struggles to carry an ever-growing ridership.

Mr. Colle, the ward 15 councillor, ran for the position as TTC chair earlier this year when Karen Stintz resigned to contest the mayoralty. He came second then to Maria Augimeri but won uncontested in Wednesday's race.

"The task is not a light one," he said. Asked what the mayor had told him, Mr. Colle was succinct: "I think his message was, you and Andy go get buses and I'll go get money."

Mr. Tory has pledged to go to other levels of government for more funding. This goal is shared by Mr. Byford and it was echoed Wednesday by Mr. Colle.

"This is not cap in hand, we're not a charity case," he said. "If you believe in a strong Toronto and there's a strong economy in Toronto, you need a strong transit system. And that's the case that should be a no-brainer for any senior level of government who enjoys all the wealth that's created out of this city. Transit is just part and parcel with that."