06-15-2022, 09:03 PM
(06-15-2022, 08:31 PM)plam Wrote: I don't think prices for transit should go up, but I also think it's difficult for Regional Council to not do so, because Ontario citizens are too concerned with not paying tax rather than having public services. It would really require provincial funding to hold the line on transit prices. The Region can't run operating deficits and gas prices are up. Indeed, the increases look to be less than inflation.
NZ is having temporary 50% off transit and cutting the gas tax right now, centrally funded.
Indeed, if the price increase is less than inflation (especially considering how much fuel is a factor), then the subsidy to transit is actually increasing, all else equal.
You can argue about whether or not the current subsidy and level of service is correct, but I don't want to end up in a Toronto situation where politicians pride themselves in keeping tax increases below inflation, ending up with lowest tax rate in the province, and it begins to show.