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Toronto mayoral candidates spar over TTC fares ahead of Oct 26 vote
Chow promises another fare freeze and a 10-ride weekly cap, Bradford offers refunds for late vehicles, and Alexander proposes a fare hike to close a $390M shortfall.
Why it matters
With less than a month until the October 26 municipal election, transit affordability has become a defining issue of the mayoral race, with the TTC projecting a $390-million operating shortfall for 2027.
Full story
In statements to CBC Toronto, incumbent Mayor Olivia Chow promised to freeze TTC fares again in 2027 — a fourth consecutive freeze — and to introduce a weekly fare cap of 10 rides, so any trips beyond 10 in a week would be free. Her campaign also proposes lowering the monthly cap from 47 rides to 40.
Challenger Brad Bradford said he would make no fare decisions until an independent, line-by-line audit of city and TTC spending is complete. He is also promising a 15-minute service guarantee: "If your bus, streetcar, or train doesn't arrive within 15 minutes, you get your money back."
Chris Alexander took a different tack, proposing to raise the adult PRESTO fare from $3.30 to $3.40 and add a 10-cent rush-hour surcharge, while cutting fares for seniors, students and low-income riders. He projects the changes would raise $43 million toward the shortfall, plus more from a fare-evasion crackdown. Transit advocacy group TTC Riders urged deeper fare capping instead.
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