Extinction Rebellion Toronto supports #freepublictransit

@XR_Toronto

Student fare for TTC going up

If you’re a student in Toronto, your TTC fares are going up disproportionately higher than any other group. With high rents and declining OSAP, our city has become unaffordable for our youth. This was the vote on my motion to reverse this unfair fare hike at city council. https://t.co/u1tVmq4TTL

— Josh Matlow (@JoshMatlow) February 19, 2020

Ottawa Transit Challenge -Défi transport en commun d'Ottawa

Ottawa Transit Riders is organizing the second annual Ottawa Transit Challenge, along with Ecology Ottawa, Healthy Transportation Coalition, and Free Transit Ottawa!
Please join city councillors, staff, and supporters and commit to riding the bus/train/Para Transpo for seven days, from February 17- 23, 2020!

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Les usagers du transport en commun d'Ottawa organisent la deuxième édition annuelle du Défi transport en commun d'Ottawa, en collaboration avec Écologie Ottawa, la coalition pour les transports sains, et Transport en commun gratuit Ottawa!
Veuillez vous joindre aux conseillers municipaux, au personnel et aux partisans et vous engager à prendre l'autobus ou le train ou Para Transpo pendant sept jours, du 17 au 23 février 2020!

https://www.ottawatransitriders.ca/ottawa_transit_challenge_2020

Public transit advocates confronted by security at Ottawa city hall

Right after this moment City Hall security informed us that Giant Watson was a "face covering" and the mini LRT car was "a sign" - and said both things are now banned from "all City property". The Giant Tiger mascot and Marvel impersonators were acceptable though. #FixTheLRT pic.twitter.com/tp9aSoeFQ0

— Marnie Wellar (@okaymarnie) February 17, 2020

TTC abuses riders and the public in general

Imagine, though, if your Mazda 3 greeted you every time you got in it with a, “Hey, you delinquent criminal!” It doesn’t matter if you’re not delinquent and did nothing wrong, you still get the message every time you or your passengers get in.

https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2020/02/14/fare-evasion-may-be-a-problem-but-the-culture-shift-we-need-is-a-respect-for-transit-riders.html 

Guelph, ON, fare-free for youth takes a step forward

Mayor Cam Guthrie announced Friday that he wants free bus rides for high school students and children under 13.
Speaking at the annual State of the City address, he said the plan will be brought to council shortly https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/mayor-to-introduce-plan-plan-for-free-transit-for-high-school-students-and-kids-under-13-2076839

Interested in helping champion free transit for youth in #Guelph? Join us for a coffee at Planet Bean in Downtown Guelph on Feb 22nd at 12 pm! DM for more info. https://t.co/t6FlgDm01p

— Transit Action Alliance of Guelph (TAAG) (@TAAGuelph) February 13, 2020

Idea of #freepublictransit gaining traction

In order to make public transportation a truly public service, cities across North America should eliminate rider fare.
A recent New York Times article explored the conversation happening in several American cities around waiving fare on public buses. The idea, which is gaining traction in US cities, has had tangible effects: the mayor of Lawrence, Mass., has implemented a two-year pilot eliminating the fare on the city’s buses with promising results.

Effective public transportation is a basic need. It enables people to get to grocery stores to buy their food, and it allows them to pursue employment opportunities outside walking distance of their homes. Free public transit would be a positive step towards providing people with equal access to mobility within the area they live.

https://www.queensjournal.ca/story/2020-02-11/editorials/free-public-transportation-could-get-cities-further/