Torontonians love to bemoan the inadequacies of the Toronto Transit Commission, and react with righteous incredulity every time a new $0.15 fare hike is introduced (”outrageous!”), but I wonder how many think about the fundamental reasons behind the problems. Despite new taxes, the TTC is still facing substantial budget shortfalls in the coming years, a grim prognosis in a time when growing the system is critical. The knee-jerk response is always to “trim the fat” and point out (minor) bureaucratic incompetencies as the root of all the problems. On a global scale, however, the TTC is one of the leanest in the world, especially when you consider its immense scale and limited density.

How lean? More than 70% of the TTC’s revenue comes from fares.

Compare that to NYC transit, where about 60% of the budget comes from fares, by far the highest percentage in the United States.

Or Vancouver, where it’s 36%.

Or Los Angeles, at 35%.

Or Boston, at 23%.

Or the 21% (!) for Seattle.

The problem with the TTC isn’t fat in the system. It’s our government’s failure to recognize what every world-class city seems to know implicitly - public transit is important.