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Mixed SignalsToronto Transit in a North American Context
Fares ndash Networks ndash Budgets ndash Governance
2018
Mixed Signals 2018
About CodeRedTO
CodeRedTO is a consciously non-partisan volunteer-run localand regional transit advocate We promote more and bettertransit options for more residents using all availabletechnologies where appropriate creating better information forbetter decision-making completion of efficient and approvedplans and support increased predictable funding for publictransit expansion and operation
CodeRedTO is funded through personal donations and grantsfrom non-profit agencies and foundations and directed by anadvisory board with no financial interest in any transportationprojects or agencies
CodeRedTO was founded in 2011
infoCodeRedTOcom
CodeRedTO
CodeRedTO
Report Authors amp Contributors
Cameron MacLeod is a CodeRedTO cofounder and ExecutiveDirector and has explored transit systems in 25 cities worldwidein ten countries and on three continents So far By day he runs anationwide technical team at a Canadian customer intelligencesoftware company
Patricia Wood is Professor of Geography and co-founder of theCity Institute at York University She has particular interests indemocratic practices and peoplersquos mobility She is also an urbanaffairs columnist for Spacingca
Matthew Whittier is a graduate of Queens University inMechanical Engineering who has worked in renewable energyand whose interest in urban planning and transportationbrought him into this project
Benjamin Wert works in arts administration and has a keeninterest in municipal affairs His favourite transit experiencesinclude riding every L line in Chicago from end to end goingacross Torontorsquos Price Edward Viaduct at twilight and using theRoosevelt Island tramway
Acknowledgements
This report would not exist without the efforts of dedicated TTCCity of Toronto and Metrolinx employees and transit-involvedteams across North America bringing safe and reliable publictransit to residents each day under (as this report shows)significantly challenging variations in funding networkresilience and governmental accountability
Mixed Signals 2018
Executive Summary
This report compares Toronto to similar local andcommuter rail transit systems in several cities in Canadaand the United States examining specifics of fares fundingnetwork coverage and governance The goal of thecomparisons is to see what Toronto is doing well and how itcould do better
Transit networks are highly complex and dynamic systemsWhile there is no perfect or universal model there isalways something to learn from how other cities build andmanage transit This report finds that Toronto is laggingbehind other comparator cities in key ways whileoutperforming in others Any changes to Torontorsquos regionaltransit network structures must be considered on the basisof both transparency and local accountability
Transit systems in Asia and Europe have impressiveachievements but they emerge from different political andgeographical environments Similarly New York Cityrsquossubway comes from an entirely different time period andstarting point Comparing Torontorsquos transit with othersystems in Canada and the United States shows us what isrealistic in the North American context
Given our unique and vulnerable position in terms offunding structures network design and expansion choicesthis report finds specific investment goals desirable toprotect the future of public transit in Toronto ◼
Toronto hashellip
bull 2nd-Highest public transit ridership level in NAbull 2nd-Highest public transit commuter mode share in NAbull Strong suburban coverage and service levels
Toronto needshellip
bull An improved funding model to address low subsidy level and lack of dedicated revenue streams
bull A less-politicized more resilient governance structurebull More complexity in its rapid transit networkbull Less reliance on tunneled infrastructure in the current
limited funding environmentbull A more accessible monthly pass
CodeRedTO recommends these immediate investments
bull Add new predictable sustainable revenuebull Add prioritized surface transit lanes on both
inner core and suburban avenuesbull Reduce overall cost and early commitment
requirements for monthly passes
CodeRedTO recommends these longer-term goals
bull Create new city-centred but regionally-collaborative governance structures
bull Implement regional fare integration which builds on the cityrsquos successful no-zone flat fare structure
bull Implement regional network integration only where it can build increased ridership and mode share
1
Mixed Signals 2018
Comparator City Selection
City Pop
Urban Area
HeavyRail
Rail in Exclusive
ROW
Rail in Non-Exclusive
ROW
Regional Rail Service
Multi-Mode and
Multi-Line
Fare Card
System
Rail Bus Parking andhellip
New York City MTA 86m 203m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Los Angeles Metro 41m 133m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Toronto TTC 28m 72m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Chicago CTA 27m 95m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston Metro 22m 68m ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal STM 18m 41m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ On-call Taxibus
Philadelphia SEPTA 16m 61m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
San Diego MTS 14m 31m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dallas DART 13m 74m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ On-call Taxibus
Calgary Transit 12m 14m ◼ ◼
Washington DC Metro 07m 61m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Boston MBTA 07m 47m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ Ferries
Vancouver Translink 06m 25m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ Ferries
Regardless of criteria any selection of citieswill have faults and negative effects on thecomparison itself In this report an attemptwas made to provide a reasonable breadth ofcomparisons across city and urban areapopulations transit network complexity andmodes and relevance to Toronto
While a comparison to New York Cityrsquos iconicand extensive subway system is seeminglyunavoidable in Toronto media and at CityCouncil it is inappropriate for this report Thisarea has an urban area population of overthree times that of the GTA and a heavy railnetwork which is multiple decades older
By contrast Calgaryrsquos network consists of asingle transit mode and features no regionalcommuter rail nor a modern fare card
Cities such as Philadelphia San Diego andDallas have relevant network structures for thecurious transit policy researcher but were notincluded in this report
2
Mixed Signals 2018
Fare StructuresCommonalities
bull TTC fares have risen far above the rate of inflation over the last twenty years
bull A single fare zone for the core urban area often across multiple modes
bull No fare capping option for the core urban transit system
bull Little regional fare integration
Differencesbull TTC the only agency examined
with an annual pass option disproportionately benefiting higher-income riders
bull TTC the only agency examined required to cover over two-thirds of its operating expenses from the farebox
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit faresCosts passes structures and even whether to charge at all varywidely around the world but within North America we find similarfares structures and a remarkable continent-wide conclusion thatpublic transit agencies shall charge for their service
The mobility options provided to residents are part of a cityrsquosdemocratic practice As we examine the costs to riders we shouldbe thinking about how to more efficiently provide more service tomore residents and recognize the diversity of needs and paymentcapacity It is also key to create a sustainable model to ensure long-term mobility within our cities◼
Our report found Torontorsquos transit fares and goalscontrast with other cities in key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has broadly-typical public transit fares with acash fare of $325 Canadian close to or matchingMontreal Boston Chicago and comparable toboth Vancouver and Washington DC
All comparator city fares sit within the $160-$325 CAD range for the single zone or the corezone and up to around $780 CAD at peak for thedistance-based and zone-based systems Theregional commuter rail systems typically haveseparate fare systems rarely integrated with thecore local agency with exclusively distance-basedfares
Torontorsquos daily and weekly pass cost levelsapproach the median among the cities reviewedBut what sets it apart are its continentally-uniqueannual adult Metropass and a significantly morecostly monthly pass All passes perform a some-
what contradictory role for transit riders as theyare designed to provide a discount for higher-volume use but are usually only available to thosewith sufficient disposable income to pre-pay forthe pass in expectation of benefiting later
One technology tool available with electronic farecards is fare capping which automatically reducesor eliminates the incremental cost to the rideronce a certain threshold has been reached GOTransit provides this in lieu of monthly passes viathe PRESTO card also being adopted by the TTCHowever fare capping remains rare even aselectronic fare cards proliferate due to perceivedfare revenue risk Some systems ldquosplit thedifferencerdquo such as Houston Metrorsquos requirementof a custom card in order to gain access tocapping
Common to nearly all the reviewed cities is asingle flat fare an international best practice fortransit access which provides dramaticallydifferent travel distances for the same fare In an
urban area with expensive core housing this canbe a form of travel subsidy from short-trip ridersto long-trip riders
A remarkable commonality across nearly everycity studied is the magnitude of fare increases inevery city outside Los Angeles transit fares rosefaster than inflation over the last twenty yearssometimes dramatically The TTCrsquos adult cash farerose 29 faster than inflation from 1998-2018
The most alarming discovery in CodeRedTOrsquosresearch has been that while all public transitagencies worldwide contribute to operatingexpenses via the farebox the TTC relies on faresfor two-thirds of its base operating budget alevel not seen in any other city in North America
When combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
3
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto (TTC)
$325 cash$300 fare card token
Transfer Rules Free transfers up to two hours in any direction with fare card
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
GO commuter railZone fares $477-$1850 monthly cap
Daily Pass $1250 (385x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $4375 (135x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $14625 (45x cash fare)
Annual Pass $160800 (4123x cash fare monthly)
20-year Fare Δ +8750 ($175 cash in 1998)
+8750
+4524
+4812
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
TTC Fare Canada Inflation Ontario Inflation
4
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston (MBTA)
$275 cash$225 fare card
Transfer Rules Rail to rail freeFirst transfer to other modes discounted within first two hours only
Fare Zones Single zone fare varies by mode
Separate Regional Fares
MBTA Commuter RailZone fares $225-$1250
Daily Pass $1200 (44x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2125 (77x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $8450 (307x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +22353 ($085 cash in 1998)
+22353
+5409
+5997
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
MBTA Fare USA Inflation Boston Inflation
5
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago (CTA)
$300 cash$250 fare card
Transfer Rules $025 for train or up to $030 for bus for up to 2 additional rides within 2 hours Only available using fare card
Fare Zones Single zone fare varies by mode Airport service +$500
Separate Regional Fares
Metra Commuter RailZone fares $4-$825
Daily Pass $1000 (33x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $3300 (11x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $10500 (35x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +6667 ($150 cash in 1998)
+6667
+5409
+4457
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
CTA Fare USA Inflation Chicago Inflation
6
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston (Metro)
$125 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules Free transfers up to three hours in any direction with fare card
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
Express Park amp Ride bus serviceZone fares $200-$450
Daily Pass $300 (24x cash fare)
Monthly Pass na
Weekly Pass na
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +15000 ($050 cash in 1998)
+15000
+5409
+5491
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Metro Fare USA Inflation Houston Inflation
7
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles (Metro)
$175 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules $050 for transfer to a non-Metro bus within 2 hours
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
Metrolink Commuter RailZone fares $275-$2750
Daily Pass $700 (4x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2500 (143x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $10000 (571x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +6360 ($135 cash in 1998)
+2963
+5409
+6360
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
LA Metro Fare USA Inflation LA Inflation
8
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal (STM)
$325 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules Single continuous trip (multi-vehicle)
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
EXO commuter bus and railZone fares $475-$975
Daily Pass $1000 (31x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2625 (81x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $8500 (262x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +7568 ($185 cash in 1998)
+7568
+4524
+3963
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
STM Fare Canada Inflation Quebec Inflation
9
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver (Translink)
$295-$570 cash (3 zones)$230-$440 fare card
Transfer Rules Free transfers for 90 minutes
Fare Zones 3 zones airport exit +$500
Separate Regional Fares
West Coast Express Commuter RailZone fares $625-$1245
Daily Pass $1025 (54x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass na
Monthly Pass $9500 (322x 1-zone cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +9667 ($150 cash in 1998)
+9667
+4524
+3608
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Translink Fare Canada Inflation BC Inflation
10
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC (WMATA)
$225-$600 cash or fare card (distance-based in peak hours)
Transfer Rules Train one single ride no transferBus free transfers up to two hours$050 discount if combining modes
Fare Zones Combination of distance and zone
Separate Regional Fares
MARC and VRE Commuter RailZone fares $340-$1300
Daily Pass $1475 (66x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass $6000 (267x 1-zone cash fare)
Monthly Pass na
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +10455 ($110 cash in 1998)
+10455
+5409
+6001
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Base Fare USA Inflation Wash DC Inflation
11
Mixed Signals 2018
Base Cash Fare vs Inflation 1998-2018
USA Inflation +5409
Canada Inflation +4524
Boston MBTA +22353
Chicago CTA +6667
Houston Metro +15000
LA Metro +2963
Montreal STM +7568
Vancouver Translink +9667Wash DC Metro +10455
1998 2018
Toronto TTC +8750
12
Mixed Signals 2018
Pass MultipliersNumber of Cash Fares to Match Pass Cost
66
44
40
33
24
39
31
54
Wash DC Metro
Boston MBTA
LA Metro
Chicago CTA
Houston Metro
Toronto TTC
Montreal STM
Vancouver Translink
Daily
267
77
143
110
135
81
Weekly(where available)
307
571
350
450
262
322
Monthly(where available)
13
Mixed Signals 2018
Network DesignCommonalities
bull Strong ridership and mode share similar to other Canadian cities
bull Multi-decade history brings expansion goals into conflict with modern standards
bull Nearly all cities have regional commuter rail in addition to urban core service
Differencesbull 2nd-highest proportion of
tunneled transit increases costs and construction time
bull Lower number of lines reduces coverage and network benefits
bull Choosing extensions over new lines means small issues create large interruptions
There is no perfect or universal structure for the public transitnetwork But there are commonalities among many cities andlessons to be learned Network mobility and resilience is a keyfactor in increased commuter mode share and as we design ournetworks we should be thinking about how to address unservedneeds how to create an adaptable travel grid and how to benefitmost from network effects These are all essential characteristics ofa strong transit network
Political decisions affecting the efficiency of the network haveripple effects which impact riders across the network changingcommuter mode share non-peak ridership decisions and systemrevenue◼
A strong transit network serves a diversity ofdestinations and a diversity of riders There aremany aspects to the development of a networkwith good connectivity Simply put the networkmust connect to places people want to go
All cities in the study have multiple-mode localtransit and all offer regional rail except HoustonEvery agency examined has responsibility forsome private vehicle parking lots alongside theexpected bus and rail services while a few addon-call services ferries and even bike share
It is popular to contrast Torontorsquos subway networkwith New York Paris Chicago or Boston butToronto started building its rail network decadeslater Torontorsquos early investments have givenToronto a good foundation but it is disingenuousto contrast these cities without noting that theNew York City subway was essentially completebefore Toronto even started
Torontorsquos GO Train network provides wide
regional coverage and has built ridershipexceeding most other cities especially along itshigher-capacity Lakeshore lines
Torontorsquos local rail network is less complex withless coverage than many cities Downtown corestreetcar lines improve the network greatly butat low resilience due to mixed-traffic streetdesign When contrasted with every other city inthe study it is clear Torontorsquos heavy reliance ontwo very long rail lines is unusual Morecomplexity allows for greater networkconnectivity and adaptability The EglintonCrosstown LRT line will strengthen Torontorsquosnetwork considerably
Torontorsquos local transit has the highest ridershipof all systems in the study Unlike many othercities the most common mode of transit is thebus whose network connects well to the subwaysystem Indeed Torontorsquos subway is only busybecause of busy feeder buses given low densitynear most stations
It is notable that some of the busiest publictransit routes are found in suburban areas ofToronto (such as along Finch Avenue) Thisdemonstrates that it is possible to build strongtransit ridership in areas with lower density thatthe city core
Toronto also has the highest rate of transit use asa proportion of commuters of all metro areas inthe study This success is driven by transit use inand into Toronto Local transit use in cities outsideToronto remains quite low While it has a muchlower ridership that Toronto local transitsuburban use of regional rail is strong along thelakeshore
Good network infrastructure lays the foundationfor strong ridership but service frequency andreliability are more significant for building andretaining ridership in each corridor
14
Mixed Signals 2018
TerminologyTerms Description
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) High-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-way often but not always tunneled or elevated Example the TTC subway is Heavy Rail under North American terminology
Exclusive ROW LightIntermediate Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-wayExample the TTC ldquoScarborough RTrdquo is intermediate capacity and once in operation the Eglinton Crosstown will be over 50 exclusive right-of-way
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixture of rights-of-way including tunneled elevated and at-gradeExample the TTC 501 Queen streetcar at High Park operates in exclusive sections which are broken up by mixed-traffic intersections
Non-exclusive ROW (Streetcar Tram) Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixed-traffic environment subject to blockage by non-transit vehiclesExample the TTC 504 King streetcar shares its lane with passenger cars for almost its entire route despite being Torontorsquos single busiest surface transit line
Regional Rail Higher-speed heavy rail operating in an exclusive right-of-way at greater distances often connecting disparate citiesExample Metrolinx GO Transit
Unlinked Trips A single boarding of a single vehicleExample busgt subway gt bus = 3 unlinked trips
Linked Trips A series of boardings required to complete a single continuous journeyExample bus gt subway gt bus = 1 linked trip
15
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
726 km(792 in late 2020rsquos)
70(71 in late 2020rsquos)
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
64 km(164 in ~2022)
6(19 in ~2022)
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
232 km(432 in ~2022)
68(98 in ~2022)
Non-exclusive ROW(Streetcar Tram)
83 km ~300
Regional Rail (non-TTC)
452 km 66
Construction Note Lines 5 amp 6 scheduled to begin service in 2021-22 Line 3 to close in late 2020rsquos as new subway extension with one stop opens serving busiest Line 3 stop
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
TTC Heavy RailTTC Intermediate
TTC StreetcarsTTC BusGO Rail
Wheel-Trans
87730037800
2878001406800
20420013800
TTC Ridership (2017) 856953100 (unlinked trips APTA)535000000 (linked rides TTC)
16
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
681 km 62
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
37 km(439 in ~2022)
66(73 in ~2022)
Regional Rail 641 km 137
Construction Note Green Line light rail extension in progress
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Heavy RailLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
321000204000233100123100
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 387629600 (unlinked trips)
17
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 169 km 146
Regional Rail (non-CTA) 785 km 242
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
CTA Heavy RailCTA Bus
Metra Commuter RailPACE ParaTransit
729200805500285400
17600
CTA Ridership (2017 APTA) 479435200 (unlinked trips)
18
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Mode Length StationsStops
Semi-exclusive ROWLight Rail
365 km 39
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Light RailBus
ParaTransit
61100222800
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 88799300 (unlinked trips)
19
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
316 km 22
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
313 km 14
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
1101 km(1238 in
~2019)
68(76 in
~2019)
Regional Rail(non-Metro)
859 km 61
Construction Note New CrenshawLAX Light Rail line on west side of city scheduled to open in 2019
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
138500219900896400
3780010800
Metro Ridership (2017 APTA)
397489400 (unlinked trips)
20
Mixed Signals 2018
MontrealMode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 692 km 68
Regional Rail (non-STM) 2564 km 62
Construction Note Reacuteseau express meacutetropolitain (REM) light rail lines in the centre north and west of city scheduled to begin service in 2021
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayBus
Commuter RailParaTransit
1298400917000
8490013900
Ridership (2017 APTA) 643087600 (unlinked trips)
21
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
About CodeRedTO
CodeRedTO is a consciously non-partisan volunteer-run localand regional transit advocate We promote more and bettertransit options for more residents using all availabletechnologies where appropriate creating better information forbetter decision-making completion of efficient and approvedplans and support increased predictable funding for publictransit expansion and operation
CodeRedTO is funded through personal donations and grantsfrom non-profit agencies and foundations and directed by anadvisory board with no financial interest in any transportationprojects or agencies
CodeRedTO was founded in 2011
infoCodeRedTOcom
CodeRedTO
CodeRedTO
Report Authors amp Contributors
Cameron MacLeod is a CodeRedTO cofounder and ExecutiveDirector and has explored transit systems in 25 cities worldwidein ten countries and on three continents So far By day he runs anationwide technical team at a Canadian customer intelligencesoftware company
Patricia Wood is Professor of Geography and co-founder of theCity Institute at York University She has particular interests indemocratic practices and peoplersquos mobility She is also an urbanaffairs columnist for Spacingca
Matthew Whittier is a graduate of Queens University inMechanical Engineering who has worked in renewable energyand whose interest in urban planning and transportationbrought him into this project
Benjamin Wert works in arts administration and has a keeninterest in municipal affairs His favourite transit experiencesinclude riding every L line in Chicago from end to end goingacross Torontorsquos Price Edward Viaduct at twilight and using theRoosevelt Island tramway
Acknowledgements
This report would not exist without the efforts of dedicated TTCCity of Toronto and Metrolinx employees and transit-involvedteams across North America bringing safe and reliable publictransit to residents each day under (as this report shows)significantly challenging variations in funding networkresilience and governmental accountability
Mixed Signals 2018
Executive Summary
This report compares Toronto to similar local andcommuter rail transit systems in several cities in Canadaand the United States examining specifics of fares fundingnetwork coverage and governance The goal of thecomparisons is to see what Toronto is doing well and how itcould do better
Transit networks are highly complex and dynamic systemsWhile there is no perfect or universal model there isalways something to learn from how other cities build andmanage transit This report finds that Toronto is laggingbehind other comparator cities in key ways whileoutperforming in others Any changes to Torontorsquos regionaltransit network structures must be considered on the basisof both transparency and local accountability
Transit systems in Asia and Europe have impressiveachievements but they emerge from different political andgeographical environments Similarly New York Cityrsquossubway comes from an entirely different time period andstarting point Comparing Torontorsquos transit with othersystems in Canada and the United States shows us what isrealistic in the North American context
Given our unique and vulnerable position in terms offunding structures network design and expansion choicesthis report finds specific investment goals desirable toprotect the future of public transit in Toronto ◼
Toronto hashellip
bull 2nd-Highest public transit ridership level in NAbull 2nd-Highest public transit commuter mode share in NAbull Strong suburban coverage and service levels
Toronto needshellip
bull An improved funding model to address low subsidy level and lack of dedicated revenue streams
bull A less-politicized more resilient governance structurebull More complexity in its rapid transit networkbull Less reliance on tunneled infrastructure in the current
limited funding environmentbull A more accessible monthly pass
CodeRedTO recommends these immediate investments
bull Add new predictable sustainable revenuebull Add prioritized surface transit lanes on both
inner core and suburban avenuesbull Reduce overall cost and early commitment
requirements for monthly passes
CodeRedTO recommends these longer-term goals
bull Create new city-centred but regionally-collaborative governance structures
bull Implement regional fare integration which builds on the cityrsquos successful no-zone flat fare structure
bull Implement regional network integration only where it can build increased ridership and mode share
1
Mixed Signals 2018
Comparator City Selection
City Pop
Urban Area
HeavyRail
Rail in Exclusive
ROW
Rail in Non-Exclusive
ROW
Regional Rail Service
Multi-Mode and
Multi-Line
Fare Card
System
Rail Bus Parking andhellip
New York City MTA 86m 203m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Los Angeles Metro 41m 133m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Toronto TTC 28m 72m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Chicago CTA 27m 95m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston Metro 22m 68m ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal STM 18m 41m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ On-call Taxibus
Philadelphia SEPTA 16m 61m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
San Diego MTS 14m 31m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dallas DART 13m 74m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ On-call Taxibus
Calgary Transit 12m 14m ◼ ◼
Washington DC Metro 07m 61m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Boston MBTA 07m 47m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ Ferries
Vancouver Translink 06m 25m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ Ferries
Regardless of criteria any selection of citieswill have faults and negative effects on thecomparison itself In this report an attemptwas made to provide a reasonable breadth ofcomparisons across city and urban areapopulations transit network complexity andmodes and relevance to Toronto
While a comparison to New York Cityrsquos iconicand extensive subway system is seeminglyunavoidable in Toronto media and at CityCouncil it is inappropriate for this report Thisarea has an urban area population of overthree times that of the GTA and a heavy railnetwork which is multiple decades older
By contrast Calgaryrsquos network consists of asingle transit mode and features no regionalcommuter rail nor a modern fare card
Cities such as Philadelphia San Diego andDallas have relevant network structures for thecurious transit policy researcher but were notincluded in this report
2
Mixed Signals 2018
Fare StructuresCommonalities
bull TTC fares have risen far above the rate of inflation over the last twenty years
bull A single fare zone for the core urban area often across multiple modes
bull No fare capping option for the core urban transit system
bull Little regional fare integration
Differencesbull TTC the only agency examined
with an annual pass option disproportionately benefiting higher-income riders
bull TTC the only agency examined required to cover over two-thirds of its operating expenses from the farebox
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit faresCosts passes structures and even whether to charge at all varywidely around the world but within North America we find similarfares structures and a remarkable continent-wide conclusion thatpublic transit agencies shall charge for their service
The mobility options provided to residents are part of a cityrsquosdemocratic practice As we examine the costs to riders we shouldbe thinking about how to more efficiently provide more service tomore residents and recognize the diversity of needs and paymentcapacity It is also key to create a sustainable model to ensure long-term mobility within our cities◼
Our report found Torontorsquos transit fares and goalscontrast with other cities in key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has broadly-typical public transit fares with acash fare of $325 Canadian close to or matchingMontreal Boston Chicago and comparable toboth Vancouver and Washington DC
All comparator city fares sit within the $160-$325 CAD range for the single zone or the corezone and up to around $780 CAD at peak for thedistance-based and zone-based systems Theregional commuter rail systems typically haveseparate fare systems rarely integrated with thecore local agency with exclusively distance-basedfares
Torontorsquos daily and weekly pass cost levelsapproach the median among the cities reviewedBut what sets it apart are its continentally-uniqueannual adult Metropass and a significantly morecostly monthly pass All passes perform a some-
what contradictory role for transit riders as theyare designed to provide a discount for higher-volume use but are usually only available to thosewith sufficient disposable income to pre-pay forthe pass in expectation of benefiting later
One technology tool available with electronic farecards is fare capping which automatically reducesor eliminates the incremental cost to the rideronce a certain threshold has been reached GOTransit provides this in lieu of monthly passes viathe PRESTO card also being adopted by the TTCHowever fare capping remains rare even aselectronic fare cards proliferate due to perceivedfare revenue risk Some systems ldquosplit thedifferencerdquo such as Houston Metrorsquos requirementof a custom card in order to gain access tocapping
Common to nearly all the reviewed cities is asingle flat fare an international best practice fortransit access which provides dramaticallydifferent travel distances for the same fare In an
urban area with expensive core housing this canbe a form of travel subsidy from short-trip ridersto long-trip riders
A remarkable commonality across nearly everycity studied is the magnitude of fare increases inevery city outside Los Angeles transit fares rosefaster than inflation over the last twenty yearssometimes dramatically The TTCrsquos adult cash farerose 29 faster than inflation from 1998-2018
The most alarming discovery in CodeRedTOrsquosresearch has been that while all public transitagencies worldwide contribute to operatingexpenses via the farebox the TTC relies on faresfor two-thirds of its base operating budget alevel not seen in any other city in North America
When combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
3
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto (TTC)
$325 cash$300 fare card token
Transfer Rules Free transfers up to two hours in any direction with fare card
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
GO commuter railZone fares $477-$1850 monthly cap
Daily Pass $1250 (385x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $4375 (135x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $14625 (45x cash fare)
Annual Pass $160800 (4123x cash fare monthly)
20-year Fare Δ +8750 ($175 cash in 1998)
+8750
+4524
+4812
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
TTC Fare Canada Inflation Ontario Inflation
4
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston (MBTA)
$275 cash$225 fare card
Transfer Rules Rail to rail freeFirst transfer to other modes discounted within first two hours only
Fare Zones Single zone fare varies by mode
Separate Regional Fares
MBTA Commuter RailZone fares $225-$1250
Daily Pass $1200 (44x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2125 (77x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $8450 (307x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +22353 ($085 cash in 1998)
+22353
+5409
+5997
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
MBTA Fare USA Inflation Boston Inflation
5
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago (CTA)
$300 cash$250 fare card
Transfer Rules $025 for train or up to $030 for bus for up to 2 additional rides within 2 hours Only available using fare card
Fare Zones Single zone fare varies by mode Airport service +$500
Separate Regional Fares
Metra Commuter RailZone fares $4-$825
Daily Pass $1000 (33x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $3300 (11x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $10500 (35x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +6667 ($150 cash in 1998)
+6667
+5409
+4457
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
CTA Fare USA Inflation Chicago Inflation
6
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston (Metro)
$125 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules Free transfers up to three hours in any direction with fare card
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
Express Park amp Ride bus serviceZone fares $200-$450
Daily Pass $300 (24x cash fare)
Monthly Pass na
Weekly Pass na
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +15000 ($050 cash in 1998)
+15000
+5409
+5491
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Metro Fare USA Inflation Houston Inflation
7
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles (Metro)
$175 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules $050 for transfer to a non-Metro bus within 2 hours
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
Metrolink Commuter RailZone fares $275-$2750
Daily Pass $700 (4x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2500 (143x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $10000 (571x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +6360 ($135 cash in 1998)
+2963
+5409
+6360
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
LA Metro Fare USA Inflation LA Inflation
8
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal (STM)
$325 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules Single continuous trip (multi-vehicle)
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
EXO commuter bus and railZone fares $475-$975
Daily Pass $1000 (31x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2625 (81x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $8500 (262x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +7568 ($185 cash in 1998)
+7568
+4524
+3963
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
STM Fare Canada Inflation Quebec Inflation
9
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver (Translink)
$295-$570 cash (3 zones)$230-$440 fare card
Transfer Rules Free transfers for 90 minutes
Fare Zones 3 zones airport exit +$500
Separate Regional Fares
West Coast Express Commuter RailZone fares $625-$1245
Daily Pass $1025 (54x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass na
Monthly Pass $9500 (322x 1-zone cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +9667 ($150 cash in 1998)
+9667
+4524
+3608
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Translink Fare Canada Inflation BC Inflation
10
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC (WMATA)
$225-$600 cash or fare card (distance-based in peak hours)
Transfer Rules Train one single ride no transferBus free transfers up to two hours$050 discount if combining modes
Fare Zones Combination of distance and zone
Separate Regional Fares
MARC and VRE Commuter RailZone fares $340-$1300
Daily Pass $1475 (66x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass $6000 (267x 1-zone cash fare)
Monthly Pass na
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +10455 ($110 cash in 1998)
+10455
+5409
+6001
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Base Fare USA Inflation Wash DC Inflation
11
Mixed Signals 2018
Base Cash Fare vs Inflation 1998-2018
USA Inflation +5409
Canada Inflation +4524
Boston MBTA +22353
Chicago CTA +6667
Houston Metro +15000
LA Metro +2963
Montreal STM +7568
Vancouver Translink +9667Wash DC Metro +10455
1998 2018
Toronto TTC +8750
12
Mixed Signals 2018
Pass MultipliersNumber of Cash Fares to Match Pass Cost
66
44
40
33
24
39
31
54
Wash DC Metro
Boston MBTA
LA Metro
Chicago CTA
Houston Metro
Toronto TTC
Montreal STM
Vancouver Translink
Daily
267
77
143
110
135
81
Weekly(where available)
307
571
350
450
262
322
Monthly(where available)
13
Mixed Signals 2018
Network DesignCommonalities
bull Strong ridership and mode share similar to other Canadian cities
bull Multi-decade history brings expansion goals into conflict with modern standards
bull Nearly all cities have regional commuter rail in addition to urban core service
Differencesbull 2nd-highest proportion of
tunneled transit increases costs and construction time
bull Lower number of lines reduces coverage and network benefits
bull Choosing extensions over new lines means small issues create large interruptions
There is no perfect or universal structure for the public transitnetwork But there are commonalities among many cities andlessons to be learned Network mobility and resilience is a keyfactor in increased commuter mode share and as we design ournetworks we should be thinking about how to address unservedneeds how to create an adaptable travel grid and how to benefitmost from network effects These are all essential characteristics ofa strong transit network
Political decisions affecting the efficiency of the network haveripple effects which impact riders across the network changingcommuter mode share non-peak ridership decisions and systemrevenue◼
A strong transit network serves a diversity ofdestinations and a diversity of riders There aremany aspects to the development of a networkwith good connectivity Simply put the networkmust connect to places people want to go
All cities in the study have multiple-mode localtransit and all offer regional rail except HoustonEvery agency examined has responsibility forsome private vehicle parking lots alongside theexpected bus and rail services while a few addon-call services ferries and even bike share
It is popular to contrast Torontorsquos subway networkwith New York Paris Chicago or Boston butToronto started building its rail network decadeslater Torontorsquos early investments have givenToronto a good foundation but it is disingenuousto contrast these cities without noting that theNew York City subway was essentially completebefore Toronto even started
Torontorsquos GO Train network provides wide
regional coverage and has built ridershipexceeding most other cities especially along itshigher-capacity Lakeshore lines
Torontorsquos local rail network is less complex withless coverage than many cities Downtown corestreetcar lines improve the network greatly butat low resilience due to mixed-traffic streetdesign When contrasted with every other city inthe study it is clear Torontorsquos heavy reliance ontwo very long rail lines is unusual Morecomplexity allows for greater networkconnectivity and adaptability The EglintonCrosstown LRT line will strengthen Torontorsquosnetwork considerably
Torontorsquos local transit has the highest ridershipof all systems in the study Unlike many othercities the most common mode of transit is thebus whose network connects well to the subwaysystem Indeed Torontorsquos subway is only busybecause of busy feeder buses given low densitynear most stations
It is notable that some of the busiest publictransit routes are found in suburban areas ofToronto (such as along Finch Avenue) Thisdemonstrates that it is possible to build strongtransit ridership in areas with lower density thatthe city core
Toronto also has the highest rate of transit use asa proportion of commuters of all metro areas inthe study This success is driven by transit use inand into Toronto Local transit use in cities outsideToronto remains quite low While it has a muchlower ridership that Toronto local transitsuburban use of regional rail is strong along thelakeshore
Good network infrastructure lays the foundationfor strong ridership but service frequency andreliability are more significant for building andretaining ridership in each corridor
14
Mixed Signals 2018
TerminologyTerms Description
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) High-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-way often but not always tunneled or elevated Example the TTC subway is Heavy Rail under North American terminology
Exclusive ROW LightIntermediate Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-wayExample the TTC ldquoScarborough RTrdquo is intermediate capacity and once in operation the Eglinton Crosstown will be over 50 exclusive right-of-way
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixture of rights-of-way including tunneled elevated and at-gradeExample the TTC 501 Queen streetcar at High Park operates in exclusive sections which are broken up by mixed-traffic intersections
Non-exclusive ROW (Streetcar Tram) Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixed-traffic environment subject to blockage by non-transit vehiclesExample the TTC 504 King streetcar shares its lane with passenger cars for almost its entire route despite being Torontorsquos single busiest surface transit line
Regional Rail Higher-speed heavy rail operating in an exclusive right-of-way at greater distances often connecting disparate citiesExample Metrolinx GO Transit
Unlinked Trips A single boarding of a single vehicleExample busgt subway gt bus = 3 unlinked trips
Linked Trips A series of boardings required to complete a single continuous journeyExample bus gt subway gt bus = 1 linked trip
15
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
726 km(792 in late 2020rsquos)
70(71 in late 2020rsquos)
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
64 km(164 in ~2022)
6(19 in ~2022)
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
232 km(432 in ~2022)
68(98 in ~2022)
Non-exclusive ROW(Streetcar Tram)
83 km ~300
Regional Rail (non-TTC)
452 km 66
Construction Note Lines 5 amp 6 scheduled to begin service in 2021-22 Line 3 to close in late 2020rsquos as new subway extension with one stop opens serving busiest Line 3 stop
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
TTC Heavy RailTTC Intermediate
TTC StreetcarsTTC BusGO Rail
Wheel-Trans
87730037800
2878001406800
20420013800
TTC Ridership (2017) 856953100 (unlinked trips APTA)535000000 (linked rides TTC)
16
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
681 km 62
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
37 km(439 in ~2022)
66(73 in ~2022)
Regional Rail 641 km 137
Construction Note Green Line light rail extension in progress
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Heavy RailLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
321000204000233100123100
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 387629600 (unlinked trips)
17
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 169 km 146
Regional Rail (non-CTA) 785 km 242
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
CTA Heavy RailCTA Bus
Metra Commuter RailPACE ParaTransit
729200805500285400
17600
CTA Ridership (2017 APTA) 479435200 (unlinked trips)
18
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Mode Length StationsStops
Semi-exclusive ROWLight Rail
365 km 39
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Light RailBus
ParaTransit
61100222800
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 88799300 (unlinked trips)
19
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
316 km 22
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
313 km 14
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
1101 km(1238 in
~2019)
68(76 in
~2019)
Regional Rail(non-Metro)
859 km 61
Construction Note New CrenshawLAX Light Rail line on west side of city scheduled to open in 2019
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
138500219900896400
3780010800
Metro Ridership (2017 APTA)
397489400 (unlinked trips)
20
Mixed Signals 2018
MontrealMode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 692 km 68
Regional Rail (non-STM) 2564 km 62
Construction Note Reacuteseau express meacutetropolitain (REM) light rail lines in the centre north and west of city scheduled to begin service in 2021
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayBus
Commuter RailParaTransit
1298400917000
8490013900
Ridership (2017 APTA) 643087600 (unlinked trips)
21
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Executive Summary
This report compares Toronto to similar local andcommuter rail transit systems in several cities in Canadaand the United States examining specifics of fares fundingnetwork coverage and governance The goal of thecomparisons is to see what Toronto is doing well and how itcould do better
Transit networks are highly complex and dynamic systemsWhile there is no perfect or universal model there isalways something to learn from how other cities build andmanage transit This report finds that Toronto is laggingbehind other comparator cities in key ways whileoutperforming in others Any changes to Torontorsquos regionaltransit network structures must be considered on the basisof both transparency and local accountability
Transit systems in Asia and Europe have impressiveachievements but they emerge from different political andgeographical environments Similarly New York Cityrsquossubway comes from an entirely different time period andstarting point Comparing Torontorsquos transit with othersystems in Canada and the United States shows us what isrealistic in the North American context
Given our unique and vulnerable position in terms offunding structures network design and expansion choicesthis report finds specific investment goals desirable toprotect the future of public transit in Toronto ◼
Toronto hashellip
bull 2nd-Highest public transit ridership level in NAbull 2nd-Highest public transit commuter mode share in NAbull Strong suburban coverage and service levels
Toronto needshellip
bull An improved funding model to address low subsidy level and lack of dedicated revenue streams
bull A less-politicized more resilient governance structurebull More complexity in its rapid transit networkbull Less reliance on tunneled infrastructure in the current
limited funding environmentbull A more accessible monthly pass
CodeRedTO recommends these immediate investments
bull Add new predictable sustainable revenuebull Add prioritized surface transit lanes on both
inner core and suburban avenuesbull Reduce overall cost and early commitment
requirements for monthly passes
CodeRedTO recommends these longer-term goals
bull Create new city-centred but regionally-collaborative governance structures
bull Implement regional fare integration which builds on the cityrsquos successful no-zone flat fare structure
bull Implement regional network integration only where it can build increased ridership and mode share
1
Mixed Signals 2018
Comparator City Selection
City Pop
Urban Area
HeavyRail
Rail in Exclusive
ROW
Rail in Non-Exclusive
ROW
Regional Rail Service
Multi-Mode and
Multi-Line
Fare Card
System
Rail Bus Parking andhellip
New York City MTA 86m 203m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Los Angeles Metro 41m 133m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Toronto TTC 28m 72m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Chicago CTA 27m 95m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston Metro 22m 68m ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal STM 18m 41m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ On-call Taxibus
Philadelphia SEPTA 16m 61m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
San Diego MTS 14m 31m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dallas DART 13m 74m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ On-call Taxibus
Calgary Transit 12m 14m ◼ ◼
Washington DC Metro 07m 61m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Boston MBTA 07m 47m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ Ferries
Vancouver Translink 06m 25m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ Ferries
Regardless of criteria any selection of citieswill have faults and negative effects on thecomparison itself In this report an attemptwas made to provide a reasonable breadth ofcomparisons across city and urban areapopulations transit network complexity andmodes and relevance to Toronto
While a comparison to New York Cityrsquos iconicand extensive subway system is seeminglyunavoidable in Toronto media and at CityCouncil it is inappropriate for this report Thisarea has an urban area population of overthree times that of the GTA and a heavy railnetwork which is multiple decades older
By contrast Calgaryrsquos network consists of asingle transit mode and features no regionalcommuter rail nor a modern fare card
Cities such as Philadelphia San Diego andDallas have relevant network structures for thecurious transit policy researcher but were notincluded in this report
2
Mixed Signals 2018
Fare StructuresCommonalities
bull TTC fares have risen far above the rate of inflation over the last twenty years
bull A single fare zone for the core urban area often across multiple modes
bull No fare capping option for the core urban transit system
bull Little regional fare integration
Differencesbull TTC the only agency examined
with an annual pass option disproportionately benefiting higher-income riders
bull TTC the only agency examined required to cover over two-thirds of its operating expenses from the farebox
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit faresCosts passes structures and even whether to charge at all varywidely around the world but within North America we find similarfares structures and a remarkable continent-wide conclusion thatpublic transit agencies shall charge for their service
The mobility options provided to residents are part of a cityrsquosdemocratic practice As we examine the costs to riders we shouldbe thinking about how to more efficiently provide more service tomore residents and recognize the diversity of needs and paymentcapacity It is also key to create a sustainable model to ensure long-term mobility within our cities◼
Our report found Torontorsquos transit fares and goalscontrast with other cities in key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has broadly-typical public transit fares with acash fare of $325 Canadian close to or matchingMontreal Boston Chicago and comparable toboth Vancouver and Washington DC
All comparator city fares sit within the $160-$325 CAD range for the single zone or the corezone and up to around $780 CAD at peak for thedistance-based and zone-based systems Theregional commuter rail systems typically haveseparate fare systems rarely integrated with thecore local agency with exclusively distance-basedfares
Torontorsquos daily and weekly pass cost levelsapproach the median among the cities reviewedBut what sets it apart are its continentally-uniqueannual adult Metropass and a significantly morecostly monthly pass All passes perform a some-
what contradictory role for transit riders as theyare designed to provide a discount for higher-volume use but are usually only available to thosewith sufficient disposable income to pre-pay forthe pass in expectation of benefiting later
One technology tool available with electronic farecards is fare capping which automatically reducesor eliminates the incremental cost to the rideronce a certain threshold has been reached GOTransit provides this in lieu of monthly passes viathe PRESTO card also being adopted by the TTCHowever fare capping remains rare even aselectronic fare cards proliferate due to perceivedfare revenue risk Some systems ldquosplit thedifferencerdquo such as Houston Metrorsquos requirementof a custom card in order to gain access tocapping
Common to nearly all the reviewed cities is asingle flat fare an international best practice fortransit access which provides dramaticallydifferent travel distances for the same fare In an
urban area with expensive core housing this canbe a form of travel subsidy from short-trip ridersto long-trip riders
A remarkable commonality across nearly everycity studied is the magnitude of fare increases inevery city outside Los Angeles transit fares rosefaster than inflation over the last twenty yearssometimes dramatically The TTCrsquos adult cash farerose 29 faster than inflation from 1998-2018
The most alarming discovery in CodeRedTOrsquosresearch has been that while all public transitagencies worldwide contribute to operatingexpenses via the farebox the TTC relies on faresfor two-thirds of its base operating budget alevel not seen in any other city in North America
When combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
3
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto (TTC)
$325 cash$300 fare card token
Transfer Rules Free transfers up to two hours in any direction with fare card
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
GO commuter railZone fares $477-$1850 monthly cap
Daily Pass $1250 (385x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $4375 (135x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $14625 (45x cash fare)
Annual Pass $160800 (4123x cash fare monthly)
20-year Fare Δ +8750 ($175 cash in 1998)
+8750
+4524
+4812
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
TTC Fare Canada Inflation Ontario Inflation
4
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston (MBTA)
$275 cash$225 fare card
Transfer Rules Rail to rail freeFirst transfer to other modes discounted within first two hours only
Fare Zones Single zone fare varies by mode
Separate Regional Fares
MBTA Commuter RailZone fares $225-$1250
Daily Pass $1200 (44x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2125 (77x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $8450 (307x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +22353 ($085 cash in 1998)
+22353
+5409
+5997
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
MBTA Fare USA Inflation Boston Inflation
5
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago (CTA)
$300 cash$250 fare card
Transfer Rules $025 for train or up to $030 for bus for up to 2 additional rides within 2 hours Only available using fare card
Fare Zones Single zone fare varies by mode Airport service +$500
Separate Regional Fares
Metra Commuter RailZone fares $4-$825
Daily Pass $1000 (33x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $3300 (11x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $10500 (35x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +6667 ($150 cash in 1998)
+6667
+5409
+4457
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
CTA Fare USA Inflation Chicago Inflation
6
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston (Metro)
$125 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules Free transfers up to three hours in any direction with fare card
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
Express Park amp Ride bus serviceZone fares $200-$450
Daily Pass $300 (24x cash fare)
Monthly Pass na
Weekly Pass na
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +15000 ($050 cash in 1998)
+15000
+5409
+5491
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Metro Fare USA Inflation Houston Inflation
7
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles (Metro)
$175 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules $050 for transfer to a non-Metro bus within 2 hours
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
Metrolink Commuter RailZone fares $275-$2750
Daily Pass $700 (4x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2500 (143x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $10000 (571x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +6360 ($135 cash in 1998)
+2963
+5409
+6360
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
LA Metro Fare USA Inflation LA Inflation
8
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal (STM)
$325 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules Single continuous trip (multi-vehicle)
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
EXO commuter bus and railZone fares $475-$975
Daily Pass $1000 (31x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2625 (81x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $8500 (262x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +7568 ($185 cash in 1998)
+7568
+4524
+3963
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
STM Fare Canada Inflation Quebec Inflation
9
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver (Translink)
$295-$570 cash (3 zones)$230-$440 fare card
Transfer Rules Free transfers for 90 minutes
Fare Zones 3 zones airport exit +$500
Separate Regional Fares
West Coast Express Commuter RailZone fares $625-$1245
Daily Pass $1025 (54x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass na
Monthly Pass $9500 (322x 1-zone cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +9667 ($150 cash in 1998)
+9667
+4524
+3608
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Translink Fare Canada Inflation BC Inflation
10
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC (WMATA)
$225-$600 cash or fare card (distance-based in peak hours)
Transfer Rules Train one single ride no transferBus free transfers up to two hours$050 discount if combining modes
Fare Zones Combination of distance and zone
Separate Regional Fares
MARC and VRE Commuter RailZone fares $340-$1300
Daily Pass $1475 (66x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass $6000 (267x 1-zone cash fare)
Monthly Pass na
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +10455 ($110 cash in 1998)
+10455
+5409
+6001
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Base Fare USA Inflation Wash DC Inflation
11
Mixed Signals 2018
Base Cash Fare vs Inflation 1998-2018
USA Inflation +5409
Canada Inflation +4524
Boston MBTA +22353
Chicago CTA +6667
Houston Metro +15000
LA Metro +2963
Montreal STM +7568
Vancouver Translink +9667Wash DC Metro +10455
1998 2018
Toronto TTC +8750
12
Mixed Signals 2018
Pass MultipliersNumber of Cash Fares to Match Pass Cost
66
44
40
33
24
39
31
54
Wash DC Metro
Boston MBTA
LA Metro
Chicago CTA
Houston Metro
Toronto TTC
Montreal STM
Vancouver Translink
Daily
267
77
143
110
135
81
Weekly(where available)
307
571
350
450
262
322
Monthly(where available)
13
Mixed Signals 2018
Network DesignCommonalities
bull Strong ridership and mode share similar to other Canadian cities
bull Multi-decade history brings expansion goals into conflict with modern standards
bull Nearly all cities have regional commuter rail in addition to urban core service
Differencesbull 2nd-highest proportion of
tunneled transit increases costs and construction time
bull Lower number of lines reduces coverage and network benefits
bull Choosing extensions over new lines means small issues create large interruptions
There is no perfect or universal structure for the public transitnetwork But there are commonalities among many cities andlessons to be learned Network mobility and resilience is a keyfactor in increased commuter mode share and as we design ournetworks we should be thinking about how to address unservedneeds how to create an adaptable travel grid and how to benefitmost from network effects These are all essential characteristics ofa strong transit network
Political decisions affecting the efficiency of the network haveripple effects which impact riders across the network changingcommuter mode share non-peak ridership decisions and systemrevenue◼
A strong transit network serves a diversity ofdestinations and a diversity of riders There aremany aspects to the development of a networkwith good connectivity Simply put the networkmust connect to places people want to go
All cities in the study have multiple-mode localtransit and all offer regional rail except HoustonEvery agency examined has responsibility forsome private vehicle parking lots alongside theexpected bus and rail services while a few addon-call services ferries and even bike share
It is popular to contrast Torontorsquos subway networkwith New York Paris Chicago or Boston butToronto started building its rail network decadeslater Torontorsquos early investments have givenToronto a good foundation but it is disingenuousto contrast these cities without noting that theNew York City subway was essentially completebefore Toronto even started
Torontorsquos GO Train network provides wide
regional coverage and has built ridershipexceeding most other cities especially along itshigher-capacity Lakeshore lines
Torontorsquos local rail network is less complex withless coverage than many cities Downtown corestreetcar lines improve the network greatly butat low resilience due to mixed-traffic streetdesign When contrasted with every other city inthe study it is clear Torontorsquos heavy reliance ontwo very long rail lines is unusual Morecomplexity allows for greater networkconnectivity and adaptability The EglintonCrosstown LRT line will strengthen Torontorsquosnetwork considerably
Torontorsquos local transit has the highest ridershipof all systems in the study Unlike many othercities the most common mode of transit is thebus whose network connects well to the subwaysystem Indeed Torontorsquos subway is only busybecause of busy feeder buses given low densitynear most stations
It is notable that some of the busiest publictransit routes are found in suburban areas ofToronto (such as along Finch Avenue) Thisdemonstrates that it is possible to build strongtransit ridership in areas with lower density thatthe city core
Toronto also has the highest rate of transit use asa proportion of commuters of all metro areas inthe study This success is driven by transit use inand into Toronto Local transit use in cities outsideToronto remains quite low While it has a muchlower ridership that Toronto local transitsuburban use of regional rail is strong along thelakeshore
Good network infrastructure lays the foundationfor strong ridership but service frequency andreliability are more significant for building andretaining ridership in each corridor
14
Mixed Signals 2018
TerminologyTerms Description
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) High-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-way often but not always tunneled or elevated Example the TTC subway is Heavy Rail under North American terminology
Exclusive ROW LightIntermediate Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-wayExample the TTC ldquoScarborough RTrdquo is intermediate capacity and once in operation the Eglinton Crosstown will be over 50 exclusive right-of-way
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixture of rights-of-way including tunneled elevated and at-gradeExample the TTC 501 Queen streetcar at High Park operates in exclusive sections which are broken up by mixed-traffic intersections
Non-exclusive ROW (Streetcar Tram) Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixed-traffic environment subject to blockage by non-transit vehiclesExample the TTC 504 King streetcar shares its lane with passenger cars for almost its entire route despite being Torontorsquos single busiest surface transit line
Regional Rail Higher-speed heavy rail operating in an exclusive right-of-way at greater distances often connecting disparate citiesExample Metrolinx GO Transit
Unlinked Trips A single boarding of a single vehicleExample busgt subway gt bus = 3 unlinked trips
Linked Trips A series of boardings required to complete a single continuous journeyExample bus gt subway gt bus = 1 linked trip
15
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
726 km(792 in late 2020rsquos)
70(71 in late 2020rsquos)
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
64 km(164 in ~2022)
6(19 in ~2022)
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
232 km(432 in ~2022)
68(98 in ~2022)
Non-exclusive ROW(Streetcar Tram)
83 km ~300
Regional Rail (non-TTC)
452 km 66
Construction Note Lines 5 amp 6 scheduled to begin service in 2021-22 Line 3 to close in late 2020rsquos as new subway extension with one stop opens serving busiest Line 3 stop
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
TTC Heavy RailTTC Intermediate
TTC StreetcarsTTC BusGO Rail
Wheel-Trans
87730037800
2878001406800
20420013800
TTC Ridership (2017) 856953100 (unlinked trips APTA)535000000 (linked rides TTC)
16
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
681 km 62
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
37 km(439 in ~2022)
66(73 in ~2022)
Regional Rail 641 km 137
Construction Note Green Line light rail extension in progress
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Heavy RailLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
321000204000233100123100
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 387629600 (unlinked trips)
17
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 169 km 146
Regional Rail (non-CTA) 785 km 242
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
CTA Heavy RailCTA Bus
Metra Commuter RailPACE ParaTransit
729200805500285400
17600
CTA Ridership (2017 APTA) 479435200 (unlinked trips)
18
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Mode Length StationsStops
Semi-exclusive ROWLight Rail
365 km 39
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Light RailBus
ParaTransit
61100222800
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 88799300 (unlinked trips)
19
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
316 km 22
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
313 km 14
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
1101 km(1238 in
~2019)
68(76 in
~2019)
Regional Rail(non-Metro)
859 km 61
Construction Note New CrenshawLAX Light Rail line on west side of city scheduled to open in 2019
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
138500219900896400
3780010800
Metro Ridership (2017 APTA)
397489400 (unlinked trips)
20
Mixed Signals 2018
MontrealMode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 692 km 68
Regional Rail (non-STM) 2564 km 62
Construction Note Reacuteseau express meacutetropolitain (REM) light rail lines in the centre north and west of city scheduled to begin service in 2021
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayBus
Commuter RailParaTransit
1298400917000
8490013900
Ridership (2017 APTA) 643087600 (unlinked trips)
21
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Comparator City Selection
City Pop
Urban Area
HeavyRail
Rail in Exclusive
ROW
Rail in Non-Exclusive
ROW
Regional Rail Service
Multi-Mode and
Multi-Line
Fare Card
System
Rail Bus Parking andhellip
New York City MTA 86m 203m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Los Angeles Metro 41m 133m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Toronto TTC 28m 72m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Chicago CTA 27m 95m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston Metro 22m 68m ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal STM 18m 41m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ On-call Taxibus
Philadelphia SEPTA 16m 61m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
San Diego MTS 14m 31m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dallas DART 13m 74m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ On-call Taxibus
Calgary Transit 12m 14m ◼ ◼
Washington DC Metro 07m 61m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Boston MBTA 07m 47m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ Ferries
Vancouver Translink 06m 25m ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ Ferries
Regardless of criteria any selection of citieswill have faults and negative effects on thecomparison itself In this report an attemptwas made to provide a reasonable breadth ofcomparisons across city and urban areapopulations transit network complexity andmodes and relevance to Toronto
While a comparison to New York Cityrsquos iconicand extensive subway system is seeminglyunavoidable in Toronto media and at CityCouncil it is inappropriate for this report Thisarea has an urban area population of overthree times that of the GTA and a heavy railnetwork which is multiple decades older
By contrast Calgaryrsquos network consists of asingle transit mode and features no regionalcommuter rail nor a modern fare card
Cities such as Philadelphia San Diego andDallas have relevant network structures for thecurious transit policy researcher but were notincluded in this report
2
Mixed Signals 2018
Fare StructuresCommonalities
bull TTC fares have risen far above the rate of inflation over the last twenty years
bull A single fare zone for the core urban area often across multiple modes
bull No fare capping option for the core urban transit system
bull Little regional fare integration
Differencesbull TTC the only agency examined
with an annual pass option disproportionately benefiting higher-income riders
bull TTC the only agency examined required to cover over two-thirds of its operating expenses from the farebox
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit faresCosts passes structures and even whether to charge at all varywidely around the world but within North America we find similarfares structures and a remarkable continent-wide conclusion thatpublic transit agencies shall charge for their service
The mobility options provided to residents are part of a cityrsquosdemocratic practice As we examine the costs to riders we shouldbe thinking about how to more efficiently provide more service tomore residents and recognize the diversity of needs and paymentcapacity It is also key to create a sustainable model to ensure long-term mobility within our cities◼
Our report found Torontorsquos transit fares and goalscontrast with other cities in key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has broadly-typical public transit fares with acash fare of $325 Canadian close to or matchingMontreal Boston Chicago and comparable toboth Vancouver and Washington DC
All comparator city fares sit within the $160-$325 CAD range for the single zone or the corezone and up to around $780 CAD at peak for thedistance-based and zone-based systems Theregional commuter rail systems typically haveseparate fare systems rarely integrated with thecore local agency with exclusively distance-basedfares
Torontorsquos daily and weekly pass cost levelsapproach the median among the cities reviewedBut what sets it apart are its continentally-uniqueannual adult Metropass and a significantly morecostly monthly pass All passes perform a some-
what contradictory role for transit riders as theyare designed to provide a discount for higher-volume use but are usually only available to thosewith sufficient disposable income to pre-pay forthe pass in expectation of benefiting later
One technology tool available with electronic farecards is fare capping which automatically reducesor eliminates the incremental cost to the rideronce a certain threshold has been reached GOTransit provides this in lieu of monthly passes viathe PRESTO card also being adopted by the TTCHowever fare capping remains rare even aselectronic fare cards proliferate due to perceivedfare revenue risk Some systems ldquosplit thedifferencerdquo such as Houston Metrorsquos requirementof a custom card in order to gain access tocapping
Common to nearly all the reviewed cities is asingle flat fare an international best practice fortransit access which provides dramaticallydifferent travel distances for the same fare In an
urban area with expensive core housing this canbe a form of travel subsidy from short-trip ridersto long-trip riders
A remarkable commonality across nearly everycity studied is the magnitude of fare increases inevery city outside Los Angeles transit fares rosefaster than inflation over the last twenty yearssometimes dramatically The TTCrsquos adult cash farerose 29 faster than inflation from 1998-2018
The most alarming discovery in CodeRedTOrsquosresearch has been that while all public transitagencies worldwide contribute to operatingexpenses via the farebox the TTC relies on faresfor two-thirds of its base operating budget alevel not seen in any other city in North America
When combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
3
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto (TTC)
$325 cash$300 fare card token
Transfer Rules Free transfers up to two hours in any direction with fare card
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
GO commuter railZone fares $477-$1850 monthly cap
Daily Pass $1250 (385x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $4375 (135x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $14625 (45x cash fare)
Annual Pass $160800 (4123x cash fare monthly)
20-year Fare Δ +8750 ($175 cash in 1998)
+8750
+4524
+4812
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
TTC Fare Canada Inflation Ontario Inflation
4
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston (MBTA)
$275 cash$225 fare card
Transfer Rules Rail to rail freeFirst transfer to other modes discounted within first two hours only
Fare Zones Single zone fare varies by mode
Separate Regional Fares
MBTA Commuter RailZone fares $225-$1250
Daily Pass $1200 (44x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2125 (77x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $8450 (307x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +22353 ($085 cash in 1998)
+22353
+5409
+5997
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
MBTA Fare USA Inflation Boston Inflation
5
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago (CTA)
$300 cash$250 fare card
Transfer Rules $025 for train or up to $030 for bus for up to 2 additional rides within 2 hours Only available using fare card
Fare Zones Single zone fare varies by mode Airport service +$500
Separate Regional Fares
Metra Commuter RailZone fares $4-$825
Daily Pass $1000 (33x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $3300 (11x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $10500 (35x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +6667 ($150 cash in 1998)
+6667
+5409
+4457
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
CTA Fare USA Inflation Chicago Inflation
6
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston (Metro)
$125 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules Free transfers up to three hours in any direction with fare card
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
Express Park amp Ride bus serviceZone fares $200-$450
Daily Pass $300 (24x cash fare)
Monthly Pass na
Weekly Pass na
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +15000 ($050 cash in 1998)
+15000
+5409
+5491
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Metro Fare USA Inflation Houston Inflation
7
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles (Metro)
$175 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules $050 for transfer to a non-Metro bus within 2 hours
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
Metrolink Commuter RailZone fares $275-$2750
Daily Pass $700 (4x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2500 (143x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $10000 (571x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +6360 ($135 cash in 1998)
+2963
+5409
+6360
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
LA Metro Fare USA Inflation LA Inflation
8
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal (STM)
$325 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules Single continuous trip (multi-vehicle)
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
EXO commuter bus and railZone fares $475-$975
Daily Pass $1000 (31x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2625 (81x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $8500 (262x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +7568 ($185 cash in 1998)
+7568
+4524
+3963
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
STM Fare Canada Inflation Quebec Inflation
9
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver (Translink)
$295-$570 cash (3 zones)$230-$440 fare card
Transfer Rules Free transfers for 90 minutes
Fare Zones 3 zones airport exit +$500
Separate Regional Fares
West Coast Express Commuter RailZone fares $625-$1245
Daily Pass $1025 (54x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass na
Monthly Pass $9500 (322x 1-zone cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +9667 ($150 cash in 1998)
+9667
+4524
+3608
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Translink Fare Canada Inflation BC Inflation
10
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC (WMATA)
$225-$600 cash or fare card (distance-based in peak hours)
Transfer Rules Train one single ride no transferBus free transfers up to two hours$050 discount if combining modes
Fare Zones Combination of distance and zone
Separate Regional Fares
MARC and VRE Commuter RailZone fares $340-$1300
Daily Pass $1475 (66x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass $6000 (267x 1-zone cash fare)
Monthly Pass na
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +10455 ($110 cash in 1998)
+10455
+5409
+6001
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Base Fare USA Inflation Wash DC Inflation
11
Mixed Signals 2018
Base Cash Fare vs Inflation 1998-2018
USA Inflation +5409
Canada Inflation +4524
Boston MBTA +22353
Chicago CTA +6667
Houston Metro +15000
LA Metro +2963
Montreal STM +7568
Vancouver Translink +9667Wash DC Metro +10455
1998 2018
Toronto TTC +8750
12
Mixed Signals 2018
Pass MultipliersNumber of Cash Fares to Match Pass Cost
66
44
40
33
24
39
31
54
Wash DC Metro
Boston MBTA
LA Metro
Chicago CTA
Houston Metro
Toronto TTC
Montreal STM
Vancouver Translink
Daily
267
77
143
110
135
81
Weekly(where available)
307
571
350
450
262
322
Monthly(where available)
13
Mixed Signals 2018
Network DesignCommonalities
bull Strong ridership and mode share similar to other Canadian cities
bull Multi-decade history brings expansion goals into conflict with modern standards
bull Nearly all cities have regional commuter rail in addition to urban core service
Differencesbull 2nd-highest proportion of
tunneled transit increases costs and construction time
bull Lower number of lines reduces coverage and network benefits
bull Choosing extensions over new lines means small issues create large interruptions
There is no perfect or universal structure for the public transitnetwork But there are commonalities among many cities andlessons to be learned Network mobility and resilience is a keyfactor in increased commuter mode share and as we design ournetworks we should be thinking about how to address unservedneeds how to create an adaptable travel grid and how to benefitmost from network effects These are all essential characteristics ofa strong transit network
Political decisions affecting the efficiency of the network haveripple effects which impact riders across the network changingcommuter mode share non-peak ridership decisions and systemrevenue◼
A strong transit network serves a diversity ofdestinations and a diversity of riders There aremany aspects to the development of a networkwith good connectivity Simply put the networkmust connect to places people want to go
All cities in the study have multiple-mode localtransit and all offer regional rail except HoustonEvery agency examined has responsibility forsome private vehicle parking lots alongside theexpected bus and rail services while a few addon-call services ferries and even bike share
It is popular to contrast Torontorsquos subway networkwith New York Paris Chicago or Boston butToronto started building its rail network decadeslater Torontorsquos early investments have givenToronto a good foundation but it is disingenuousto contrast these cities without noting that theNew York City subway was essentially completebefore Toronto even started
Torontorsquos GO Train network provides wide
regional coverage and has built ridershipexceeding most other cities especially along itshigher-capacity Lakeshore lines
Torontorsquos local rail network is less complex withless coverage than many cities Downtown corestreetcar lines improve the network greatly butat low resilience due to mixed-traffic streetdesign When contrasted with every other city inthe study it is clear Torontorsquos heavy reliance ontwo very long rail lines is unusual Morecomplexity allows for greater networkconnectivity and adaptability The EglintonCrosstown LRT line will strengthen Torontorsquosnetwork considerably
Torontorsquos local transit has the highest ridershipof all systems in the study Unlike many othercities the most common mode of transit is thebus whose network connects well to the subwaysystem Indeed Torontorsquos subway is only busybecause of busy feeder buses given low densitynear most stations
It is notable that some of the busiest publictransit routes are found in suburban areas ofToronto (such as along Finch Avenue) Thisdemonstrates that it is possible to build strongtransit ridership in areas with lower density thatthe city core
Toronto also has the highest rate of transit use asa proportion of commuters of all metro areas inthe study This success is driven by transit use inand into Toronto Local transit use in cities outsideToronto remains quite low While it has a muchlower ridership that Toronto local transitsuburban use of regional rail is strong along thelakeshore
Good network infrastructure lays the foundationfor strong ridership but service frequency andreliability are more significant for building andretaining ridership in each corridor
14
Mixed Signals 2018
TerminologyTerms Description
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) High-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-way often but not always tunneled or elevated Example the TTC subway is Heavy Rail under North American terminology
Exclusive ROW LightIntermediate Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-wayExample the TTC ldquoScarborough RTrdquo is intermediate capacity and once in operation the Eglinton Crosstown will be over 50 exclusive right-of-way
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixture of rights-of-way including tunneled elevated and at-gradeExample the TTC 501 Queen streetcar at High Park operates in exclusive sections which are broken up by mixed-traffic intersections
Non-exclusive ROW (Streetcar Tram) Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixed-traffic environment subject to blockage by non-transit vehiclesExample the TTC 504 King streetcar shares its lane with passenger cars for almost its entire route despite being Torontorsquos single busiest surface transit line
Regional Rail Higher-speed heavy rail operating in an exclusive right-of-way at greater distances often connecting disparate citiesExample Metrolinx GO Transit
Unlinked Trips A single boarding of a single vehicleExample busgt subway gt bus = 3 unlinked trips
Linked Trips A series of boardings required to complete a single continuous journeyExample bus gt subway gt bus = 1 linked trip
15
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
726 km(792 in late 2020rsquos)
70(71 in late 2020rsquos)
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
64 km(164 in ~2022)
6(19 in ~2022)
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
232 km(432 in ~2022)
68(98 in ~2022)
Non-exclusive ROW(Streetcar Tram)
83 km ~300
Regional Rail (non-TTC)
452 km 66
Construction Note Lines 5 amp 6 scheduled to begin service in 2021-22 Line 3 to close in late 2020rsquos as new subway extension with one stop opens serving busiest Line 3 stop
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
TTC Heavy RailTTC Intermediate
TTC StreetcarsTTC BusGO Rail
Wheel-Trans
87730037800
2878001406800
20420013800
TTC Ridership (2017) 856953100 (unlinked trips APTA)535000000 (linked rides TTC)
16
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
681 km 62
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
37 km(439 in ~2022)
66(73 in ~2022)
Regional Rail 641 km 137
Construction Note Green Line light rail extension in progress
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Heavy RailLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
321000204000233100123100
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 387629600 (unlinked trips)
17
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 169 km 146
Regional Rail (non-CTA) 785 km 242
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
CTA Heavy RailCTA Bus
Metra Commuter RailPACE ParaTransit
729200805500285400
17600
CTA Ridership (2017 APTA) 479435200 (unlinked trips)
18
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Mode Length StationsStops
Semi-exclusive ROWLight Rail
365 km 39
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Light RailBus
ParaTransit
61100222800
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 88799300 (unlinked trips)
19
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
316 km 22
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
313 km 14
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
1101 km(1238 in
~2019)
68(76 in
~2019)
Regional Rail(non-Metro)
859 km 61
Construction Note New CrenshawLAX Light Rail line on west side of city scheduled to open in 2019
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
138500219900896400
3780010800
Metro Ridership (2017 APTA)
397489400 (unlinked trips)
20
Mixed Signals 2018
MontrealMode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 692 km 68
Regional Rail (non-STM) 2564 km 62
Construction Note Reacuteseau express meacutetropolitain (REM) light rail lines in the centre north and west of city scheduled to begin service in 2021
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayBus
Commuter RailParaTransit
1298400917000
8490013900
Ridership (2017 APTA) 643087600 (unlinked trips)
21
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Fare StructuresCommonalities
bull TTC fares have risen far above the rate of inflation over the last twenty years
bull A single fare zone for the core urban area often across multiple modes
bull No fare capping option for the core urban transit system
bull Little regional fare integration
Differencesbull TTC the only agency examined
with an annual pass option disproportionately benefiting higher-income riders
bull TTC the only agency examined required to cover over two-thirds of its operating expenses from the farebox
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit faresCosts passes structures and even whether to charge at all varywidely around the world but within North America we find similarfares structures and a remarkable continent-wide conclusion thatpublic transit agencies shall charge for their service
The mobility options provided to residents are part of a cityrsquosdemocratic practice As we examine the costs to riders we shouldbe thinking about how to more efficiently provide more service tomore residents and recognize the diversity of needs and paymentcapacity It is also key to create a sustainable model to ensure long-term mobility within our cities◼
Our report found Torontorsquos transit fares and goalscontrast with other cities in key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has broadly-typical public transit fares with acash fare of $325 Canadian close to or matchingMontreal Boston Chicago and comparable toboth Vancouver and Washington DC
All comparator city fares sit within the $160-$325 CAD range for the single zone or the corezone and up to around $780 CAD at peak for thedistance-based and zone-based systems Theregional commuter rail systems typically haveseparate fare systems rarely integrated with thecore local agency with exclusively distance-basedfares
Torontorsquos daily and weekly pass cost levelsapproach the median among the cities reviewedBut what sets it apart are its continentally-uniqueannual adult Metropass and a significantly morecostly monthly pass All passes perform a some-
what contradictory role for transit riders as theyare designed to provide a discount for higher-volume use but are usually only available to thosewith sufficient disposable income to pre-pay forthe pass in expectation of benefiting later
One technology tool available with electronic farecards is fare capping which automatically reducesor eliminates the incremental cost to the rideronce a certain threshold has been reached GOTransit provides this in lieu of monthly passes viathe PRESTO card also being adopted by the TTCHowever fare capping remains rare even aselectronic fare cards proliferate due to perceivedfare revenue risk Some systems ldquosplit thedifferencerdquo such as Houston Metrorsquos requirementof a custom card in order to gain access tocapping
Common to nearly all the reviewed cities is asingle flat fare an international best practice fortransit access which provides dramaticallydifferent travel distances for the same fare In an
urban area with expensive core housing this canbe a form of travel subsidy from short-trip ridersto long-trip riders
A remarkable commonality across nearly everycity studied is the magnitude of fare increases inevery city outside Los Angeles transit fares rosefaster than inflation over the last twenty yearssometimes dramatically The TTCrsquos adult cash farerose 29 faster than inflation from 1998-2018
The most alarming discovery in CodeRedTOrsquosresearch has been that while all public transitagencies worldwide contribute to operatingexpenses via the farebox the TTC relies on faresfor two-thirds of its base operating budget alevel not seen in any other city in North America
When combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
3
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto (TTC)
$325 cash$300 fare card token
Transfer Rules Free transfers up to two hours in any direction with fare card
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
GO commuter railZone fares $477-$1850 monthly cap
Daily Pass $1250 (385x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $4375 (135x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $14625 (45x cash fare)
Annual Pass $160800 (4123x cash fare monthly)
20-year Fare Δ +8750 ($175 cash in 1998)
+8750
+4524
+4812
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
TTC Fare Canada Inflation Ontario Inflation
4
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston (MBTA)
$275 cash$225 fare card
Transfer Rules Rail to rail freeFirst transfer to other modes discounted within first two hours only
Fare Zones Single zone fare varies by mode
Separate Regional Fares
MBTA Commuter RailZone fares $225-$1250
Daily Pass $1200 (44x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2125 (77x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $8450 (307x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +22353 ($085 cash in 1998)
+22353
+5409
+5997
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
MBTA Fare USA Inflation Boston Inflation
5
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago (CTA)
$300 cash$250 fare card
Transfer Rules $025 for train or up to $030 for bus for up to 2 additional rides within 2 hours Only available using fare card
Fare Zones Single zone fare varies by mode Airport service +$500
Separate Regional Fares
Metra Commuter RailZone fares $4-$825
Daily Pass $1000 (33x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $3300 (11x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $10500 (35x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +6667 ($150 cash in 1998)
+6667
+5409
+4457
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
CTA Fare USA Inflation Chicago Inflation
6
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston (Metro)
$125 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules Free transfers up to three hours in any direction with fare card
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
Express Park amp Ride bus serviceZone fares $200-$450
Daily Pass $300 (24x cash fare)
Monthly Pass na
Weekly Pass na
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +15000 ($050 cash in 1998)
+15000
+5409
+5491
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Metro Fare USA Inflation Houston Inflation
7
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles (Metro)
$175 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules $050 for transfer to a non-Metro bus within 2 hours
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
Metrolink Commuter RailZone fares $275-$2750
Daily Pass $700 (4x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2500 (143x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $10000 (571x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +6360 ($135 cash in 1998)
+2963
+5409
+6360
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
LA Metro Fare USA Inflation LA Inflation
8
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal (STM)
$325 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules Single continuous trip (multi-vehicle)
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
EXO commuter bus and railZone fares $475-$975
Daily Pass $1000 (31x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2625 (81x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $8500 (262x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +7568 ($185 cash in 1998)
+7568
+4524
+3963
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
STM Fare Canada Inflation Quebec Inflation
9
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver (Translink)
$295-$570 cash (3 zones)$230-$440 fare card
Transfer Rules Free transfers for 90 minutes
Fare Zones 3 zones airport exit +$500
Separate Regional Fares
West Coast Express Commuter RailZone fares $625-$1245
Daily Pass $1025 (54x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass na
Monthly Pass $9500 (322x 1-zone cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +9667 ($150 cash in 1998)
+9667
+4524
+3608
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Translink Fare Canada Inflation BC Inflation
10
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC (WMATA)
$225-$600 cash or fare card (distance-based in peak hours)
Transfer Rules Train one single ride no transferBus free transfers up to two hours$050 discount if combining modes
Fare Zones Combination of distance and zone
Separate Regional Fares
MARC and VRE Commuter RailZone fares $340-$1300
Daily Pass $1475 (66x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass $6000 (267x 1-zone cash fare)
Monthly Pass na
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +10455 ($110 cash in 1998)
+10455
+5409
+6001
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Base Fare USA Inflation Wash DC Inflation
11
Mixed Signals 2018
Base Cash Fare vs Inflation 1998-2018
USA Inflation +5409
Canada Inflation +4524
Boston MBTA +22353
Chicago CTA +6667
Houston Metro +15000
LA Metro +2963
Montreal STM +7568
Vancouver Translink +9667Wash DC Metro +10455
1998 2018
Toronto TTC +8750
12
Mixed Signals 2018
Pass MultipliersNumber of Cash Fares to Match Pass Cost
66
44
40
33
24
39
31
54
Wash DC Metro
Boston MBTA
LA Metro
Chicago CTA
Houston Metro
Toronto TTC
Montreal STM
Vancouver Translink
Daily
267
77
143
110
135
81
Weekly(where available)
307
571
350
450
262
322
Monthly(where available)
13
Mixed Signals 2018
Network DesignCommonalities
bull Strong ridership and mode share similar to other Canadian cities
bull Multi-decade history brings expansion goals into conflict with modern standards
bull Nearly all cities have regional commuter rail in addition to urban core service
Differencesbull 2nd-highest proportion of
tunneled transit increases costs and construction time
bull Lower number of lines reduces coverage and network benefits
bull Choosing extensions over new lines means small issues create large interruptions
There is no perfect or universal structure for the public transitnetwork But there are commonalities among many cities andlessons to be learned Network mobility and resilience is a keyfactor in increased commuter mode share and as we design ournetworks we should be thinking about how to address unservedneeds how to create an adaptable travel grid and how to benefitmost from network effects These are all essential characteristics ofa strong transit network
Political decisions affecting the efficiency of the network haveripple effects which impact riders across the network changingcommuter mode share non-peak ridership decisions and systemrevenue◼
A strong transit network serves a diversity ofdestinations and a diversity of riders There aremany aspects to the development of a networkwith good connectivity Simply put the networkmust connect to places people want to go
All cities in the study have multiple-mode localtransit and all offer regional rail except HoustonEvery agency examined has responsibility forsome private vehicle parking lots alongside theexpected bus and rail services while a few addon-call services ferries and even bike share
It is popular to contrast Torontorsquos subway networkwith New York Paris Chicago or Boston butToronto started building its rail network decadeslater Torontorsquos early investments have givenToronto a good foundation but it is disingenuousto contrast these cities without noting that theNew York City subway was essentially completebefore Toronto even started
Torontorsquos GO Train network provides wide
regional coverage and has built ridershipexceeding most other cities especially along itshigher-capacity Lakeshore lines
Torontorsquos local rail network is less complex withless coverage than many cities Downtown corestreetcar lines improve the network greatly butat low resilience due to mixed-traffic streetdesign When contrasted with every other city inthe study it is clear Torontorsquos heavy reliance ontwo very long rail lines is unusual Morecomplexity allows for greater networkconnectivity and adaptability The EglintonCrosstown LRT line will strengthen Torontorsquosnetwork considerably
Torontorsquos local transit has the highest ridershipof all systems in the study Unlike many othercities the most common mode of transit is thebus whose network connects well to the subwaysystem Indeed Torontorsquos subway is only busybecause of busy feeder buses given low densitynear most stations
It is notable that some of the busiest publictransit routes are found in suburban areas ofToronto (such as along Finch Avenue) Thisdemonstrates that it is possible to build strongtransit ridership in areas with lower density thatthe city core
Toronto also has the highest rate of transit use asa proportion of commuters of all metro areas inthe study This success is driven by transit use inand into Toronto Local transit use in cities outsideToronto remains quite low While it has a muchlower ridership that Toronto local transitsuburban use of regional rail is strong along thelakeshore
Good network infrastructure lays the foundationfor strong ridership but service frequency andreliability are more significant for building andretaining ridership in each corridor
14
Mixed Signals 2018
TerminologyTerms Description
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) High-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-way often but not always tunneled or elevated Example the TTC subway is Heavy Rail under North American terminology
Exclusive ROW LightIntermediate Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-wayExample the TTC ldquoScarborough RTrdquo is intermediate capacity and once in operation the Eglinton Crosstown will be over 50 exclusive right-of-way
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixture of rights-of-way including tunneled elevated and at-gradeExample the TTC 501 Queen streetcar at High Park operates in exclusive sections which are broken up by mixed-traffic intersections
Non-exclusive ROW (Streetcar Tram) Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixed-traffic environment subject to blockage by non-transit vehiclesExample the TTC 504 King streetcar shares its lane with passenger cars for almost its entire route despite being Torontorsquos single busiest surface transit line
Regional Rail Higher-speed heavy rail operating in an exclusive right-of-way at greater distances often connecting disparate citiesExample Metrolinx GO Transit
Unlinked Trips A single boarding of a single vehicleExample busgt subway gt bus = 3 unlinked trips
Linked Trips A series of boardings required to complete a single continuous journeyExample bus gt subway gt bus = 1 linked trip
15
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
726 km(792 in late 2020rsquos)
70(71 in late 2020rsquos)
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
64 km(164 in ~2022)
6(19 in ~2022)
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
232 km(432 in ~2022)
68(98 in ~2022)
Non-exclusive ROW(Streetcar Tram)
83 km ~300
Regional Rail (non-TTC)
452 km 66
Construction Note Lines 5 amp 6 scheduled to begin service in 2021-22 Line 3 to close in late 2020rsquos as new subway extension with one stop opens serving busiest Line 3 stop
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
TTC Heavy RailTTC Intermediate
TTC StreetcarsTTC BusGO Rail
Wheel-Trans
87730037800
2878001406800
20420013800
TTC Ridership (2017) 856953100 (unlinked trips APTA)535000000 (linked rides TTC)
16
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
681 km 62
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
37 km(439 in ~2022)
66(73 in ~2022)
Regional Rail 641 km 137
Construction Note Green Line light rail extension in progress
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Heavy RailLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
321000204000233100123100
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 387629600 (unlinked trips)
17
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 169 km 146
Regional Rail (non-CTA) 785 km 242
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
CTA Heavy RailCTA Bus
Metra Commuter RailPACE ParaTransit
729200805500285400
17600
CTA Ridership (2017 APTA) 479435200 (unlinked trips)
18
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Mode Length StationsStops
Semi-exclusive ROWLight Rail
365 km 39
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Light RailBus
ParaTransit
61100222800
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 88799300 (unlinked trips)
19
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
316 km 22
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
313 km 14
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
1101 km(1238 in
~2019)
68(76 in
~2019)
Regional Rail(non-Metro)
859 km 61
Construction Note New CrenshawLAX Light Rail line on west side of city scheduled to open in 2019
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
138500219900896400
3780010800
Metro Ridership (2017 APTA)
397489400 (unlinked trips)
20
Mixed Signals 2018
MontrealMode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 692 km 68
Regional Rail (non-STM) 2564 km 62
Construction Note Reacuteseau express meacutetropolitain (REM) light rail lines in the centre north and west of city scheduled to begin service in 2021
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayBus
Commuter RailParaTransit
1298400917000
8490013900
Ridership (2017 APTA) 643087600 (unlinked trips)
21
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto (TTC)
$325 cash$300 fare card token
Transfer Rules Free transfers up to two hours in any direction with fare card
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
GO commuter railZone fares $477-$1850 monthly cap
Daily Pass $1250 (385x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $4375 (135x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $14625 (45x cash fare)
Annual Pass $160800 (4123x cash fare monthly)
20-year Fare Δ +8750 ($175 cash in 1998)
+8750
+4524
+4812
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
TTC Fare Canada Inflation Ontario Inflation
4
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston (MBTA)
$275 cash$225 fare card
Transfer Rules Rail to rail freeFirst transfer to other modes discounted within first two hours only
Fare Zones Single zone fare varies by mode
Separate Regional Fares
MBTA Commuter RailZone fares $225-$1250
Daily Pass $1200 (44x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2125 (77x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $8450 (307x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +22353 ($085 cash in 1998)
+22353
+5409
+5997
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
MBTA Fare USA Inflation Boston Inflation
5
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago (CTA)
$300 cash$250 fare card
Transfer Rules $025 for train or up to $030 for bus for up to 2 additional rides within 2 hours Only available using fare card
Fare Zones Single zone fare varies by mode Airport service +$500
Separate Regional Fares
Metra Commuter RailZone fares $4-$825
Daily Pass $1000 (33x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $3300 (11x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $10500 (35x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +6667 ($150 cash in 1998)
+6667
+5409
+4457
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
CTA Fare USA Inflation Chicago Inflation
6
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston (Metro)
$125 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules Free transfers up to three hours in any direction with fare card
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
Express Park amp Ride bus serviceZone fares $200-$450
Daily Pass $300 (24x cash fare)
Monthly Pass na
Weekly Pass na
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +15000 ($050 cash in 1998)
+15000
+5409
+5491
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Metro Fare USA Inflation Houston Inflation
7
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles (Metro)
$175 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules $050 for transfer to a non-Metro bus within 2 hours
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
Metrolink Commuter RailZone fares $275-$2750
Daily Pass $700 (4x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2500 (143x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $10000 (571x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +6360 ($135 cash in 1998)
+2963
+5409
+6360
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
LA Metro Fare USA Inflation LA Inflation
8
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal (STM)
$325 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules Single continuous trip (multi-vehicle)
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
EXO commuter bus and railZone fares $475-$975
Daily Pass $1000 (31x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2625 (81x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $8500 (262x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +7568 ($185 cash in 1998)
+7568
+4524
+3963
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
STM Fare Canada Inflation Quebec Inflation
9
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver (Translink)
$295-$570 cash (3 zones)$230-$440 fare card
Transfer Rules Free transfers for 90 minutes
Fare Zones 3 zones airport exit +$500
Separate Regional Fares
West Coast Express Commuter RailZone fares $625-$1245
Daily Pass $1025 (54x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass na
Monthly Pass $9500 (322x 1-zone cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +9667 ($150 cash in 1998)
+9667
+4524
+3608
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Translink Fare Canada Inflation BC Inflation
10
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC (WMATA)
$225-$600 cash or fare card (distance-based in peak hours)
Transfer Rules Train one single ride no transferBus free transfers up to two hours$050 discount if combining modes
Fare Zones Combination of distance and zone
Separate Regional Fares
MARC and VRE Commuter RailZone fares $340-$1300
Daily Pass $1475 (66x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass $6000 (267x 1-zone cash fare)
Monthly Pass na
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +10455 ($110 cash in 1998)
+10455
+5409
+6001
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Base Fare USA Inflation Wash DC Inflation
11
Mixed Signals 2018
Base Cash Fare vs Inflation 1998-2018
USA Inflation +5409
Canada Inflation +4524
Boston MBTA +22353
Chicago CTA +6667
Houston Metro +15000
LA Metro +2963
Montreal STM +7568
Vancouver Translink +9667Wash DC Metro +10455
1998 2018
Toronto TTC +8750
12
Mixed Signals 2018
Pass MultipliersNumber of Cash Fares to Match Pass Cost
66
44
40
33
24
39
31
54
Wash DC Metro
Boston MBTA
LA Metro
Chicago CTA
Houston Metro
Toronto TTC
Montreal STM
Vancouver Translink
Daily
267
77
143
110
135
81
Weekly(where available)
307
571
350
450
262
322
Monthly(where available)
13
Mixed Signals 2018
Network DesignCommonalities
bull Strong ridership and mode share similar to other Canadian cities
bull Multi-decade history brings expansion goals into conflict with modern standards
bull Nearly all cities have regional commuter rail in addition to urban core service
Differencesbull 2nd-highest proportion of
tunneled transit increases costs and construction time
bull Lower number of lines reduces coverage and network benefits
bull Choosing extensions over new lines means small issues create large interruptions
There is no perfect or universal structure for the public transitnetwork But there are commonalities among many cities andlessons to be learned Network mobility and resilience is a keyfactor in increased commuter mode share and as we design ournetworks we should be thinking about how to address unservedneeds how to create an adaptable travel grid and how to benefitmost from network effects These are all essential characteristics ofa strong transit network
Political decisions affecting the efficiency of the network haveripple effects which impact riders across the network changingcommuter mode share non-peak ridership decisions and systemrevenue◼
A strong transit network serves a diversity ofdestinations and a diversity of riders There aremany aspects to the development of a networkwith good connectivity Simply put the networkmust connect to places people want to go
All cities in the study have multiple-mode localtransit and all offer regional rail except HoustonEvery agency examined has responsibility forsome private vehicle parking lots alongside theexpected bus and rail services while a few addon-call services ferries and even bike share
It is popular to contrast Torontorsquos subway networkwith New York Paris Chicago or Boston butToronto started building its rail network decadeslater Torontorsquos early investments have givenToronto a good foundation but it is disingenuousto contrast these cities without noting that theNew York City subway was essentially completebefore Toronto even started
Torontorsquos GO Train network provides wide
regional coverage and has built ridershipexceeding most other cities especially along itshigher-capacity Lakeshore lines
Torontorsquos local rail network is less complex withless coverage than many cities Downtown corestreetcar lines improve the network greatly butat low resilience due to mixed-traffic streetdesign When contrasted with every other city inthe study it is clear Torontorsquos heavy reliance ontwo very long rail lines is unusual Morecomplexity allows for greater networkconnectivity and adaptability The EglintonCrosstown LRT line will strengthen Torontorsquosnetwork considerably
Torontorsquos local transit has the highest ridershipof all systems in the study Unlike many othercities the most common mode of transit is thebus whose network connects well to the subwaysystem Indeed Torontorsquos subway is only busybecause of busy feeder buses given low densitynear most stations
It is notable that some of the busiest publictransit routes are found in suburban areas ofToronto (such as along Finch Avenue) Thisdemonstrates that it is possible to build strongtransit ridership in areas with lower density thatthe city core
Toronto also has the highest rate of transit use asa proportion of commuters of all metro areas inthe study This success is driven by transit use inand into Toronto Local transit use in cities outsideToronto remains quite low While it has a muchlower ridership that Toronto local transitsuburban use of regional rail is strong along thelakeshore
Good network infrastructure lays the foundationfor strong ridership but service frequency andreliability are more significant for building andretaining ridership in each corridor
14
Mixed Signals 2018
TerminologyTerms Description
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) High-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-way often but not always tunneled or elevated Example the TTC subway is Heavy Rail under North American terminology
Exclusive ROW LightIntermediate Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-wayExample the TTC ldquoScarborough RTrdquo is intermediate capacity and once in operation the Eglinton Crosstown will be over 50 exclusive right-of-way
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixture of rights-of-way including tunneled elevated and at-gradeExample the TTC 501 Queen streetcar at High Park operates in exclusive sections which are broken up by mixed-traffic intersections
Non-exclusive ROW (Streetcar Tram) Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixed-traffic environment subject to blockage by non-transit vehiclesExample the TTC 504 King streetcar shares its lane with passenger cars for almost its entire route despite being Torontorsquos single busiest surface transit line
Regional Rail Higher-speed heavy rail operating in an exclusive right-of-way at greater distances often connecting disparate citiesExample Metrolinx GO Transit
Unlinked Trips A single boarding of a single vehicleExample busgt subway gt bus = 3 unlinked trips
Linked Trips A series of boardings required to complete a single continuous journeyExample bus gt subway gt bus = 1 linked trip
15
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
726 km(792 in late 2020rsquos)
70(71 in late 2020rsquos)
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
64 km(164 in ~2022)
6(19 in ~2022)
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
232 km(432 in ~2022)
68(98 in ~2022)
Non-exclusive ROW(Streetcar Tram)
83 km ~300
Regional Rail (non-TTC)
452 km 66
Construction Note Lines 5 amp 6 scheduled to begin service in 2021-22 Line 3 to close in late 2020rsquos as new subway extension with one stop opens serving busiest Line 3 stop
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
TTC Heavy RailTTC Intermediate
TTC StreetcarsTTC BusGO Rail
Wheel-Trans
87730037800
2878001406800
20420013800
TTC Ridership (2017) 856953100 (unlinked trips APTA)535000000 (linked rides TTC)
16
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
681 km 62
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
37 km(439 in ~2022)
66(73 in ~2022)
Regional Rail 641 km 137
Construction Note Green Line light rail extension in progress
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Heavy RailLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
321000204000233100123100
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 387629600 (unlinked trips)
17
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 169 km 146
Regional Rail (non-CTA) 785 km 242
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
CTA Heavy RailCTA Bus
Metra Commuter RailPACE ParaTransit
729200805500285400
17600
CTA Ridership (2017 APTA) 479435200 (unlinked trips)
18
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Mode Length StationsStops
Semi-exclusive ROWLight Rail
365 km 39
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Light RailBus
ParaTransit
61100222800
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 88799300 (unlinked trips)
19
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
316 km 22
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
313 km 14
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
1101 km(1238 in
~2019)
68(76 in
~2019)
Regional Rail(non-Metro)
859 km 61
Construction Note New CrenshawLAX Light Rail line on west side of city scheduled to open in 2019
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
138500219900896400
3780010800
Metro Ridership (2017 APTA)
397489400 (unlinked trips)
20
Mixed Signals 2018
MontrealMode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 692 km 68
Regional Rail (non-STM) 2564 km 62
Construction Note Reacuteseau express meacutetropolitain (REM) light rail lines in the centre north and west of city scheduled to begin service in 2021
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayBus
Commuter RailParaTransit
1298400917000
8490013900
Ridership (2017 APTA) 643087600 (unlinked trips)
21
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston (MBTA)
$275 cash$225 fare card
Transfer Rules Rail to rail freeFirst transfer to other modes discounted within first two hours only
Fare Zones Single zone fare varies by mode
Separate Regional Fares
MBTA Commuter RailZone fares $225-$1250
Daily Pass $1200 (44x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2125 (77x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $8450 (307x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +22353 ($085 cash in 1998)
+22353
+5409
+5997
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
MBTA Fare USA Inflation Boston Inflation
5
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago (CTA)
$300 cash$250 fare card
Transfer Rules $025 for train or up to $030 for bus for up to 2 additional rides within 2 hours Only available using fare card
Fare Zones Single zone fare varies by mode Airport service +$500
Separate Regional Fares
Metra Commuter RailZone fares $4-$825
Daily Pass $1000 (33x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $3300 (11x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $10500 (35x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +6667 ($150 cash in 1998)
+6667
+5409
+4457
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
CTA Fare USA Inflation Chicago Inflation
6
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston (Metro)
$125 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules Free transfers up to three hours in any direction with fare card
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
Express Park amp Ride bus serviceZone fares $200-$450
Daily Pass $300 (24x cash fare)
Monthly Pass na
Weekly Pass na
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +15000 ($050 cash in 1998)
+15000
+5409
+5491
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Metro Fare USA Inflation Houston Inflation
7
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles (Metro)
$175 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules $050 for transfer to a non-Metro bus within 2 hours
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
Metrolink Commuter RailZone fares $275-$2750
Daily Pass $700 (4x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2500 (143x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $10000 (571x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +6360 ($135 cash in 1998)
+2963
+5409
+6360
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
LA Metro Fare USA Inflation LA Inflation
8
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal (STM)
$325 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules Single continuous trip (multi-vehicle)
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
EXO commuter bus and railZone fares $475-$975
Daily Pass $1000 (31x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2625 (81x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $8500 (262x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +7568 ($185 cash in 1998)
+7568
+4524
+3963
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
STM Fare Canada Inflation Quebec Inflation
9
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver (Translink)
$295-$570 cash (3 zones)$230-$440 fare card
Transfer Rules Free transfers for 90 minutes
Fare Zones 3 zones airport exit +$500
Separate Regional Fares
West Coast Express Commuter RailZone fares $625-$1245
Daily Pass $1025 (54x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass na
Monthly Pass $9500 (322x 1-zone cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +9667 ($150 cash in 1998)
+9667
+4524
+3608
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Translink Fare Canada Inflation BC Inflation
10
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC (WMATA)
$225-$600 cash or fare card (distance-based in peak hours)
Transfer Rules Train one single ride no transferBus free transfers up to two hours$050 discount if combining modes
Fare Zones Combination of distance and zone
Separate Regional Fares
MARC and VRE Commuter RailZone fares $340-$1300
Daily Pass $1475 (66x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass $6000 (267x 1-zone cash fare)
Monthly Pass na
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +10455 ($110 cash in 1998)
+10455
+5409
+6001
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Base Fare USA Inflation Wash DC Inflation
11
Mixed Signals 2018
Base Cash Fare vs Inflation 1998-2018
USA Inflation +5409
Canada Inflation +4524
Boston MBTA +22353
Chicago CTA +6667
Houston Metro +15000
LA Metro +2963
Montreal STM +7568
Vancouver Translink +9667Wash DC Metro +10455
1998 2018
Toronto TTC +8750
12
Mixed Signals 2018
Pass MultipliersNumber of Cash Fares to Match Pass Cost
66
44
40
33
24
39
31
54
Wash DC Metro
Boston MBTA
LA Metro
Chicago CTA
Houston Metro
Toronto TTC
Montreal STM
Vancouver Translink
Daily
267
77
143
110
135
81
Weekly(where available)
307
571
350
450
262
322
Monthly(where available)
13
Mixed Signals 2018
Network DesignCommonalities
bull Strong ridership and mode share similar to other Canadian cities
bull Multi-decade history brings expansion goals into conflict with modern standards
bull Nearly all cities have regional commuter rail in addition to urban core service
Differencesbull 2nd-highest proportion of
tunneled transit increases costs and construction time
bull Lower number of lines reduces coverage and network benefits
bull Choosing extensions over new lines means small issues create large interruptions
There is no perfect or universal structure for the public transitnetwork But there are commonalities among many cities andlessons to be learned Network mobility and resilience is a keyfactor in increased commuter mode share and as we design ournetworks we should be thinking about how to address unservedneeds how to create an adaptable travel grid and how to benefitmost from network effects These are all essential characteristics ofa strong transit network
Political decisions affecting the efficiency of the network haveripple effects which impact riders across the network changingcommuter mode share non-peak ridership decisions and systemrevenue◼
A strong transit network serves a diversity ofdestinations and a diversity of riders There aremany aspects to the development of a networkwith good connectivity Simply put the networkmust connect to places people want to go
All cities in the study have multiple-mode localtransit and all offer regional rail except HoustonEvery agency examined has responsibility forsome private vehicle parking lots alongside theexpected bus and rail services while a few addon-call services ferries and even bike share
It is popular to contrast Torontorsquos subway networkwith New York Paris Chicago or Boston butToronto started building its rail network decadeslater Torontorsquos early investments have givenToronto a good foundation but it is disingenuousto contrast these cities without noting that theNew York City subway was essentially completebefore Toronto even started
Torontorsquos GO Train network provides wide
regional coverage and has built ridershipexceeding most other cities especially along itshigher-capacity Lakeshore lines
Torontorsquos local rail network is less complex withless coverage than many cities Downtown corestreetcar lines improve the network greatly butat low resilience due to mixed-traffic streetdesign When contrasted with every other city inthe study it is clear Torontorsquos heavy reliance ontwo very long rail lines is unusual Morecomplexity allows for greater networkconnectivity and adaptability The EglintonCrosstown LRT line will strengthen Torontorsquosnetwork considerably
Torontorsquos local transit has the highest ridershipof all systems in the study Unlike many othercities the most common mode of transit is thebus whose network connects well to the subwaysystem Indeed Torontorsquos subway is only busybecause of busy feeder buses given low densitynear most stations
It is notable that some of the busiest publictransit routes are found in suburban areas ofToronto (such as along Finch Avenue) Thisdemonstrates that it is possible to build strongtransit ridership in areas with lower density thatthe city core
Toronto also has the highest rate of transit use asa proportion of commuters of all metro areas inthe study This success is driven by transit use inand into Toronto Local transit use in cities outsideToronto remains quite low While it has a muchlower ridership that Toronto local transitsuburban use of regional rail is strong along thelakeshore
Good network infrastructure lays the foundationfor strong ridership but service frequency andreliability are more significant for building andretaining ridership in each corridor
14
Mixed Signals 2018
TerminologyTerms Description
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) High-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-way often but not always tunneled or elevated Example the TTC subway is Heavy Rail under North American terminology
Exclusive ROW LightIntermediate Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-wayExample the TTC ldquoScarborough RTrdquo is intermediate capacity and once in operation the Eglinton Crosstown will be over 50 exclusive right-of-way
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixture of rights-of-way including tunneled elevated and at-gradeExample the TTC 501 Queen streetcar at High Park operates in exclusive sections which are broken up by mixed-traffic intersections
Non-exclusive ROW (Streetcar Tram) Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixed-traffic environment subject to blockage by non-transit vehiclesExample the TTC 504 King streetcar shares its lane with passenger cars for almost its entire route despite being Torontorsquos single busiest surface transit line
Regional Rail Higher-speed heavy rail operating in an exclusive right-of-way at greater distances often connecting disparate citiesExample Metrolinx GO Transit
Unlinked Trips A single boarding of a single vehicleExample busgt subway gt bus = 3 unlinked trips
Linked Trips A series of boardings required to complete a single continuous journeyExample bus gt subway gt bus = 1 linked trip
15
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
726 km(792 in late 2020rsquos)
70(71 in late 2020rsquos)
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
64 km(164 in ~2022)
6(19 in ~2022)
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
232 km(432 in ~2022)
68(98 in ~2022)
Non-exclusive ROW(Streetcar Tram)
83 km ~300
Regional Rail (non-TTC)
452 km 66
Construction Note Lines 5 amp 6 scheduled to begin service in 2021-22 Line 3 to close in late 2020rsquos as new subway extension with one stop opens serving busiest Line 3 stop
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
TTC Heavy RailTTC Intermediate
TTC StreetcarsTTC BusGO Rail
Wheel-Trans
87730037800
2878001406800
20420013800
TTC Ridership (2017) 856953100 (unlinked trips APTA)535000000 (linked rides TTC)
16
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
681 km 62
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
37 km(439 in ~2022)
66(73 in ~2022)
Regional Rail 641 km 137
Construction Note Green Line light rail extension in progress
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Heavy RailLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
321000204000233100123100
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 387629600 (unlinked trips)
17
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 169 km 146
Regional Rail (non-CTA) 785 km 242
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
CTA Heavy RailCTA Bus
Metra Commuter RailPACE ParaTransit
729200805500285400
17600
CTA Ridership (2017 APTA) 479435200 (unlinked trips)
18
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Mode Length StationsStops
Semi-exclusive ROWLight Rail
365 km 39
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Light RailBus
ParaTransit
61100222800
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 88799300 (unlinked trips)
19
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
316 km 22
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
313 km 14
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
1101 km(1238 in
~2019)
68(76 in
~2019)
Regional Rail(non-Metro)
859 km 61
Construction Note New CrenshawLAX Light Rail line on west side of city scheduled to open in 2019
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
138500219900896400
3780010800
Metro Ridership (2017 APTA)
397489400 (unlinked trips)
20
Mixed Signals 2018
MontrealMode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 692 km 68
Regional Rail (non-STM) 2564 km 62
Construction Note Reacuteseau express meacutetropolitain (REM) light rail lines in the centre north and west of city scheduled to begin service in 2021
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayBus
Commuter RailParaTransit
1298400917000
8490013900
Ridership (2017 APTA) 643087600 (unlinked trips)
21
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago (CTA)
$300 cash$250 fare card
Transfer Rules $025 for train or up to $030 for bus for up to 2 additional rides within 2 hours Only available using fare card
Fare Zones Single zone fare varies by mode Airport service +$500
Separate Regional Fares
Metra Commuter RailZone fares $4-$825
Daily Pass $1000 (33x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $3300 (11x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $10500 (35x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +6667 ($150 cash in 1998)
+6667
+5409
+4457
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
CTA Fare USA Inflation Chicago Inflation
6
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston (Metro)
$125 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules Free transfers up to three hours in any direction with fare card
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
Express Park amp Ride bus serviceZone fares $200-$450
Daily Pass $300 (24x cash fare)
Monthly Pass na
Weekly Pass na
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +15000 ($050 cash in 1998)
+15000
+5409
+5491
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Metro Fare USA Inflation Houston Inflation
7
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles (Metro)
$175 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules $050 for transfer to a non-Metro bus within 2 hours
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
Metrolink Commuter RailZone fares $275-$2750
Daily Pass $700 (4x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2500 (143x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $10000 (571x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +6360 ($135 cash in 1998)
+2963
+5409
+6360
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
LA Metro Fare USA Inflation LA Inflation
8
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal (STM)
$325 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules Single continuous trip (multi-vehicle)
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
EXO commuter bus and railZone fares $475-$975
Daily Pass $1000 (31x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2625 (81x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $8500 (262x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +7568 ($185 cash in 1998)
+7568
+4524
+3963
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
STM Fare Canada Inflation Quebec Inflation
9
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver (Translink)
$295-$570 cash (3 zones)$230-$440 fare card
Transfer Rules Free transfers for 90 minutes
Fare Zones 3 zones airport exit +$500
Separate Regional Fares
West Coast Express Commuter RailZone fares $625-$1245
Daily Pass $1025 (54x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass na
Monthly Pass $9500 (322x 1-zone cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +9667 ($150 cash in 1998)
+9667
+4524
+3608
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Translink Fare Canada Inflation BC Inflation
10
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC (WMATA)
$225-$600 cash or fare card (distance-based in peak hours)
Transfer Rules Train one single ride no transferBus free transfers up to two hours$050 discount if combining modes
Fare Zones Combination of distance and zone
Separate Regional Fares
MARC and VRE Commuter RailZone fares $340-$1300
Daily Pass $1475 (66x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass $6000 (267x 1-zone cash fare)
Monthly Pass na
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +10455 ($110 cash in 1998)
+10455
+5409
+6001
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Base Fare USA Inflation Wash DC Inflation
11
Mixed Signals 2018
Base Cash Fare vs Inflation 1998-2018
USA Inflation +5409
Canada Inflation +4524
Boston MBTA +22353
Chicago CTA +6667
Houston Metro +15000
LA Metro +2963
Montreal STM +7568
Vancouver Translink +9667Wash DC Metro +10455
1998 2018
Toronto TTC +8750
12
Mixed Signals 2018
Pass MultipliersNumber of Cash Fares to Match Pass Cost
66
44
40
33
24
39
31
54
Wash DC Metro
Boston MBTA
LA Metro
Chicago CTA
Houston Metro
Toronto TTC
Montreal STM
Vancouver Translink
Daily
267
77
143
110
135
81
Weekly(where available)
307
571
350
450
262
322
Monthly(where available)
13
Mixed Signals 2018
Network DesignCommonalities
bull Strong ridership and mode share similar to other Canadian cities
bull Multi-decade history brings expansion goals into conflict with modern standards
bull Nearly all cities have regional commuter rail in addition to urban core service
Differencesbull 2nd-highest proportion of
tunneled transit increases costs and construction time
bull Lower number of lines reduces coverage and network benefits
bull Choosing extensions over new lines means small issues create large interruptions
There is no perfect or universal structure for the public transitnetwork But there are commonalities among many cities andlessons to be learned Network mobility and resilience is a keyfactor in increased commuter mode share and as we design ournetworks we should be thinking about how to address unservedneeds how to create an adaptable travel grid and how to benefitmost from network effects These are all essential characteristics ofa strong transit network
Political decisions affecting the efficiency of the network haveripple effects which impact riders across the network changingcommuter mode share non-peak ridership decisions and systemrevenue◼
A strong transit network serves a diversity ofdestinations and a diversity of riders There aremany aspects to the development of a networkwith good connectivity Simply put the networkmust connect to places people want to go
All cities in the study have multiple-mode localtransit and all offer regional rail except HoustonEvery agency examined has responsibility forsome private vehicle parking lots alongside theexpected bus and rail services while a few addon-call services ferries and even bike share
It is popular to contrast Torontorsquos subway networkwith New York Paris Chicago or Boston butToronto started building its rail network decadeslater Torontorsquos early investments have givenToronto a good foundation but it is disingenuousto contrast these cities without noting that theNew York City subway was essentially completebefore Toronto even started
Torontorsquos GO Train network provides wide
regional coverage and has built ridershipexceeding most other cities especially along itshigher-capacity Lakeshore lines
Torontorsquos local rail network is less complex withless coverage than many cities Downtown corestreetcar lines improve the network greatly butat low resilience due to mixed-traffic streetdesign When contrasted with every other city inthe study it is clear Torontorsquos heavy reliance ontwo very long rail lines is unusual Morecomplexity allows for greater networkconnectivity and adaptability The EglintonCrosstown LRT line will strengthen Torontorsquosnetwork considerably
Torontorsquos local transit has the highest ridershipof all systems in the study Unlike many othercities the most common mode of transit is thebus whose network connects well to the subwaysystem Indeed Torontorsquos subway is only busybecause of busy feeder buses given low densitynear most stations
It is notable that some of the busiest publictransit routes are found in suburban areas ofToronto (such as along Finch Avenue) Thisdemonstrates that it is possible to build strongtransit ridership in areas with lower density thatthe city core
Toronto also has the highest rate of transit use asa proportion of commuters of all metro areas inthe study This success is driven by transit use inand into Toronto Local transit use in cities outsideToronto remains quite low While it has a muchlower ridership that Toronto local transitsuburban use of regional rail is strong along thelakeshore
Good network infrastructure lays the foundationfor strong ridership but service frequency andreliability are more significant for building andretaining ridership in each corridor
14
Mixed Signals 2018
TerminologyTerms Description
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) High-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-way often but not always tunneled or elevated Example the TTC subway is Heavy Rail under North American terminology
Exclusive ROW LightIntermediate Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-wayExample the TTC ldquoScarborough RTrdquo is intermediate capacity and once in operation the Eglinton Crosstown will be over 50 exclusive right-of-way
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixture of rights-of-way including tunneled elevated and at-gradeExample the TTC 501 Queen streetcar at High Park operates in exclusive sections which are broken up by mixed-traffic intersections
Non-exclusive ROW (Streetcar Tram) Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixed-traffic environment subject to blockage by non-transit vehiclesExample the TTC 504 King streetcar shares its lane with passenger cars for almost its entire route despite being Torontorsquos single busiest surface transit line
Regional Rail Higher-speed heavy rail operating in an exclusive right-of-way at greater distances often connecting disparate citiesExample Metrolinx GO Transit
Unlinked Trips A single boarding of a single vehicleExample busgt subway gt bus = 3 unlinked trips
Linked Trips A series of boardings required to complete a single continuous journeyExample bus gt subway gt bus = 1 linked trip
15
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
726 km(792 in late 2020rsquos)
70(71 in late 2020rsquos)
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
64 km(164 in ~2022)
6(19 in ~2022)
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
232 km(432 in ~2022)
68(98 in ~2022)
Non-exclusive ROW(Streetcar Tram)
83 km ~300
Regional Rail (non-TTC)
452 km 66
Construction Note Lines 5 amp 6 scheduled to begin service in 2021-22 Line 3 to close in late 2020rsquos as new subway extension with one stop opens serving busiest Line 3 stop
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
TTC Heavy RailTTC Intermediate
TTC StreetcarsTTC BusGO Rail
Wheel-Trans
87730037800
2878001406800
20420013800
TTC Ridership (2017) 856953100 (unlinked trips APTA)535000000 (linked rides TTC)
16
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
681 km 62
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
37 km(439 in ~2022)
66(73 in ~2022)
Regional Rail 641 km 137
Construction Note Green Line light rail extension in progress
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Heavy RailLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
321000204000233100123100
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 387629600 (unlinked trips)
17
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 169 km 146
Regional Rail (non-CTA) 785 km 242
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
CTA Heavy RailCTA Bus
Metra Commuter RailPACE ParaTransit
729200805500285400
17600
CTA Ridership (2017 APTA) 479435200 (unlinked trips)
18
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Mode Length StationsStops
Semi-exclusive ROWLight Rail
365 km 39
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Light RailBus
ParaTransit
61100222800
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 88799300 (unlinked trips)
19
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
316 km 22
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
313 km 14
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
1101 km(1238 in
~2019)
68(76 in
~2019)
Regional Rail(non-Metro)
859 km 61
Construction Note New CrenshawLAX Light Rail line on west side of city scheduled to open in 2019
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
138500219900896400
3780010800
Metro Ridership (2017 APTA)
397489400 (unlinked trips)
20
Mixed Signals 2018
MontrealMode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 692 km 68
Regional Rail (non-STM) 2564 km 62
Construction Note Reacuteseau express meacutetropolitain (REM) light rail lines in the centre north and west of city scheduled to begin service in 2021
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayBus
Commuter RailParaTransit
1298400917000
8490013900
Ridership (2017 APTA) 643087600 (unlinked trips)
21
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston (Metro)
$125 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules Free transfers up to three hours in any direction with fare card
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
Express Park amp Ride bus serviceZone fares $200-$450
Daily Pass $300 (24x cash fare)
Monthly Pass na
Weekly Pass na
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +15000 ($050 cash in 1998)
+15000
+5409
+5491
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Metro Fare USA Inflation Houston Inflation
7
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles (Metro)
$175 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules $050 for transfer to a non-Metro bus within 2 hours
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
Metrolink Commuter RailZone fares $275-$2750
Daily Pass $700 (4x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2500 (143x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $10000 (571x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +6360 ($135 cash in 1998)
+2963
+5409
+6360
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
LA Metro Fare USA Inflation LA Inflation
8
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal (STM)
$325 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules Single continuous trip (multi-vehicle)
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
EXO commuter bus and railZone fares $475-$975
Daily Pass $1000 (31x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2625 (81x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $8500 (262x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +7568 ($185 cash in 1998)
+7568
+4524
+3963
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
STM Fare Canada Inflation Quebec Inflation
9
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver (Translink)
$295-$570 cash (3 zones)$230-$440 fare card
Transfer Rules Free transfers for 90 minutes
Fare Zones 3 zones airport exit +$500
Separate Regional Fares
West Coast Express Commuter RailZone fares $625-$1245
Daily Pass $1025 (54x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass na
Monthly Pass $9500 (322x 1-zone cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +9667 ($150 cash in 1998)
+9667
+4524
+3608
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Translink Fare Canada Inflation BC Inflation
10
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC (WMATA)
$225-$600 cash or fare card (distance-based in peak hours)
Transfer Rules Train one single ride no transferBus free transfers up to two hours$050 discount if combining modes
Fare Zones Combination of distance and zone
Separate Regional Fares
MARC and VRE Commuter RailZone fares $340-$1300
Daily Pass $1475 (66x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass $6000 (267x 1-zone cash fare)
Monthly Pass na
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +10455 ($110 cash in 1998)
+10455
+5409
+6001
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Base Fare USA Inflation Wash DC Inflation
11
Mixed Signals 2018
Base Cash Fare vs Inflation 1998-2018
USA Inflation +5409
Canada Inflation +4524
Boston MBTA +22353
Chicago CTA +6667
Houston Metro +15000
LA Metro +2963
Montreal STM +7568
Vancouver Translink +9667Wash DC Metro +10455
1998 2018
Toronto TTC +8750
12
Mixed Signals 2018
Pass MultipliersNumber of Cash Fares to Match Pass Cost
66
44
40
33
24
39
31
54
Wash DC Metro
Boston MBTA
LA Metro
Chicago CTA
Houston Metro
Toronto TTC
Montreal STM
Vancouver Translink
Daily
267
77
143
110
135
81
Weekly(where available)
307
571
350
450
262
322
Monthly(where available)
13
Mixed Signals 2018
Network DesignCommonalities
bull Strong ridership and mode share similar to other Canadian cities
bull Multi-decade history brings expansion goals into conflict with modern standards
bull Nearly all cities have regional commuter rail in addition to urban core service
Differencesbull 2nd-highest proportion of
tunneled transit increases costs and construction time
bull Lower number of lines reduces coverage and network benefits
bull Choosing extensions over new lines means small issues create large interruptions
There is no perfect or universal structure for the public transitnetwork But there are commonalities among many cities andlessons to be learned Network mobility and resilience is a keyfactor in increased commuter mode share and as we design ournetworks we should be thinking about how to address unservedneeds how to create an adaptable travel grid and how to benefitmost from network effects These are all essential characteristics ofa strong transit network
Political decisions affecting the efficiency of the network haveripple effects which impact riders across the network changingcommuter mode share non-peak ridership decisions and systemrevenue◼
A strong transit network serves a diversity ofdestinations and a diversity of riders There aremany aspects to the development of a networkwith good connectivity Simply put the networkmust connect to places people want to go
All cities in the study have multiple-mode localtransit and all offer regional rail except HoustonEvery agency examined has responsibility forsome private vehicle parking lots alongside theexpected bus and rail services while a few addon-call services ferries and even bike share
It is popular to contrast Torontorsquos subway networkwith New York Paris Chicago or Boston butToronto started building its rail network decadeslater Torontorsquos early investments have givenToronto a good foundation but it is disingenuousto contrast these cities without noting that theNew York City subway was essentially completebefore Toronto even started
Torontorsquos GO Train network provides wide
regional coverage and has built ridershipexceeding most other cities especially along itshigher-capacity Lakeshore lines
Torontorsquos local rail network is less complex withless coverage than many cities Downtown corestreetcar lines improve the network greatly butat low resilience due to mixed-traffic streetdesign When contrasted with every other city inthe study it is clear Torontorsquos heavy reliance ontwo very long rail lines is unusual Morecomplexity allows for greater networkconnectivity and adaptability The EglintonCrosstown LRT line will strengthen Torontorsquosnetwork considerably
Torontorsquos local transit has the highest ridershipof all systems in the study Unlike many othercities the most common mode of transit is thebus whose network connects well to the subwaysystem Indeed Torontorsquos subway is only busybecause of busy feeder buses given low densitynear most stations
It is notable that some of the busiest publictransit routes are found in suburban areas ofToronto (such as along Finch Avenue) Thisdemonstrates that it is possible to build strongtransit ridership in areas with lower density thatthe city core
Toronto also has the highest rate of transit use asa proportion of commuters of all metro areas inthe study This success is driven by transit use inand into Toronto Local transit use in cities outsideToronto remains quite low While it has a muchlower ridership that Toronto local transitsuburban use of regional rail is strong along thelakeshore
Good network infrastructure lays the foundationfor strong ridership but service frequency andreliability are more significant for building andretaining ridership in each corridor
14
Mixed Signals 2018
TerminologyTerms Description
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) High-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-way often but not always tunneled or elevated Example the TTC subway is Heavy Rail under North American terminology
Exclusive ROW LightIntermediate Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-wayExample the TTC ldquoScarborough RTrdquo is intermediate capacity and once in operation the Eglinton Crosstown will be over 50 exclusive right-of-way
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixture of rights-of-way including tunneled elevated and at-gradeExample the TTC 501 Queen streetcar at High Park operates in exclusive sections which are broken up by mixed-traffic intersections
Non-exclusive ROW (Streetcar Tram) Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixed-traffic environment subject to blockage by non-transit vehiclesExample the TTC 504 King streetcar shares its lane with passenger cars for almost its entire route despite being Torontorsquos single busiest surface transit line
Regional Rail Higher-speed heavy rail operating in an exclusive right-of-way at greater distances often connecting disparate citiesExample Metrolinx GO Transit
Unlinked Trips A single boarding of a single vehicleExample busgt subway gt bus = 3 unlinked trips
Linked Trips A series of boardings required to complete a single continuous journeyExample bus gt subway gt bus = 1 linked trip
15
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
726 km(792 in late 2020rsquos)
70(71 in late 2020rsquos)
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
64 km(164 in ~2022)
6(19 in ~2022)
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
232 km(432 in ~2022)
68(98 in ~2022)
Non-exclusive ROW(Streetcar Tram)
83 km ~300
Regional Rail (non-TTC)
452 km 66
Construction Note Lines 5 amp 6 scheduled to begin service in 2021-22 Line 3 to close in late 2020rsquos as new subway extension with one stop opens serving busiest Line 3 stop
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
TTC Heavy RailTTC Intermediate
TTC StreetcarsTTC BusGO Rail
Wheel-Trans
87730037800
2878001406800
20420013800
TTC Ridership (2017) 856953100 (unlinked trips APTA)535000000 (linked rides TTC)
16
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
681 km 62
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
37 km(439 in ~2022)
66(73 in ~2022)
Regional Rail 641 km 137
Construction Note Green Line light rail extension in progress
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Heavy RailLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
321000204000233100123100
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 387629600 (unlinked trips)
17
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 169 km 146
Regional Rail (non-CTA) 785 km 242
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
CTA Heavy RailCTA Bus
Metra Commuter RailPACE ParaTransit
729200805500285400
17600
CTA Ridership (2017 APTA) 479435200 (unlinked trips)
18
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Mode Length StationsStops
Semi-exclusive ROWLight Rail
365 km 39
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Light RailBus
ParaTransit
61100222800
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 88799300 (unlinked trips)
19
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
316 km 22
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
313 km 14
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
1101 km(1238 in
~2019)
68(76 in
~2019)
Regional Rail(non-Metro)
859 km 61
Construction Note New CrenshawLAX Light Rail line on west side of city scheduled to open in 2019
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
138500219900896400
3780010800
Metro Ridership (2017 APTA)
397489400 (unlinked trips)
20
Mixed Signals 2018
MontrealMode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 692 km 68
Regional Rail (non-STM) 2564 km 62
Construction Note Reacuteseau express meacutetropolitain (REM) light rail lines in the centre north and west of city scheduled to begin service in 2021
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayBus
Commuter RailParaTransit
1298400917000
8490013900
Ridership (2017 APTA) 643087600 (unlinked trips)
21
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles (Metro)
$175 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules $050 for transfer to a non-Metro bus within 2 hours
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
Metrolink Commuter RailZone fares $275-$2750
Daily Pass $700 (4x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2500 (143x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $10000 (571x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +6360 ($135 cash in 1998)
+2963
+5409
+6360
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
LA Metro Fare USA Inflation LA Inflation
8
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal (STM)
$325 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules Single continuous trip (multi-vehicle)
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
EXO commuter bus and railZone fares $475-$975
Daily Pass $1000 (31x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2625 (81x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $8500 (262x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +7568 ($185 cash in 1998)
+7568
+4524
+3963
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
STM Fare Canada Inflation Quebec Inflation
9
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver (Translink)
$295-$570 cash (3 zones)$230-$440 fare card
Transfer Rules Free transfers for 90 minutes
Fare Zones 3 zones airport exit +$500
Separate Regional Fares
West Coast Express Commuter RailZone fares $625-$1245
Daily Pass $1025 (54x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass na
Monthly Pass $9500 (322x 1-zone cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +9667 ($150 cash in 1998)
+9667
+4524
+3608
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Translink Fare Canada Inflation BC Inflation
10
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC (WMATA)
$225-$600 cash or fare card (distance-based in peak hours)
Transfer Rules Train one single ride no transferBus free transfers up to two hours$050 discount if combining modes
Fare Zones Combination of distance and zone
Separate Regional Fares
MARC and VRE Commuter RailZone fares $340-$1300
Daily Pass $1475 (66x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass $6000 (267x 1-zone cash fare)
Monthly Pass na
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +10455 ($110 cash in 1998)
+10455
+5409
+6001
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Base Fare USA Inflation Wash DC Inflation
11
Mixed Signals 2018
Base Cash Fare vs Inflation 1998-2018
USA Inflation +5409
Canada Inflation +4524
Boston MBTA +22353
Chicago CTA +6667
Houston Metro +15000
LA Metro +2963
Montreal STM +7568
Vancouver Translink +9667Wash DC Metro +10455
1998 2018
Toronto TTC +8750
12
Mixed Signals 2018
Pass MultipliersNumber of Cash Fares to Match Pass Cost
66
44
40
33
24
39
31
54
Wash DC Metro
Boston MBTA
LA Metro
Chicago CTA
Houston Metro
Toronto TTC
Montreal STM
Vancouver Translink
Daily
267
77
143
110
135
81
Weekly(where available)
307
571
350
450
262
322
Monthly(where available)
13
Mixed Signals 2018
Network DesignCommonalities
bull Strong ridership and mode share similar to other Canadian cities
bull Multi-decade history brings expansion goals into conflict with modern standards
bull Nearly all cities have regional commuter rail in addition to urban core service
Differencesbull 2nd-highest proportion of
tunneled transit increases costs and construction time
bull Lower number of lines reduces coverage and network benefits
bull Choosing extensions over new lines means small issues create large interruptions
There is no perfect or universal structure for the public transitnetwork But there are commonalities among many cities andlessons to be learned Network mobility and resilience is a keyfactor in increased commuter mode share and as we design ournetworks we should be thinking about how to address unservedneeds how to create an adaptable travel grid and how to benefitmost from network effects These are all essential characteristics ofa strong transit network
Political decisions affecting the efficiency of the network haveripple effects which impact riders across the network changingcommuter mode share non-peak ridership decisions and systemrevenue◼
A strong transit network serves a diversity ofdestinations and a diversity of riders There aremany aspects to the development of a networkwith good connectivity Simply put the networkmust connect to places people want to go
All cities in the study have multiple-mode localtransit and all offer regional rail except HoustonEvery agency examined has responsibility forsome private vehicle parking lots alongside theexpected bus and rail services while a few addon-call services ferries and even bike share
It is popular to contrast Torontorsquos subway networkwith New York Paris Chicago or Boston butToronto started building its rail network decadeslater Torontorsquos early investments have givenToronto a good foundation but it is disingenuousto contrast these cities without noting that theNew York City subway was essentially completebefore Toronto even started
Torontorsquos GO Train network provides wide
regional coverage and has built ridershipexceeding most other cities especially along itshigher-capacity Lakeshore lines
Torontorsquos local rail network is less complex withless coverage than many cities Downtown corestreetcar lines improve the network greatly butat low resilience due to mixed-traffic streetdesign When contrasted with every other city inthe study it is clear Torontorsquos heavy reliance ontwo very long rail lines is unusual Morecomplexity allows for greater networkconnectivity and adaptability The EglintonCrosstown LRT line will strengthen Torontorsquosnetwork considerably
Torontorsquos local transit has the highest ridershipof all systems in the study Unlike many othercities the most common mode of transit is thebus whose network connects well to the subwaysystem Indeed Torontorsquos subway is only busybecause of busy feeder buses given low densitynear most stations
It is notable that some of the busiest publictransit routes are found in suburban areas ofToronto (such as along Finch Avenue) Thisdemonstrates that it is possible to build strongtransit ridership in areas with lower density thatthe city core
Toronto also has the highest rate of transit use asa proportion of commuters of all metro areas inthe study This success is driven by transit use inand into Toronto Local transit use in cities outsideToronto remains quite low While it has a muchlower ridership that Toronto local transitsuburban use of regional rail is strong along thelakeshore
Good network infrastructure lays the foundationfor strong ridership but service frequency andreliability are more significant for building andretaining ridership in each corridor
14
Mixed Signals 2018
TerminologyTerms Description
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) High-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-way often but not always tunneled or elevated Example the TTC subway is Heavy Rail under North American terminology
Exclusive ROW LightIntermediate Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-wayExample the TTC ldquoScarborough RTrdquo is intermediate capacity and once in operation the Eglinton Crosstown will be over 50 exclusive right-of-way
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixture of rights-of-way including tunneled elevated and at-gradeExample the TTC 501 Queen streetcar at High Park operates in exclusive sections which are broken up by mixed-traffic intersections
Non-exclusive ROW (Streetcar Tram) Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixed-traffic environment subject to blockage by non-transit vehiclesExample the TTC 504 King streetcar shares its lane with passenger cars for almost its entire route despite being Torontorsquos single busiest surface transit line
Regional Rail Higher-speed heavy rail operating in an exclusive right-of-way at greater distances often connecting disparate citiesExample Metrolinx GO Transit
Unlinked Trips A single boarding of a single vehicleExample busgt subway gt bus = 3 unlinked trips
Linked Trips A series of boardings required to complete a single continuous journeyExample bus gt subway gt bus = 1 linked trip
15
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
726 km(792 in late 2020rsquos)
70(71 in late 2020rsquos)
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
64 km(164 in ~2022)
6(19 in ~2022)
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
232 km(432 in ~2022)
68(98 in ~2022)
Non-exclusive ROW(Streetcar Tram)
83 km ~300
Regional Rail (non-TTC)
452 km 66
Construction Note Lines 5 amp 6 scheduled to begin service in 2021-22 Line 3 to close in late 2020rsquos as new subway extension with one stop opens serving busiest Line 3 stop
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
TTC Heavy RailTTC Intermediate
TTC StreetcarsTTC BusGO Rail
Wheel-Trans
87730037800
2878001406800
20420013800
TTC Ridership (2017) 856953100 (unlinked trips APTA)535000000 (linked rides TTC)
16
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
681 km 62
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
37 km(439 in ~2022)
66(73 in ~2022)
Regional Rail 641 km 137
Construction Note Green Line light rail extension in progress
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Heavy RailLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
321000204000233100123100
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 387629600 (unlinked trips)
17
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 169 km 146
Regional Rail (non-CTA) 785 km 242
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
CTA Heavy RailCTA Bus
Metra Commuter RailPACE ParaTransit
729200805500285400
17600
CTA Ridership (2017 APTA) 479435200 (unlinked trips)
18
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Mode Length StationsStops
Semi-exclusive ROWLight Rail
365 km 39
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Light RailBus
ParaTransit
61100222800
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 88799300 (unlinked trips)
19
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
316 km 22
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
313 km 14
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
1101 km(1238 in
~2019)
68(76 in
~2019)
Regional Rail(non-Metro)
859 km 61
Construction Note New CrenshawLAX Light Rail line on west side of city scheduled to open in 2019
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
138500219900896400
3780010800
Metro Ridership (2017 APTA)
397489400 (unlinked trips)
20
Mixed Signals 2018
MontrealMode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 692 km 68
Regional Rail (non-STM) 2564 km 62
Construction Note Reacuteseau express meacutetropolitain (REM) light rail lines in the centre north and west of city scheduled to begin service in 2021
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayBus
Commuter RailParaTransit
1298400917000
8490013900
Ridership (2017 APTA) 643087600 (unlinked trips)
21
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal (STM)
$325 cash or fare card
Transfer Rules Single continuous trip (multi-vehicle)
Fare Zones Single zone single fare
Separate Regional Fares
EXO commuter bus and railZone fares $475-$975
Daily Pass $1000 (31x cash fare)
Weekly Pass $2625 (81x cash fare)
Monthly Pass $8500 (262x cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +7568 ($185 cash in 1998)
+7568
+4524
+3963
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
STM Fare Canada Inflation Quebec Inflation
9
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver (Translink)
$295-$570 cash (3 zones)$230-$440 fare card
Transfer Rules Free transfers for 90 minutes
Fare Zones 3 zones airport exit +$500
Separate Regional Fares
West Coast Express Commuter RailZone fares $625-$1245
Daily Pass $1025 (54x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass na
Monthly Pass $9500 (322x 1-zone cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +9667 ($150 cash in 1998)
+9667
+4524
+3608
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Translink Fare Canada Inflation BC Inflation
10
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC (WMATA)
$225-$600 cash or fare card (distance-based in peak hours)
Transfer Rules Train one single ride no transferBus free transfers up to two hours$050 discount if combining modes
Fare Zones Combination of distance and zone
Separate Regional Fares
MARC and VRE Commuter RailZone fares $340-$1300
Daily Pass $1475 (66x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass $6000 (267x 1-zone cash fare)
Monthly Pass na
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +10455 ($110 cash in 1998)
+10455
+5409
+6001
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Base Fare USA Inflation Wash DC Inflation
11
Mixed Signals 2018
Base Cash Fare vs Inflation 1998-2018
USA Inflation +5409
Canada Inflation +4524
Boston MBTA +22353
Chicago CTA +6667
Houston Metro +15000
LA Metro +2963
Montreal STM +7568
Vancouver Translink +9667Wash DC Metro +10455
1998 2018
Toronto TTC +8750
12
Mixed Signals 2018
Pass MultipliersNumber of Cash Fares to Match Pass Cost
66
44
40
33
24
39
31
54
Wash DC Metro
Boston MBTA
LA Metro
Chicago CTA
Houston Metro
Toronto TTC
Montreal STM
Vancouver Translink
Daily
267
77
143
110
135
81
Weekly(where available)
307
571
350
450
262
322
Monthly(where available)
13
Mixed Signals 2018
Network DesignCommonalities
bull Strong ridership and mode share similar to other Canadian cities
bull Multi-decade history brings expansion goals into conflict with modern standards
bull Nearly all cities have regional commuter rail in addition to urban core service
Differencesbull 2nd-highest proportion of
tunneled transit increases costs and construction time
bull Lower number of lines reduces coverage and network benefits
bull Choosing extensions over new lines means small issues create large interruptions
There is no perfect or universal structure for the public transitnetwork But there are commonalities among many cities andlessons to be learned Network mobility and resilience is a keyfactor in increased commuter mode share and as we design ournetworks we should be thinking about how to address unservedneeds how to create an adaptable travel grid and how to benefitmost from network effects These are all essential characteristics ofa strong transit network
Political decisions affecting the efficiency of the network haveripple effects which impact riders across the network changingcommuter mode share non-peak ridership decisions and systemrevenue◼
A strong transit network serves a diversity ofdestinations and a diversity of riders There aremany aspects to the development of a networkwith good connectivity Simply put the networkmust connect to places people want to go
All cities in the study have multiple-mode localtransit and all offer regional rail except HoustonEvery agency examined has responsibility forsome private vehicle parking lots alongside theexpected bus and rail services while a few addon-call services ferries and even bike share
It is popular to contrast Torontorsquos subway networkwith New York Paris Chicago or Boston butToronto started building its rail network decadeslater Torontorsquos early investments have givenToronto a good foundation but it is disingenuousto contrast these cities without noting that theNew York City subway was essentially completebefore Toronto even started
Torontorsquos GO Train network provides wide
regional coverage and has built ridershipexceeding most other cities especially along itshigher-capacity Lakeshore lines
Torontorsquos local rail network is less complex withless coverage than many cities Downtown corestreetcar lines improve the network greatly butat low resilience due to mixed-traffic streetdesign When contrasted with every other city inthe study it is clear Torontorsquos heavy reliance ontwo very long rail lines is unusual Morecomplexity allows for greater networkconnectivity and adaptability The EglintonCrosstown LRT line will strengthen Torontorsquosnetwork considerably
Torontorsquos local transit has the highest ridershipof all systems in the study Unlike many othercities the most common mode of transit is thebus whose network connects well to the subwaysystem Indeed Torontorsquos subway is only busybecause of busy feeder buses given low densitynear most stations
It is notable that some of the busiest publictransit routes are found in suburban areas ofToronto (such as along Finch Avenue) Thisdemonstrates that it is possible to build strongtransit ridership in areas with lower density thatthe city core
Toronto also has the highest rate of transit use asa proportion of commuters of all metro areas inthe study This success is driven by transit use inand into Toronto Local transit use in cities outsideToronto remains quite low While it has a muchlower ridership that Toronto local transitsuburban use of regional rail is strong along thelakeshore
Good network infrastructure lays the foundationfor strong ridership but service frequency andreliability are more significant for building andretaining ridership in each corridor
14
Mixed Signals 2018
TerminologyTerms Description
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) High-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-way often but not always tunneled or elevated Example the TTC subway is Heavy Rail under North American terminology
Exclusive ROW LightIntermediate Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-wayExample the TTC ldquoScarborough RTrdquo is intermediate capacity and once in operation the Eglinton Crosstown will be over 50 exclusive right-of-way
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixture of rights-of-way including tunneled elevated and at-gradeExample the TTC 501 Queen streetcar at High Park operates in exclusive sections which are broken up by mixed-traffic intersections
Non-exclusive ROW (Streetcar Tram) Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixed-traffic environment subject to blockage by non-transit vehiclesExample the TTC 504 King streetcar shares its lane with passenger cars for almost its entire route despite being Torontorsquos single busiest surface transit line
Regional Rail Higher-speed heavy rail operating in an exclusive right-of-way at greater distances often connecting disparate citiesExample Metrolinx GO Transit
Unlinked Trips A single boarding of a single vehicleExample busgt subway gt bus = 3 unlinked trips
Linked Trips A series of boardings required to complete a single continuous journeyExample bus gt subway gt bus = 1 linked trip
15
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
726 km(792 in late 2020rsquos)
70(71 in late 2020rsquos)
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
64 km(164 in ~2022)
6(19 in ~2022)
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
232 km(432 in ~2022)
68(98 in ~2022)
Non-exclusive ROW(Streetcar Tram)
83 km ~300
Regional Rail (non-TTC)
452 km 66
Construction Note Lines 5 amp 6 scheduled to begin service in 2021-22 Line 3 to close in late 2020rsquos as new subway extension with one stop opens serving busiest Line 3 stop
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
TTC Heavy RailTTC Intermediate
TTC StreetcarsTTC BusGO Rail
Wheel-Trans
87730037800
2878001406800
20420013800
TTC Ridership (2017) 856953100 (unlinked trips APTA)535000000 (linked rides TTC)
16
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
681 km 62
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
37 km(439 in ~2022)
66(73 in ~2022)
Regional Rail 641 km 137
Construction Note Green Line light rail extension in progress
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Heavy RailLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
321000204000233100123100
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 387629600 (unlinked trips)
17
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 169 km 146
Regional Rail (non-CTA) 785 km 242
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
CTA Heavy RailCTA Bus
Metra Commuter RailPACE ParaTransit
729200805500285400
17600
CTA Ridership (2017 APTA) 479435200 (unlinked trips)
18
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Mode Length StationsStops
Semi-exclusive ROWLight Rail
365 km 39
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Light RailBus
ParaTransit
61100222800
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 88799300 (unlinked trips)
19
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
316 km 22
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
313 km 14
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
1101 km(1238 in
~2019)
68(76 in
~2019)
Regional Rail(non-Metro)
859 km 61
Construction Note New CrenshawLAX Light Rail line on west side of city scheduled to open in 2019
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
138500219900896400
3780010800
Metro Ridership (2017 APTA)
397489400 (unlinked trips)
20
Mixed Signals 2018
MontrealMode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 692 km 68
Regional Rail (non-STM) 2564 km 62
Construction Note Reacuteseau express meacutetropolitain (REM) light rail lines in the centre north and west of city scheduled to begin service in 2021
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayBus
Commuter RailParaTransit
1298400917000
8490013900
Ridership (2017 APTA) 643087600 (unlinked trips)
21
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver (Translink)
$295-$570 cash (3 zones)$230-$440 fare card
Transfer Rules Free transfers for 90 minutes
Fare Zones 3 zones airport exit +$500
Separate Regional Fares
West Coast Express Commuter RailZone fares $625-$1245
Daily Pass $1025 (54x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass na
Monthly Pass $9500 (322x 1-zone cash fare)
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +9667 ($150 cash in 1998)
+9667
+4524
+3608
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Translink Fare Canada Inflation BC Inflation
10
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC (WMATA)
$225-$600 cash or fare card (distance-based in peak hours)
Transfer Rules Train one single ride no transferBus free transfers up to two hours$050 discount if combining modes
Fare Zones Combination of distance and zone
Separate Regional Fares
MARC and VRE Commuter RailZone fares $340-$1300
Daily Pass $1475 (66x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass $6000 (267x 1-zone cash fare)
Monthly Pass na
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +10455 ($110 cash in 1998)
+10455
+5409
+6001
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Base Fare USA Inflation Wash DC Inflation
11
Mixed Signals 2018
Base Cash Fare vs Inflation 1998-2018
USA Inflation +5409
Canada Inflation +4524
Boston MBTA +22353
Chicago CTA +6667
Houston Metro +15000
LA Metro +2963
Montreal STM +7568
Vancouver Translink +9667Wash DC Metro +10455
1998 2018
Toronto TTC +8750
12
Mixed Signals 2018
Pass MultipliersNumber of Cash Fares to Match Pass Cost
66
44
40
33
24
39
31
54
Wash DC Metro
Boston MBTA
LA Metro
Chicago CTA
Houston Metro
Toronto TTC
Montreal STM
Vancouver Translink
Daily
267
77
143
110
135
81
Weekly(where available)
307
571
350
450
262
322
Monthly(where available)
13
Mixed Signals 2018
Network DesignCommonalities
bull Strong ridership and mode share similar to other Canadian cities
bull Multi-decade history brings expansion goals into conflict with modern standards
bull Nearly all cities have regional commuter rail in addition to urban core service
Differencesbull 2nd-highest proportion of
tunneled transit increases costs and construction time
bull Lower number of lines reduces coverage and network benefits
bull Choosing extensions over new lines means small issues create large interruptions
There is no perfect or universal structure for the public transitnetwork But there are commonalities among many cities andlessons to be learned Network mobility and resilience is a keyfactor in increased commuter mode share and as we design ournetworks we should be thinking about how to address unservedneeds how to create an adaptable travel grid and how to benefitmost from network effects These are all essential characteristics ofa strong transit network
Political decisions affecting the efficiency of the network haveripple effects which impact riders across the network changingcommuter mode share non-peak ridership decisions and systemrevenue◼
A strong transit network serves a diversity ofdestinations and a diversity of riders There aremany aspects to the development of a networkwith good connectivity Simply put the networkmust connect to places people want to go
All cities in the study have multiple-mode localtransit and all offer regional rail except HoustonEvery agency examined has responsibility forsome private vehicle parking lots alongside theexpected bus and rail services while a few addon-call services ferries and even bike share
It is popular to contrast Torontorsquos subway networkwith New York Paris Chicago or Boston butToronto started building its rail network decadeslater Torontorsquos early investments have givenToronto a good foundation but it is disingenuousto contrast these cities without noting that theNew York City subway was essentially completebefore Toronto even started
Torontorsquos GO Train network provides wide
regional coverage and has built ridershipexceeding most other cities especially along itshigher-capacity Lakeshore lines
Torontorsquos local rail network is less complex withless coverage than many cities Downtown corestreetcar lines improve the network greatly butat low resilience due to mixed-traffic streetdesign When contrasted with every other city inthe study it is clear Torontorsquos heavy reliance ontwo very long rail lines is unusual Morecomplexity allows for greater networkconnectivity and adaptability The EglintonCrosstown LRT line will strengthen Torontorsquosnetwork considerably
Torontorsquos local transit has the highest ridershipof all systems in the study Unlike many othercities the most common mode of transit is thebus whose network connects well to the subwaysystem Indeed Torontorsquos subway is only busybecause of busy feeder buses given low densitynear most stations
It is notable that some of the busiest publictransit routes are found in suburban areas ofToronto (such as along Finch Avenue) Thisdemonstrates that it is possible to build strongtransit ridership in areas with lower density thatthe city core
Toronto also has the highest rate of transit use asa proportion of commuters of all metro areas inthe study This success is driven by transit use inand into Toronto Local transit use in cities outsideToronto remains quite low While it has a muchlower ridership that Toronto local transitsuburban use of regional rail is strong along thelakeshore
Good network infrastructure lays the foundationfor strong ridership but service frequency andreliability are more significant for building andretaining ridership in each corridor
14
Mixed Signals 2018
TerminologyTerms Description
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) High-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-way often but not always tunneled or elevated Example the TTC subway is Heavy Rail under North American terminology
Exclusive ROW LightIntermediate Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-wayExample the TTC ldquoScarborough RTrdquo is intermediate capacity and once in operation the Eglinton Crosstown will be over 50 exclusive right-of-way
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixture of rights-of-way including tunneled elevated and at-gradeExample the TTC 501 Queen streetcar at High Park operates in exclusive sections which are broken up by mixed-traffic intersections
Non-exclusive ROW (Streetcar Tram) Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixed-traffic environment subject to blockage by non-transit vehiclesExample the TTC 504 King streetcar shares its lane with passenger cars for almost its entire route despite being Torontorsquos single busiest surface transit line
Regional Rail Higher-speed heavy rail operating in an exclusive right-of-way at greater distances often connecting disparate citiesExample Metrolinx GO Transit
Unlinked Trips A single boarding of a single vehicleExample busgt subway gt bus = 3 unlinked trips
Linked Trips A series of boardings required to complete a single continuous journeyExample bus gt subway gt bus = 1 linked trip
15
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
726 km(792 in late 2020rsquos)
70(71 in late 2020rsquos)
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
64 km(164 in ~2022)
6(19 in ~2022)
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
232 km(432 in ~2022)
68(98 in ~2022)
Non-exclusive ROW(Streetcar Tram)
83 km ~300
Regional Rail (non-TTC)
452 km 66
Construction Note Lines 5 amp 6 scheduled to begin service in 2021-22 Line 3 to close in late 2020rsquos as new subway extension with one stop opens serving busiest Line 3 stop
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
TTC Heavy RailTTC Intermediate
TTC StreetcarsTTC BusGO Rail
Wheel-Trans
87730037800
2878001406800
20420013800
TTC Ridership (2017) 856953100 (unlinked trips APTA)535000000 (linked rides TTC)
16
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
681 km 62
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
37 km(439 in ~2022)
66(73 in ~2022)
Regional Rail 641 km 137
Construction Note Green Line light rail extension in progress
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Heavy RailLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
321000204000233100123100
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 387629600 (unlinked trips)
17
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 169 km 146
Regional Rail (non-CTA) 785 km 242
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
CTA Heavy RailCTA Bus
Metra Commuter RailPACE ParaTransit
729200805500285400
17600
CTA Ridership (2017 APTA) 479435200 (unlinked trips)
18
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Mode Length StationsStops
Semi-exclusive ROWLight Rail
365 km 39
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Light RailBus
ParaTransit
61100222800
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 88799300 (unlinked trips)
19
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
316 km 22
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
313 km 14
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
1101 km(1238 in
~2019)
68(76 in
~2019)
Regional Rail(non-Metro)
859 km 61
Construction Note New CrenshawLAX Light Rail line on west side of city scheduled to open in 2019
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
138500219900896400
3780010800
Metro Ridership (2017 APTA)
397489400 (unlinked trips)
20
Mixed Signals 2018
MontrealMode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 692 km 68
Regional Rail (non-STM) 2564 km 62
Construction Note Reacuteseau express meacutetropolitain (REM) light rail lines in the centre north and west of city scheduled to begin service in 2021
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayBus
Commuter RailParaTransit
1298400917000
8490013900
Ridership (2017 APTA) 643087600 (unlinked trips)
21
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC (WMATA)
$225-$600 cash or fare card (distance-based in peak hours)
Transfer Rules Train one single ride no transferBus free transfers up to two hours$050 discount if combining modes
Fare Zones Combination of distance and zone
Separate Regional Fares
MARC and VRE Commuter RailZone fares $340-$1300
Daily Pass $1475 (66x 1-zone cash fare)
Weekly Pass $6000 (267x 1-zone cash fare)
Monthly Pass na
Annual Pass na
20-year Fare Δ +10455 ($110 cash in 1998)
+10455
+5409
+6001
1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018
Fares vs Inflation 1998-2018
Base Fare USA Inflation Wash DC Inflation
11
Mixed Signals 2018
Base Cash Fare vs Inflation 1998-2018
USA Inflation +5409
Canada Inflation +4524
Boston MBTA +22353
Chicago CTA +6667
Houston Metro +15000
LA Metro +2963
Montreal STM +7568
Vancouver Translink +9667Wash DC Metro +10455
1998 2018
Toronto TTC +8750
12
Mixed Signals 2018
Pass MultipliersNumber of Cash Fares to Match Pass Cost
66
44
40
33
24
39
31
54
Wash DC Metro
Boston MBTA
LA Metro
Chicago CTA
Houston Metro
Toronto TTC
Montreal STM
Vancouver Translink
Daily
267
77
143
110
135
81
Weekly(where available)
307
571
350
450
262
322
Monthly(where available)
13
Mixed Signals 2018
Network DesignCommonalities
bull Strong ridership and mode share similar to other Canadian cities
bull Multi-decade history brings expansion goals into conflict with modern standards
bull Nearly all cities have regional commuter rail in addition to urban core service
Differencesbull 2nd-highest proportion of
tunneled transit increases costs and construction time
bull Lower number of lines reduces coverage and network benefits
bull Choosing extensions over new lines means small issues create large interruptions
There is no perfect or universal structure for the public transitnetwork But there are commonalities among many cities andlessons to be learned Network mobility and resilience is a keyfactor in increased commuter mode share and as we design ournetworks we should be thinking about how to address unservedneeds how to create an adaptable travel grid and how to benefitmost from network effects These are all essential characteristics ofa strong transit network
Political decisions affecting the efficiency of the network haveripple effects which impact riders across the network changingcommuter mode share non-peak ridership decisions and systemrevenue◼
A strong transit network serves a diversity ofdestinations and a diversity of riders There aremany aspects to the development of a networkwith good connectivity Simply put the networkmust connect to places people want to go
All cities in the study have multiple-mode localtransit and all offer regional rail except HoustonEvery agency examined has responsibility forsome private vehicle parking lots alongside theexpected bus and rail services while a few addon-call services ferries and even bike share
It is popular to contrast Torontorsquos subway networkwith New York Paris Chicago or Boston butToronto started building its rail network decadeslater Torontorsquos early investments have givenToronto a good foundation but it is disingenuousto contrast these cities without noting that theNew York City subway was essentially completebefore Toronto even started
Torontorsquos GO Train network provides wide
regional coverage and has built ridershipexceeding most other cities especially along itshigher-capacity Lakeshore lines
Torontorsquos local rail network is less complex withless coverage than many cities Downtown corestreetcar lines improve the network greatly butat low resilience due to mixed-traffic streetdesign When contrasted with every other city inthe study it is clear Torontorsquos heavy reliance ontwo very long rail lines is unusual Morecomplexity allows for greater networkconnectivity and adaptability The EglintonCrosstown LRT line will strengthen Torontorsquosnetwork considerably
Torontorsquos local transit has the highest ridershipof all systems in the study Unlike many othercities the most common mode of transit is thebus whose network connects well to the subwaysystem Indeed Torontorsquos subway is only busybecause of busy feeder buses given low densitynear most stations
It is notable that some of the busiest publictransit routes are found in suburban areas ofToronto (such as along Finch Avenue) Thisdemonstrates that it is possible to build strongtransit ridership in areas with lower density thatthe city core
Toronto also has the highest rate of transit use asa proportion of commuters of all metro areas inthe study This success is driven by transit use inand into Toronto Local transit use in cities outsideToronto remains quite low While it has a muchlower ridership that Toronto local transitsuburban use of regional rail is strong along thelakeshore
Good network infrastructure lays the foundationfor strong ridership but service frequency andreliability are more significant for building andretaining ridership in each corridor
14
Mixed Signals 2018
TerminologyTerms Description
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) High-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-way often but not always tunneled or elevated Example the TTC subway is Heavy Rail under North American terminology
Exclusive ROW LightIntermediate Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-wayExample the TTC ldquoScarborough RTrdquo is intermediate capacity and once in operation the Eglinton Crosstown will be over 50 exclusive right-of-way
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixture of rights-of-way including tunneled elevated and at-gradeExample the TTC 501 Queen streetcar at High Park operates in exclusive sections which are broken up by mixed-traffic intersections
Non-exclusive ROW (Streetcar Tram) Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixed-traffic environment subject to blockage by non-transit vehiclesExample the TTC 504 King streetcar shares its lane with passenger cars for almost its entire route despite being Torontorsquos single busiest surface transit line
Regional Rail Higher-speed heavy rail operating in an exclusive right-of-way at greater distances often connecting disparate citiesExample Metrolinx GO Transit
Unlinked Trips A single boarding of a single vehicleExample busgt subway gt bus = 3 unlinked trips
Linked Trips A series of boardings required to complete a single continuous journeyExample bus gt subway gt bus = 1 linked trip
15
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
726 km(792 in late 2020rsquos)
70(71 in late 2020rsquos)
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
64 km(164 in ~2022)
6(19 in ~2022)
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
232 km(432 in ~2022)
68(98 in ~2022)
Non-exclusive ROW(Streetcar Tram)
83 km ~300
Regional Rail (non-TTC)
452 km 66
Construction Note Lines 5 amp 6 scheduled to begin service in 2021-22 Line 3 to close in late 2020rsquos as new subway extension with one stop opens serving busiest Line 3 stop
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
TTC Heavy RailTTC Intermediate
TTC StreetcarsTTC BusGO Rail
Wheel-Trans
87730037800
2878001406800
20420013800
TTC Ridership (2017) 856953100 (unlinked trips APTA)535000000 (linked rides TTC)
16
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
681 km 62
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
37 km(439 in ~2022)
66(73 in ~2022)
Regional Rail 641 km 137
Construction Note Green Line light rail extension in progress
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Heavy RailLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
321000204000233100123100
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 387629600 (unlinked trips)
17
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 169 km 146
Regional Rail (non-CTA) 785 km 242
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
CTA Heavy RailCTA Bus
Metra Commuter RailPACE ParaTransit
729200805500285400
17600
CTA Ridership (2017 APTA) 479435200 (unlinked trips)
18
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Mode Length StationsStops
Semi-exclusive ROWLight Rail
365 km 39
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Light RailBus
ParaTransit
61100222800
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 88799300 (unlinked trips)
19
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
316 km 22
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
313 km 14
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
1101 km(1238 in
~2019)
68(76 in
~2019)
Regional Rail(non-Metro)
859 km 61
Construction Note New CrenshawLAX Light Rail line on west side of city scheduled to open in 2019
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
138500219900896400
3780010800
Metro Ridership (2017 APTA)
397489400 (unlinked trips)
20
Mixed Signals 2018
MontrealMode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 692 km 68
Regional Rail (non-STM) 2564 km 62
Construction Note Reacuteseau express meacutetropolitain (REM) light rail lines in the centre north and west of city scheduled to begin service in 2021
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayBus
Commuter RailParaTransit
1298400917000
8490013900
Ridership (2017 APTA) 643087600 (unlinked trips)
21
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Base Cash Fare vs Inflation 1998-2018
USA Inflation +5409
Canada Inflation +4524
Boston MBTA +22353
Chicago CTA +6667
Houston Metro +15000
LA Metro +2963
Montreal STM +7568
Vancouver Translink +9667Wash DC Metro +10455
1998 2018
Toronto TTC +8750
12
Mixed Signals 2018
Pass MultipliersNumber of Cash Fares to Match Pass Cost
66
44
40
33
24
39
31
54
Wash DC Metro
Boston MBTA
LA Metro
Chicago CTA
Houston Metro
Toronto TTC
Montreal STM
Vancouver Translink
Daily
267
77
143
110
135
81
Weekly(where available)
307
571
350
450
262
322
Monthly(where available)
13
Mixed Signals 2018
Network DesignCommonalities
bull Strong ridership and mode share similar to other Canadian cities
bull Multi-decade history brings expansion goals into conflict with modern standards
bull Nearly all cities have regional commuter rail in addition to urban core service
Differencesbull 2nd-highest proportion of
tunneled transit increases costs and construction time
bull Lower number of lines reduces coverage and network benefits
bull Choosing extensions over new lines means small issues create large interruptions
There is no perfect or universal structure for the public transitnetwork But there are commonalities among many cities andlessons to be learned Network mobility and resilience is a keyfactor in increased commuter mode share and as we design ournetworks we should be thinking about how to address unservedneeds how to create an adaptable travel grid and how to benefitmost from network effects These are all essential characteristics ofa strong transit network
Political decisions affecting the efficiency of the network haveripple effects which impact riders across the network changingcommuter mode share non-peak ridership decisions and systemrevenue◼
A strong transit network serves a diversity ofdestinations and a diversity of riders There aremany aspects to the development of a networkwith good connectivity Simply put the networkmust connect to places people want to go
All cities in the study have multiple-mode localtransit and all offer regional rail except HoustonEvery agency examined has responsibility forsome private vehicle parking lots alongside theexpected bus and rail services while a few addon-call services ferries and even bike share
It is popular to contrast Torontorsquos subway networkwith New York Paris Chicago or Boston butToronto started building its rail network decadeslater Torontorsquos early investments have givenToronto a good foundation but it is disingenuousto contrast these cities without noting that theNew York City subway was essentially completebefore Toronto even started
Torontorsquos GO Train network provides wide
regional coverage and has built ridershipexceeding most other cities especially along itshigher-capacity Lakeshore lines
Torontorsquos local rail network is less complex withless coverage than many cities Downtown corestreetcar lines improve the network greatly butat low resilience due to mixed-traffic streetdesign When contrasted with every other city inthe study it is clear Torontorsquos heavy reliance ontwo very long rail lines is unusual Morecomplexity allows for greater networkconnectivity and adaptability The EglintonCrosstown LRT line will strengthen Torontorsquosnetwork considerably
Torontorsquos local transit has the highest ridershipof all systems in the study Unlike many othercities the most common mode of transit is thebus whose network connects well to the subwaysystem Indeed Torontorsquos subway is only busybecause of busy feeder buses given low densitynear most stations
It is notable that some of the busiest publictransit routes are found in suburban areas ofToronto (such as along Finch Avenue) Thisdemonstrates that it is possible to build strongtransit ridership in areas with lower density thatthe city core
Toronto also has the highest rate of transit use asa proportion of commuters of all metro areas inthe study This success is driven by transit use inand into Toronto Local transit use in cities outsideToronto remains quite low While it has a muchlower ridership that Toronto local transitsuburban use of regional rail is strong along thelakeshore
Good network infrastructure lays the foundationfor strong ridership but service frequency andreliability are more significant for building andretaining ridership in each corridor
14
Mixed Signals 2018
TerminologyTerms Description
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) High-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-way often but not always tunneled or elevated Example the TTC subway is Heavy Rail under North American terminology
Exclusive ROW LightIntermediate Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-wayExample the TTC ldquoScarborough RTrdquo is intermediate capacity and once in operation the Eglinton Crosstown will be over 50 exclusive right-of-way
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixture of rights-of-way including tunneled elevated and at-gradeExample the TTC 501 Queen streetcar at High Park operates in exclusive sections which are broken up by mixed-traffic intersections
Non-exclusive ROW (Streetcar Tram) Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixed-traffic environment subject to blockage by non-transit vehiclesExample the TTC 504 King streetcar shares its lane with passenger cars for almost its entire route despite being Torontorsquos single busiest surface transit line
Regional Rail Higher-speed heavy rail operating in an exclusive right-of-way at greater distances often connecting disparate citiesExample Metrolinx GO Transit
Unlinked Trips A single boarding of a single vehicleExample busgt subway gt bus = 3 unlinked trips
Linked Trips A series of boardings required to complete a single continuous journeyExample bus gt subway gt bus = 1 linked trip
15
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
726 km(792 in late 2020rsquos)
70(71 in late 2020rsquos)
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
64 km(164 in ~2022)
6(19 in ~2022)
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
232 km(432 in ~2022)
68(98 in ~2022)
Non-exclusive ROW(Streetcar Tram)
83 km ~300
Regional Rail (non-TTC)
452 km 66
Construction Note Lines 5 amp 6 scheduled to begin service in 2021-22 Line 3 to close in late 2020rsquos as new subway extension with one stop opens serving busiest Line 3 stop
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
TTC Heavy RailTTC Intermediate
TTC StreetcarsTTC BusGO Rail
Wheel-Trans
87730037800
2878001406800
20420013800
TTC Ridership (2017) 856953100 (unlinked trips APTA)535000000 (linked rides TTC)
16
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
681 km 62
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
37 km(439 in ~2022)
66(73 in ~2022)
Regional Rail 641 km 137
Construction Note Green Line light rail extension in progress
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Heavy RailLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
321000204000233100123100
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 387629600 (unlinked trips)
17
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 169 km 146
Regional Rail (non-CTA) 785 km 242
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
CTA Heavy RailCTA Bus
Metra Commuter RailPACE ParaTransit
729200805500285400
17600
CTA Ridership (2017 APTA) 479435200 (unlinked trips)
18
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Mode Length StationsStops
Semi-exclusive ROWLight Rail
365 km 39
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Light RailBus
ParaTransit
61100222800
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 88799300 (unlinked trips)
19
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
316 km 22
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
313 km 14
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
1101 km(1238 in
~2019)
68(76 in
~2019)
Regional Rail(non-Metro)
859 km 61
Construction Note New CrenshawLAX Light Rail line on west side of city scheduled to open in 2019
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
138500219900896400
3780010800
Metro Ridership (2017 APTA)
397489400 (unlinked trips)
20
Mixed Signals 2018
MontrealMode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 692 km 68
Regional Rail (non-STM) 2564 km 62
Construction Note Reacuteseau express meacutetropolitain (REM) light rail lines in the centre north and west of city scheduled to begin service in 2021
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayBus
Commuter RailParaTransit
1298400917000
8490013900
Ridership (2017 APTA) 643087600 (unlinked trips)
21
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Pass MultipliersNumber of Cash Fares to Match Pass Cost
66
44
40
33
24
39
31
54
Wash DC Metro
Boston MBTA
LA Metro
Chicago CTA
Houston Metro
Toronto TTC
Montreal STM
Vancouver Translink
Daily
267
77
143
110
135
81
Weekly(where available)
307
571
350
450
262
322
Monthly(where available)
13
Mixed Signals 2018
Network DesignCommonalities
bull Strong ridership and mode share similar to other Canadian cities
bull Multi-decade history brings expansion goals into conflict with modern standards
bull Nearly all cities have regional commuter rail in addition to urban core service
Differencesbull 2nd-highest proportion of
tunneled transit increases costs and construction time
bull Lower number of lines reduces coverage and network benefits
bull Choosing extensions over new lines means small issues create large interruptions
There is no perfect or universal structure for the public transitnetwork But there are commonalities among many cities andlessons to be learned Network mobility and resilience is a keyfactor in increased commuter mode share and as we design ournetworks we should be thinking about how to address unservedneeds how to create an adaptable travel grid and how to benefitmost from network effects These are all essential characteristics ofa strong transit network
Political decisions affecting the efficiency of the network haveripple effects which impact riders across the network changingcommuter mode share non-peak ridership decisions and systemrevenue◼
A strong transit network serves a diversity ofdestinations and a diversity of riders There aremany aspects to the development of a networkwith good connectivity Simply put the networkmust connect to places people want to go
All cities in the study have multiple-mode localtransit and all offer regional rail except HoustonEvery agency examined has responsibility forsome private vehicle parking lots alongside theexpected bus and rail services while a few addon-call services ferries and even bike share
It is popular to contrast Torontorsquos subway networkwith New York Paris Chicago or Boston butToronto started building its rail network decadeslater Torontorsquos early investments have givenToronto a good foundation but it is disingenuousto contrast these cities without noting that theNew York City subway was essentially completebefore Toronto even started
Torontorsquos GO Train network provides wide
regional coverage and has built ridershipexceeding most other cities especially along itshigher-capacity Lakeshore lines
Torontorsquos local rail network is less complex withless coverage than many cities Downtown corestreetcar lines improve the network greatly butat low resilience due to mixed-traffic streetdesign When contrasted with every other city inthe study it is clear Torontorsquos heavy reliance ontwo very long rail lines is unusual Morecomplexity allows for greater networkconnectivity and adaptability The EglintonCrosstown LRT line will strengthen Torontorsquosnetwork considerably
Torontorsquos local transit has the highest ridershipof all systems in the study Unlike many othercities the most common mode of transit is thebus whose network connects well to the subwaysystem Indeed Torontorsquos subway is only busybecause of busy feeder buses given low densitynear most stations
It is notable that some of the busiest publictransit routes are found in suburban areas ofToronto (such as along Finch Avenue) Thisdemonstrates that it is possible to build strongtransit ridership in areas with lower density thatthe city core
Toronto also has the highest rate of transit use asa proportion of commuters of all metro areas inthe study This success is driven by transit use inand into Toronto Local transit use in cities outsideToronto remains quite low While it has a muchlower ridership that Toronto local transitsuburban use of regional rail is strong along thelakeshore
Good network infrastructure lays the foundationfor strong ridership but service frequency andreliability are more significant for building andretaining ridership in each corridor
14
Mixed Signals 2018
TerminologyTerms Description
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) High-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-way often but not always tunneled or elevated Example the TTC subway is Heavy Rail under North American terminology
Exclusive ROW LightIntermediate Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-wayExample the TTC ldquoScarborough RTrdquo is intermediate capacity and once in operation the Eglinton Crosstown will be over 50 exclusive right-of-way
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixture of rights-of-way including tunneled elevated and at-gradeExample the TTC 501 Queen streetcar at High Park operates in exclusive sections which are broken up by mixed-traffic intersections
Non-exclusive ROW (Streetcar Tram) Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixed-traffic environment subject to blockage by non-transit vehiclesExample the TTC 504 King streetcar shares its lane with passenger cars for almost its entire route despite being Torontorsquos single busiest surface transit line
Regional Rail Higher-speed heavy rail operating in an exclusive right-of-way at greater distances often connecting disparate citiesExample Metrolinx GO Transit
Unlinked Trips A single boarding of a single vehicleExample busgt subway gt bus = 3 unlinked trips
Linked Trips A series of boardings required to complete a single continuous journeyExample bus gt subway gt bus = 1 linked trip
15
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
726 km(792 in late 2020rsquos)
70(71 in late 2020rsquos)
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
64 km(164 in ~2022)
6(19 in ~2022)
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
232 km(432 in ~2022)
68(98 in ~2022)
Non-exclusive ROW(Streetcar Tram)
83 km ~300
Regional Rail (non-TTC)
452 km 66
Construction Note Lines 5 amp 6 scheduled to begin service in 2021-22 Line 3 to close in late 2020rsquos as new subway extension with one stop opens serving busiest Line 3 stop
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
TTC Heavy RailTTC Intermediate
TTC StreetcarsTTC BusGO Rail
Wheel-Trans
87730037800
2878001406800
20420013800
TTC Ridership (2017) 856953100 (unlinked trips APTA)535000000 (linked rides TTC)
16
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
681 km 62
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
37 km(439 in ~2022)
66(73 in ~2022)
Regional Rail 641 km 137
Construction Note Green Line light rail extension in progress
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Heavy RailLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
321000204000233100123100
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 387629600 (unlinked trips)
17
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 169 km 146
Regional Rail (non-CTA) 785 km 242
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
CTA Heavy RailCTA Bus
Metra Commuter RailPACE ParaTransit
729200805500285400
17600
CTA Ridership (2017 APTA) 479435200 (unlinked trips)
18
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Mode Length StationsStops
Semi-exclusive ROWLight Rail
365 km 39
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Light RailBus
ParaTransit
61100222800
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 88799300 (unlinked trips)
19
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
316 km 22
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
313 km 14
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
1101 km(1238 in
~2019)
68(76 in
~2019)
Regional Rail(non-Metro)
859 km 61
Construction Note New CrenshawLAX Light Rail line on west side of city scheduled to open in 2019
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
138500219900896400
3780010800
Metro Ridership (2017 APTA)
397489400 (unlinked trips)
20
Mixed Signals 2018
MontrealMode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 692 km 68
Regional Rail (non-STM) 2564 km 62
Construction Note Reacuteseau express meacutetropolitain (REM) light rail lines in the centre north and west of city scheduled to begin service in 2021
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayBus
Commuter RailParaTransit
1298400917000
8490013900
Ridership (2017 APTA) 643087600 (unlinked trips)
21
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Network DesignCommonalities
bull Strong ridership and mode share similar to other Canadian cities
bull Multi-decade history brings expansion goals into conflict with modern standards
bull Nearly all cities have regional commuter rail in addition to urban core service
Differencesbull 2nd-highest proportion of
tunneled transit increases costs and construction time
bull Lower number of lines reduces coverage and network benefits
bull Choosing extensions over new lines means small issues create large interruptions
There is no perfect or universal structure for the public transitnetwork But there are commonalities among many cities andlessons to be learned Network mobility and resilience is a keyfactor in increased commuter mode share and as we design ournetworks we should be thinking about how to address unservedneeds how to create an adaptable travel grid and how to benefitmost from network effects These are all essential characteristics ofa strong transit network
Political decisions affecting the efficiency of the network haveripple effects which impact riders across the network changingcommuter mode share non-peak ridership decisions and systemrevenue◼
A strong transit network serves a diversity ofdestinations and a diversity of riders There aremany aspects to the development of a networkwith good connectivity Simply put the networkmust connect to places people want to go
All cities in the study have multiple-mode localtransit and all offer regional rail except HoustonEvery agency examined has responsibility forsome private vehicle parking lots alongside theexpected bus and rail services while a few addon-call services ferries and even bike share
It is popular to contrast Torontorsquos subway networkwith New York Paris Chicago or Boston butToronto started building its rail network decadeslater Torontorsquos early investments have givenToronto a good foundation but it is disingenuousto contrast these cities without noting that theNew York City subway was essentially completebefore Toronto even started
Torontorsquos GO Train network provides wide
regional coverage and has built ridershipexceeding most other cities especially along itshigher-capacity Lakeshore lines
Torontorsquos local rail network is less complex withless coverage than many cities Downtown corestreetcar lines improve the network greatly butat low resilience due to mixed-traffic streetdesign When contrasted with every other city inthe study it is clear Torontorsquos heavy reliance ontwo very long rail lines is unusual Morecomplexity allows for greater networkconnectivity and adaptability The EglintonCrosstown LRT line will strengthen Torontorsquosnetwork considerably
Torontorsquos local transit has the highest ridershipof all systems in the study Unlike many othercities the most common mode of transit is thebus whose network connects well to the subwaysystem Indeed Torontorsquos subway is only busybecause of busy feeder buses given low densitynear most stations
It is notable that some of the busiest publictransit routes are found in suburban areas ofToronto (such as along Finch Avenue) Thisdemonstrates that it is possible to build strongtransit ridership in areas with lower density thatthe city core
Toronto also has the highest rate of transit use asa proportion of commuters of all metro areas inthe study This success is driven by transit use inand into Toronto Local transit use in cities outsideToronto remains quite low While it has a muchlower ridership that Toronto local transitsuburban use of regional rail is strong along thelakeshore
Good network infrastructure lays the foundationfor strong ridership but service frequency andreliability are more significant for building andretaining ridership in each corridor
14
Mixed Signals 2018
TerminologyTerms Description
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) High-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-way often but not always tunneled or elevated Example the TTC subway is Heavy Rail under North American terminology
Exclusive ROW LightIntermediate Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-wayExample the TTC ldquoScarborough RTrdquo is intermediate capacity and once in operation the Eglinton Crosstown will be over 50 exclusive right-of-way
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixture of rights-of-way including tunneled elevated and at-gradeExample the TTC 501 Queen streetcar at High Park operates in exclusive sections which are broken up by mixed-traffic intersections
Non-exclusive ROW (Streetcar Tram) Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixed-traffic environment subject to blockage by non-transit vehiclesExample the TTC 504 King streetcar shares its lane with passenger cars for almost its entire route despite being Torontorsquos single busiest surface transit line
Regional Rail Higher-speed heavy rail operating in an exclusive right-of-way at greater distances often connecting disparate citiesExample Metrolinx GO Transit
Unlinked Trips A single boarding of a single vehicleExample busgt subway gt bus = 3 unlinked trips
Linked Trips A series of boardings required to complete a single continuous journeyExample bus gt subway gt bus = 1 linked trip
15
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
726 km(792 in late 2020rsquos)
70(71 in late 2020rsquos)
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
64 km(164 in ~2022)
6(19 in ~2022)
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
232 km(432 in ~2022)
68(98 in ~2022)
Non-exclusive ROW(Streetcar Tram)
83 km ~300
Regional Rail (non-TTC)
452 km 66
Construction Note Lines 5 amp 6 scheduled to begin service in 2021-22 Line 3 to close in late 2020rsquos as new subway extension with one stop opens serving busiest Line 3 stop
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
TTC Heavy RailTTC Intermediate
TTC StreetcarsTTC BusGO Rail
Wheel-Trans
87730037800
2878001406800
20420013800
TTC Ridership (2017) 856953100 (unlinked trips APTA)535000000 (linked rides TTC)
16
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
681 km 62
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
37 km(439 in ~2022)
66(73 in ~2022)
Regional Rail 641 km 137
Construction Note Green Line light rail extension in progress
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Heavy RailLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
321000204000233100123100
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 387629600 (unlinked trips)
17
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 169 km 146
Regional Rail (non-CTA) 785 km 242
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
CTA Heavy RailCTA Bus
Metra Commuter RailPACE ParaTransit
729200805500285400
17600
CTA Ridership (2017 APTA) 479435200 (unlinked trips)
18
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Mode Length StationsStops
Semi-exclusive ROWLight Rail
365 km 39
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Light RailBus
ParaTransit
61100222800
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 88799300 (unlinked trips)
19
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
316 km 22
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
313 km 14
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
1101 km(1238 in
~2019)
68(76 in
~2019)
Regional Rail(non-Metro)
859 km 61
Construction Note New CrenshawLAX Light Rail line on west side of city scheduled to open in 2019
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
138500219900896400
3780010800
Metro Ridership (2017 APTA)
397489400 (unlinked trips)
20
Mixed Signals 2018
MontrealMode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 692 km 68
Regional Rail (non-STM) 2564 km 62
Construction Note Reacuteseau express meacutetropolitain (REM) light rail lines in the centre north and west of city scheduled to begin service in 2021
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayBus
Commuter RailParaTransit
1298400917000
8490013900
Ridership (2017 APTA) 643087600 (unlinked trips)
21
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
TerminologyTerms Description
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) High-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-way often but not always tunneled or elevated Example the TTC subway is Heavy Rail under North American terminology
Exclusive ROW LightIntermediate Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in an exclusive right-of-wayExample the TTC ldquoScarborough RTrdquo is intermediate capacity and once in operation the Eglinton Crosstown will be over 50 exclusive right-of-way
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixture of rights-of-way including tunneled elevated and at-gradeExample the TTC 501 Queen streetcar at High Park operates in exclusive sections which are broken up by mixed-traffic intersections
Non-exclusive ROW (Streetcar Tram) Intermediate-capacity electric railway operating in a mixed-traffic environment subject to blockage by non-transit vehiclesExample the TTC 504 King streetcar shares its lane with passenger cars for almost its entire route despite being Torontorsquos single busiest surface transit line
Regional Rail Higher-speed heavy rail operating in an exclusive right-of-way at greater distances often connecting disparate citiesExample Metrolinx GO Transit
Unlinked Trips A single boarding of a single vehicleExample busgt subway gt bus = 3 unlinked trips
Linked Trips A series of boardings required to complete a single continuous journeyExample bus gt subway gt bus = 1 linked trip
15
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
726 km(792 in late 2020rsquos)
70(71 in late 2020rsquos)
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
64 km(164 in ~2022)
6(19 in ~2022)
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
232 km(432 in ~2022)
68(98 in ~2022)
Non-exclusive ROW(Streetcar Tram)
83 km ~300
Regional Rail (non-TTC)
452 km 66
Construction Note Lines 5 amp 6 scheduled to begin service in 2021-22 Line 3 to close in late 2020rsquos as new subway extension with one stop opens serving busiest Line 3 stop
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
TTC Heavy RailTTC Intermediate
TTC StreetcarsTTC BusGO Rail
Wheel-Trans
87730037800
2878001406800
20420013800
TTC Ridership (2017) 856953100 (unlinked trips APTA)535000000 (linked rides TTC)
16
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
681 km 62
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
37 km(439 in ~2022)
66(73 in ~2022)
Regional Rail 641 km 137
Construction Note Green Line light rail extension in progress
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Heavy RailLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
321000204000233100123100
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 387629600 (unlinked trips)
17
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 169 km 146
Regional Rail (non-CTA) 785 km 242
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
CTA Heavy RailCTA Bus
Metra Commuter RailPACE ParaTransit
729200805500285400
17600
CTA Ridership (2017 APTA) 479435200 (unlinked trips)
18
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Mode Length StationsStops
Semi-exclusive ROWLight Rail
365 km 39
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Light RailBus
ParaTransit
61100222800
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 88799300 (unlinked trips)
19
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
316 km 22
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
313 km 14
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
1101 km(1238 in
~2019)
68(76 in
~2019)
Regional Rail(non-Metro)
859 km 61
Construction Note New CrenshawLAX Light Rail line on west side of city scheduled to open in 2019
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
138500219900896400
3780010800
Metro Ridership (2017 APTA)
397489400 (unlinked trips)
20
Mixed Signals 2018
MontrealMode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 692 km 68
Regional Rail (non-STM) 2564 km 62
Construction Note Reacuteseau express meacutetropolitain (REM) light rail lines in the centre north and west of city scheduled to begin service in 2021
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayBus
Commuter RailParaTransit
1298400917000
8490013900
Ridership (2017 APTA) 643087600 (unlinked trips)
21
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
726 km(792 in late 2020rsquos)
70(71 in late 2020rsquos)
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
64 km(164 in ~2022)
6(19 in ~2022)
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
232 km(432 in ~2022)
68(98 in ~2022)
Non-exclusive ROW(Streetcar Tram)
83 km ~300
Regional Rail (non-TTC)
452 km 66
Construction Note Lines 5 amp 6 scheduled to begin service in 2021-22 Line 3 to close in late 2020rsquos as new subway extension with one stop opens serving busiest Line 3 stop
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
TTC Heavy RailTTC Intermediate
TTC StreetcarsTTC BusGO Rail
Wheel-Trans
87730037800
2878001406800
20420013800
TTC Ridership (2017) 856953100 (unlinked trips APTA)535000000 (linked rides TTC)
16
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
681 km 62
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
37 km(439 in ~2022)
66(73 in ~2022)
Regional Rail 641 km 137
Construction Note Green Line light rail extension in progress
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Heavy RailLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
321000204000233100123100
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 387629600 (unlinked trips)
17
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 169 km 146
Regional Rail (non-CTA) 785 km 242
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
CTA Heavy RailCTA Bus
Metra Commuter RailPACE ParaTransit
729200805500285400
17600
CTA Ridership (2017 APTA) 479435200 (unlinked trips)
18
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Mode Length StationsStops
Semi-exclusive ROWLight Rail
365 km 39
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Light RailBus
ParaTransit
61100222800
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 88799300 (unlinked trips)
19
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
316 km 22
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
313 km 14
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
1101 km(1238 in
~2019)
68(76 in
~2019)
Regional Rail(non-Metro)
859 km 61
Construction Note New CrenshawLAX Light Rail line on west side of city scheduled to open in 2019
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
138500219900896400
3780010800
Metro Ridership (2017 APTA)
397489400 (unlinked trips)
20
Mixed Signals 2018
MontrealMode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 692 km 68
Regional Rail (non-STM) 2564 km 62
Construction Note Reacuteseau express meacutetropolitain (REM) light rail lines in the centre north and west of city scheduled to begin service in 2021
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayBus
Commuter RailParaTransit
1298400917000
8490013900
Ridership (2017 APTA) 643087600 (unlinked trips)
21
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
681 km 62
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
37 km(439 in ~2022)
66(73 in ~2022)
Regional Rail 641 km 137
Construction Note Green Line light rail extension in progress
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Heavy RailLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
321000204000233100123100
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 387629600 (unlinked trips)
17
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 169 km 146
Regional Rail (non-CTA) 785 km 242
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
CTA Heavy RailCTA Bus
Metra Commuter RailPACE ParaTransit
729200805500285400
17600
CTA Ridership (2017 APTA) 479435200 (unlinked trips)
18
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Mode Length StationsStops
Semi-exclusive ROWLight Rail
365 km 39
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Light RailBus
ParaTransit
61100222800
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 88799300 (unlinked trips)
19
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
316 km 22
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
313 km 14
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
1101 km(1238 in
~2019)
68(76 in
~2019)
Regional Rail(non-Metro)
859 km 61
Construction Note New CrenshawLAX Light Rail line on west side of city scheduled to open in 2019
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
138500219900896400
3780010800
Metro Ridership (2017 APTA)
397489400 (unlinked trips)
20
Mixed Signals 2018
MontrealMode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 692 km 68
Regional Rail (non-STM) 2564 km 62
Construction Note Reacuteseau express meacutetropolitain (REM) light rail lines in the centre north and west of city scheduled to begin service in 2021
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayBus
Commuter RailParaTransit
1298400917000
8490013900
Ridership (2017 APTA) 643087600 (unlinked trips)
21
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 169 km 146
Regional Rail (non-CTA) 785 km 242
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
CTA Heavy RailCTA Bus
Metra Commuter RailPACE ParaTransit
729200805500285400
17600
CTA Ridership (2017 APTA) 479435200 (unlinked trips)
18
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Mode Length StationsStops
Semi-exclusive ROWLight Rail
365 km 39
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Light RailBus
ParaTransit
61100222800
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 88799300 (unlinked trips)
19
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
316 km 22
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
313 km 14
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
1101 km(1238 in
~2019)
68(76 in
~2019)
Regional Rail(non-Metro)
859 km 61
Construction Note New CrenshawLAX Light Rail line on west side of city scheduled to open in 2019
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
138500219900896400
3780010800
Metro Ridership (2017 APTA)
397489400 (unlinked trips)
20
Mixed Signals 2018
MontrealMode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 692 km 68
Regional Rail (non-STM) 2564 km 62
Construction Note Reacuteseau express meacutetropolitain (REM) light rail lines in the centre north and west of city scheduled to begin service in 2021
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayBus
Commuter RailParaTransit
1298400917000
8490013900
Ridership (2017 APTA) 643087600 (unlinked trips)
21
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Mode Length StationsStops
Semi-exclusive ROWLight Rail
365 km 39
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
Light RailBus
ParaTransit
61100222800
6400
Ridership (2017 APTA) 88799300 (unlinked trips)
19
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
316 km 22
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
313 km 14
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
1101 km(1238 in
~2019)
68(76 in
~2019)
Regional Rail(non-Metro)
859 km 61
Construction Note New CrenshawLAX Light Rail line on west side of city scheduled to open in 2019
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
138500219900896400
3780010800
Metro Ridership (2017 APTA)
397489400 (unlinked trips)
20
Mixed Signals 2018
MontrealMode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 692 km 68
Regional Rail (non-STM) 2564 km 62
Construction Note Reacuteseau express meacutetropolitain (REM) light rail lines in the centre north and west of city scheduled to begin service in 2021
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayBus
Commuter RailParaTransit
1298400917000
8490013900
Ridership (2017 APTA) 643087600 (unlinked trips)
21
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Mode Length StationsStops
Heavy Rail(Subway Metro)
316 km 22
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
313 km 14
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail
1101 km(1238 in
~2019)
68(76 in
~2019)
Regional Rail(non-Metro)
859 km 61
Construction Note New CrenshawLAX Light Rail line on west side of city scheduled to open in 2019
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
138500219900896400
3780010800
Metro Ridership (2017 APTA)
397489400 (unlinked trips)
20
Mixed Signals 2018
MontrealMode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 692 km 68
Regional Rail (non-STM) 2564 km 62
Construction Note Reacuteseau express meacutetropolitain (REM) light rail lines in the centre north and west of city scheduled to begin service in 2021
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayBus
Commuter RailParaTransit
1298400917000
8490013900
Ridership (2017 APTA) 643087600 (unlinked trips)
21
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
MontrealMode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 692 km 68
Regional Rail (non-STM) 2564 km 62
Construction Note Reacuteseau express meacutetropolitain (REM) light rail lines in the centre north and west of city scheduled to begin service in 2021
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayBus
Commuter RailParaTransit
1298400917000
8490013900
Ridership (2017 APTA) 643087600 (unlinked trips)
21
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver
Mode Length Stations
Exclusive ROW Light amp Intermediate Rail
796 km 53
Regional Rail 69 km 8
UnlinkedTrips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SkyTrainBus
FerryCommuter Rail
472100789400
167009300
Ridership (2017 APTA) 406842500 (unlinked trips)
22
Commuter Rail
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Mode Length Stations
Heavy Rail (Subway Metro) 1897 km 94
Semi-exclusive ROW Light Rail 39 km 9
Regional Rail 446 km 61
Construction Note Silver Line 185 km northwest expansion to Dulles airport scheduled to begin service in 2020
Unlinked Trips Per Day(APTA 2017)
SubwayLight Rail
BusCommuter Rail
ParaTransit
7602003700
374600(est) 77000
(est) 8000
Ridership (2017 APTA) 346342000 (unlinked trips)
23
Commuter Rail (MARC amp VRE)
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Line Names Colours Lengths and Stations
Line 1 - 396 km
Line 2 - 275 km
Line 3 - 64 km
Line 4 - 55 km
Toronto (TTC) ndash 144 stnsGreen - 364 km
Red ndash 330 km
Orange ndash 180 km
Blue - 95 km
Boston (MBTA) ndash 128 Chicago (CTA) ndash 146Red ndash 120 km
Purple - 106 km
Green - 53 km
Houston METRORail ndash 39Blue - 445 km
Red - 355 km
Green - 325 km
Orange - 200 km
Brown - 182 km
Pink - 170 km
Yellow - 80 km
Purple - 64 km
Los Angeles Metro ndash 104
Gold - 501 km
Blue - 355 km
Green - 313 km
Expo - 245 km
Red - 236 km
Purple ndash 80 km
Orange ndash 300 km
Green - 221 km
Blue - 97 km
Yellow - 43 km
Montreal (STM) ndash 68
Expo ndash 350 km
Millennium - 253 km
Canada - 195 km
Vancouver (Translink) ndash 53 Washington DC ndash 103
Red ndash 513 km
Blue - 488 km
Silver - 476 km
Orange - 425 km
Green - 371 km
Yellow - 243 km
The station count beside eachcityrsquos name includes allexclusive and semi-exclusiveright-of-way (ROW) stationsand stops but excludes purelymixed-traffic stops
24
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Urban Core Rail Network Growth
London
Boston
Chicago
Paris
New York City
Toronto
Montreal
Washington DC
Vancouver
Los Angeles
Houston
1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
101 (Paris 1900-1910)
41 (New York City 1930-1940)
1 (Toronto 1990-2000)
Stations Built Per Ten-Year Period
25
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Proportion of Urban Core Rail Underground
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
WashingtonDC
Los Angeles Chicago Boston Vancouver Toronto Montreal Houston
Underground Aboveground
46 22 11 27 11 77 100 0km
26
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Public Transit Commuter Mode Share
22
51
120
136
144
204
223
243
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Vancouver CMA(Surrey-Burnaby-Richmond-Coquitlam-
Langley-Delta-North Vancouver)
Montreal CMA(Laval-Longueuil-Terrebonne-
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-Brossard-hellip
Toronto CMA(Mississauga-Brampton-Markham-
Vaughan-Richmond Hill-Oakville-Ajax)
27
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Average Weekday Ridership by Transit Mode
0
05
1
15
2
25
3
Toronto Montreal Chicago Los Angeles Vancouver WashingtonDC
Boston Houston
Mill
ion
s
Bus Rail in Shared Semi-Exclusive ROW Rail in Exclusive ROW Commuter Rail
28
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Ridership per Kilometre of RailRatio of annual local system ridership to exclusive right-of-way rail lines
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Toronto Montreal Los Angeles Vancouver Boston Chicago Houston WashingtonDC
Mill
ion
s
29
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Operating BudgetsCommonalities
bull The cost of labour for all transit agencies pushes back against improved service
bull Advertisingrsquos degradation to the brand far outweighs the small revenue it provides
bull Network expansion competes and wins funding over ongoing operational needs
Differencesbull Toronto has the highest
farebox recovery ratio lowest overall subsidy lowest subsidy per rider and lowest overall revenue per rider among the cities studied
bull Toronto has no predictable revenue stream from a dedicated tax or levy
There is no perfect or universal structure for public transit agencyfunding But there are lessons to be learned Funding of publictransit is part of citiesrsquo democratic practice and the choices wemake on who must pay for what level of service or access are notneutral or obvious Public transit is a public service not a profitcentre thus every city (without a large money-generating propertyportfolio) must subsidize its transit The level of subsidy and thesecurity of the funds determine service and expansion decisions
Consensus is rarely possible in transit taxation decisions but weshould aim to strengthen planning and decision-making bydedicating transparent revenue streams to specific uses◼
Transit systems are complex and dynamicsystems whose costs may fluctuate due to manyfactors Changes in fuel costs and the ups anddowns of ridership may affect the bottom linewith little warning leading to common mid-yearservice adjustments just as in the private sector
But transitrsquos largest expense is labour and budgetpressures here create a consistent annualincentive to reduce service which can improvethe bottom line but betray transitrsquos reason forexistence
Establishing and planning operations at anappropriate level requires stable predictablefunding Secure funding is also needed to maintainthe system in a state-of-good-repair and toexpand operations to improve service andincrease ridership Long-term capital planning alsoneeds secure relationships with funding sourcesand governments Toronto lags well behind otherNorth American cities in this regard
The TTC relies on the farebox more than any othercity in North America In all comparator cities theannual operating subsidy covers more than 50of the operating budget In Boston and Houston itis more than 70 and in Los Angeles it is nearly90 Torontorsquos operating subsidy is just 30
Even close to home the difference is striking Theper-rider subsidy for the TTC is dramaticallysmaller than what is provided to riders inmunicipalities in the surrounding GTHA Markhampays $456 per rider fully five times Torontorsquos$090 Suburban transit is normally far morecostly per-rider but this contrast is key to GTHAfare integration especially amidst claims of costneutrality
The TTCrsquos operating budget is disproportionatelysmall for its ridership When compared with othercities Toronto has the least to spend per riderToronto has $210 per rider less than halfVancouverrsquos level even though the TTC carriesmore than twice the riders US cities have even
higher per-rider revenue with Los Angelestopping out the list with $1516 in revenue perrider despite its far lower mode share
Torontorsquos biggest differentiator is the lack of adesignated revenue stream for transit Almostevery other city has a dedicated tax providingstable predictable funding
In Montreal and Washington DC participatingregionscounties and cities contribute a subsidycalculated in relation to their population In othercities with transit-dedicated taxes these sourcescontribute a significant share of the transitagencyrsquos revenue In Houston the sales taxcontributes over 65 of Metrorsquos revenue In LosAngeles voters have approved transit-dedicatedsales taxes in multiple elections
The status quo of low subsidy and unpredictablefunding leaves Torontorsquos riders at great risk
30
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto TTC (2017)
Funding (304 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
31
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston MBTA (2017)
Funding (503 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
32
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago CTA (2017)
Funding (550 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
33
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston Metro (2016)
Funding (759 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
34
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Funding (792 subsidy of operations spending) Expenses (mixed capital amp operations)
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
Los Angeles Metrorsquos annual budget combines capital and operations making direct comparisons difficult
35
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal STM (2016)
Funding (511 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
36
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Vancouver Translink (2017)
Funding (602 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
37
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC WMATA (2018)
Funding (525 subsidy) Expenses
(All figures lsquo000rsquos)
38
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Farebox Recovery RatioOperating costs covered by passenger fares
41
129
208
333
398
415
696
558
460
Houston (MTAHC 2016)
Los Angeles (LACMTA 2016)
Boston (MBTA 2016)
Chicago (CTA 2016)
Washington DC (WMATA 2016)
Toronto (TTC 2017)
Vancouver (Translink 2017)
Montreal (STM 2016)
Farebox Recovery does not include capital costs(new construction vehicles buildings signals etc)
TTC Operating Budget (2017)
Other Revenue
304
Fares696
39
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Annual Operating SubsidyTotal subsidy from all sources
40
759
792
503
525
550
304
511
602
Houston Metro (2016)
Los Angeles Metro (2017)
Boston MBTA (2017)
Washington DC Metro (2018)
Chicago CTA (2017)
Toronto TTC (2017)
Montreal STM (2016)
Vancouver Translink (2017)
$1177
$884
$681
$538
$318
$210
$212
$478
Operating Budget per TripPer-unlinked-trip representation of
total budget from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
857mtrips
$210per trip
$18bbudget
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
$475
$412
$337
$273
$237 $229
$175
$090
$116
$169$186 $190 $196 $190
$230
$308
$374
$456USA (2016 US$) Canada (2015$) GTHA (2015$)TTC (2017$)
Subsidy per Transit RiderPer-rider representation of the total subsidy from all sources
Example TTC (2017) rounded figures
553000000rides
$090 subsidyper ride
$495000000total subsidies
41
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Dedicated revenue sourcesSalesTax
Gas and Fuel Taxes
Parking Tax
Dev Charges
TollsPaid
ParkingVehicle
Tax
Land Transfer
Tax
Toronto ◼ ◼
Boston ◼ ◼
Chicago ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston ◼ ◼
Los Angeles ◼ ◼
Montreal ◼
Vancouver ◼ ◼ ◼
Washington DC ◼ ◼
Recommended by
Metrolinx Investment Strategy (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Land Value Capture
Toronto Region Board of Trade (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2014) ◼ ◼ + Corporate Income Tax
City of Toronto Staff Report (2012) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ + Vehicle Registration Tax
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Ontario Chamber of Commerce (2013) ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dedicated Revenue Sources and Recent Recommendations
42◼ Dedicated ◼ Partial None
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceCommonalities
bull No rider or Wheel-Trans rider representation on the Board
bull Regional population skews provincial government focus and funding toward regional commuters not in City of Toronto property tax base
bull No city has privatized local or regional transit agencies
Differencesbull Metrolinx board has no
elected representatives at all nor any who are accountable to the City of Toronto
bull PRESTO fare card controlled only by Province of Ontario
bull TTC Board public control only indirect and diversity unlegislated
There is no perfect or universal structure for regionaltransportation governance But there are lessons to be learnedGovernance of public infrastructure is part of citiesrsquo democraticpractice and as we design our structures we should be thinkingabout how to spend effectively be transparent in decision-makingrepresent the diversity of stakeholders affected and create spacefor long-term planning supported by sustainable funding These areall essential characteristics of a strong governance model
It is not possible to avoid politicizing transit decisions but weshould aim to strengthen decision-making processes to favourevidence and expertise for collective public benefit not partisanelectoral politics◼
Our report found that Torontorsquos governancestructure differs from other North American citiesin key ways
Torontorsquos principal transportation provider theTTC has limited oversight of transportation withinthe city It has no control of the road network ituses nor oversight of other forms oftransportation It thus has limited opportunity forprioritizing transit within roadspace or for thecoordination of transit with cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure
The TTC is currently phasing out the use of its owntickets tokens and passes with completionexpected by mid-2019 and provincial agencyMetrolinxrsquos PRESTO fare card will become the solenon-cash fare media option No other comparatorcity has a fare card fully controlled by anotherlevel of government with no local oversight
The Metrolinx Board of Directors is appointed bythe Premier through an Order-in-Council which
does not requiring legislative confirmation and itsmembership cannot include any electedrepresentatives (since 2009 reorganization) Noother comparator city has a board fullyappointed by the government with no openscreening or approval process Moresignificantly the City of Toronto has norepresentation on the Metrolinx Boardwhatsoever
The TTCrsquos Board of Commissioners is alsosomewhat unusual for having City Councillors as astrong majority of its members (one as Chair) anda limited role for civilian members Civilianmembers are required to hold ldquoexecutive-levelrdquoand ldquomanagementrdquo experience but notnecessarily any transit knowledge or experienceCouncil approves the membership of the Boardbut its Councillor members are chosen by themayor
Other comparator city Boards seek somerepresentation of diverse stakeholders andor
members with expertise and experience relatedto transit and transportation Only one cityincludes both rider and ParaTransit representationby law
Appointments of elected representatives areincluded as one way of representing the differentgeographic stakeholders in a region In the USappointments are often subject to counter-checking where the cityrsquos choices must beapproved by the state and vice versa In only onecity Boston does the province or state havemajority control over the network
Both Boards overseeing transit in Toronto aresignificantly politicized and vulnerable to partisaninterference to a degree not seen in other citiesWhen combined with inadequate and insecurefunding the vulnerability of the TTC is particularlyacute
43
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Toronto
City of Toronto
Toronto Parking Authority Board
2 Elected City Council members5 citizen members
ParkingBike Share
Toronto Transit Commission
7 Elected City Council members4 citizen members appointed by City
Council
Wheel-TransBus
StreetcarSubway
Province of Ontario
Metrolinx
14 unelected citizen members
appointed by provincial cabinet
GO TransitUP Express
PRESTO fare card
FutureLRT
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Greater Toronto Arearsquos25 cities amp towns
(5 additional in GTHA)
44
Greater Toronto amp Hamilton Area (GTHA)Population Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Boston
City of Boston
BikeShare
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MassDOTBoard of Directors
11 citizen members
appointed by Governor of
MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
ParkingParaTransitBus FerrySubway
Commuter Rail
CharlieCardFare Card
MBTA Fiscal and
MgmtControl Board
5 members appointed
by Governor
of MA
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
MassachusettsPopulation Density
Greater Bostonrsquos175 cities amp towns
MBTA Advisory
Board175 members appointed by chief elected
official of each city and town in the district
45
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Chicago
Regional Transportation Authority Board16 members total 5 appointed by the Mayor of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County Board President 5 by the ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo Board
Chairs (1 each) and 1 elected by a super-majority of Board members
Pace Board of Directors
13 members total 12 appointed by Collar Counties Board Chairs
and the Suburban members of the Cook
County Board (1 each) and 1 by the Mayor of Chicago Chair appointed by majority vote of all except the Mayor
ParaTransit Suburban Bus Vanpool
Chicago Transit Authority
Board of Directors7 members total
4 appointed by Mayor of Chicago and 3 by
the Governor of Illinois
Parking Bus Elevated Trains Ventra Fare
Card
Metra Board of Directors
11 members total 1 appointed by Mayor
of Chicago 4 by the Cook County Board 1 by the Cook County
Board President and 5 by the Collar
Counties Board Chairs (1 each)
Commuter Rail
Governor of Illinois
Mayor of Chicago
Cook County Board
Cook County Board
President
ldquoCollar Countiesrdquo
Board Chairs
Divvy Bike Share
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Illinois
Greater Chicagorsquos126 cities amp towns
City of ChicagoPopulation Density
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode 46
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Houston
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Harris CountyPopulation Density
Texas
Parking ParaTransit BusLight Rail Q Fare Card
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
9 members total 5 appointed by City of Houston 2 by Harris County Commissioners Court and 2 by the 14 Multi-Cities in
METRO Service Area
City of Houston
Harris County Commissioners
Court
14 Multi-Cities in METROrsquos
Service Area
47
Harris Countyrsquos 23 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Los Angeles
Bike Share Bike Paths Carpool Lanes Freeway Car Service Parking Bus Light Rail Subway TAP Fare Card
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board14 members total 5 LA County
Supervisors the Mayor of LA and 3 appointees and 4 council members of LA County member cities other than LA itself and the 14th non-voting member
by the Governor of California
Go
vern
or
of
Cal
ifo
rnia
May
or
of
Los
An
gele
s
Los Angeles Countyrsquos
87 Member Cities
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation modeLos Angeles CountyPopulation Density
Commuter Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board
11 members total 4 appointed by Southern California Regional Rail
Authority 2 by Orange County 2 by Riverside County 2 by San Bernadino
County and 1 by Ventura County
Ora
nge
Co
un
ty
Riv
ers
ide
Co
un
ty
San
Be
rnar
din
o C
ou
nty
Ve
ntu
ra C
ou
nty
Los Angeles County
48
Los Angeles Countyrsquos127 cities amp towns
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Montreal
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Taxibus ParaTransit Parking Bus Subway
OPUS Fare Card
Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors
7-10 members appointed by the City of Montreacuteal from its council
and the councils of the urban agglomeration (up to 7
members) 1 ParaTransitrepresentative and 2 rider
representatives 1 of whom must be under age 35
Commuter Rail
Reacuteseau de transport meacutetropolitainBoard of Directors
15 members total 4 appointed by Greater Montrealrsquos council (including
one rider and one ParaTransitrepresentative) 2 by the Island of
Montreal regional council 1 by Longueuil council 1 by Laval council
and the 8 mayors of cities on the North (4)
and South (4) shores
Co
mm
un
auteacute
meacutet
rop
olit
ain
ed
e M
on
treacutea
l
Agg
lom
eacuterat
ion
de
Lon
gueu
il
Vill
e d
e La
val
No
rth
Sh
ore
Sou
th S
ho
re
Island of Montrealrsquos15 Municipalities
Montreacuteal Agglomeration Council
49
Greater MontrealPopulation Density
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Greater Vancouverrsquos21 Municipalities Electoral Area and the Tsawwassen First Nation (above) andPopulation Density (left)
Vancouver
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Cit
y o
f V
anco
uve
r
Parking ParaTransit Ferry Bus SkyTrain Commuter Rail Compass Fare Card
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority(ldquoTranslinkrdquo) Board of Directors
11 members appointed by the Mayorsrsquo Council from shortlist prepared by the Screening Panel
Screening Panel
5 members appointed by the five organizations above
Mayorsrsquo Council
21 mayors of Metro Vancouver municipalities
and the Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation
BC
Min
iste
r o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Gre
ater
Van
cou
ver
Gat
eway
Co
un
cil
Ch
arte
red
Acc
ou
nta
nts
of
BC
Van
cou
ver
Bo
ard
of
Trad
e
50
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Washington DC
Jurisdiction
sBoards
Modes
Colour indicates majority control of transportation mode
Bike Share
Capital Bikeshare
Arl
ingt
on
Co
un
ty V
A
Ale
xan
dri
a V
A
Fair
fax
Co
un
ty V
A
Mo
ntg
om
ery
Co
un
ty M
D
Parking ParaTransit Bus Subway SmarTrip Fare Card
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors
16 members (8 voting 8 alternate) total with 4 appointed by Council of the District of Columbia 4 by Northern Virginia Transportation Commission 4 by Washington Suburban Transit Commission and
4 by United States Secretary of Transportation
No
rth
ern
Vir
gin
ia T
ran
spo
rtat
ion
C
om
mis
sio
n (
Vir
gin
ia)
Was
hin
gto
n S
ub
urb
an T
ran
sit
Co
mm
issi
on
(M
aryl
and
)
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Secr
etar
y o
f Tr
ansp
ort
atio
n
Population Density in the District of Columbia and its neighbor states of Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Council of theDistrict of Columbia
51
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Percentage of Local Agency Board from
Local Core CityCity
Region County
Province State
Federal Govt
Privatized Agency at any level
Rider representative on the Board
ParaTransitrepresentative on the Board
Unelected Board members
paid
Toronto 100 ◼ ◼
Boston 0 ◼
Chicago 31 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Houston 56 ◼ ◼
Los Angeles 31 ◼ ◼ ◼
Montreal 100 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Vancouver 5 ◼ ◼
Washington DC
25 ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Local Agency Boards of DirectorsMembership amp Control
Local Agency Board Members Representinghellip
52
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
Boards of Directors and Equity
2
2
3
1
6
6
4
5
5
7
13
9
8
6
9
8
5
6
5
7
Washington DC WMATA
Toronto TTC
Boston MBTA
Chicago CTA
Montreal RTM
Los Angeles Metro
Houston Metro
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Toronto Metrolinx
Gender
Me
n
Wo
me
n
0
0
0
1
3
2
4
5
2
4
17
11
10
10
11
9
10
10
7
3
Montreal RTM
Vancouver Translink
Montreal STM
Boston MBTA
Toronto Metrolinx
Toronto TTC
Los Angeles Metro
Washington DC WMATA
Houston Metro
Chicago CTA
Black Indigenous amp People of Colour
IncreasedBalance
Wh
ite
BIP
OC
53
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
FaresDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaontarioFare History httpstransittorontooncaspare0021shtml
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsnew-englanddataconsumerpriceindex_boston_tablehtmFare History httpbetametrobostondatacommonorgsite_mediauploadsDataDay2012_Pollack-The_State_of_MBTA_Financespdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmidwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_chicago_tablepdfFare History httpswwwchicagorailfancomfareshtml
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionssouthwestdataconsumerpriceindexhistorical_houston1967_tablepdfFare History httpswwwcapmetroorguploadedFilesCapmetroorgPlans_and_ProgressFare_Changefarestudy20final20draftpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionswestdataconsumerpriceindex_losangeles_tablepdfFare History httpssocatanetnewslettertransit-avocate-1992-1999 httphumantransitorg201003los-angeles-times-columnist-slams-transfer-penaltieshtml httpswwwmetronetnewssimple_prmetro-fare-changes-be-implemented-september-15-off
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcaquebecFare History httpwwwstminfoenaboutfinancial_and_corporate_informationbudget-and-reportsbudgets-stm
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaProvincial Inflation httpinflationcalculatorcabritish-columbiaFare History httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsrider_guideBuzzer20Vault1990s1997Buzzer_1997_09_19pdfhttpwwwcbccabcnewsbc-080723-Fare-Evasion-pwcpdf httpswwwhuffingtonpostca20121113translink-fare-increase_n_2126829htmlhttpdailyhivecomvancouvertranslink-fares-increase-july-1-2018 httpswwwcbccanewscanadabritish-columbiatransit-fares-hit-5-in-metro-vancouver-1726003 httpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsBC_Office_Pubsbc_2007bc_transit_btnpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgLocal Inflation httpswwwblsgovregionsmid-atlanticdc_washington_mdhtmFare History httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadHistory-of-Fare-Increases-FY2015pdf
Canada Inflation Calculator httpswwwbankofcanadacaratesrelatedinflation-calculatorUS Inflation Calculator httpswwwusinflationcalculatorcomFarebox Recovery Ratio httpsenwikipediaorgwikiFarebox_recovery_ratiohttpscmsftadotgovsitesftadotgovfilesdocsntd66026top-50-summary-and-complete-profile-set_1pdf
54
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
NetworksDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwTTCca GO Transit wwwgotransitcomMaps StreetcarSubway httpswwwttccaRoutesGeneral_InformationMapsindexjsp GO Transit httpswwwgotransitcomentrip-planningsystem-and-route-mapOperating Statistics httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCOperating_Statistics2016section_onejspCorporate Plan 2018-2022 httpttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommission_meetings2018January_25Reports1_Corporate_Plan_2018-2022pdf
Boston MBTA wwwMBTAcomMaps Subway httpswwwmbtacomschedulessubway Rail httpswwwmbtacomschedulescommuter-railExpansion httpswwwbostoncomnewslocal-news20171220mbta-changes
Chicago CTA wwwtransitChicagocom Metra wwwmetrarailcomMaps L Metra
Houston Metro wwwrideMetroorgMap httpswwwridemetroorgPagesSchedulesBusRailaspx
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet Metrolink wwwmetrolinktrainscomMap httpswwwmetronetridingmapsExpansion httpswwwmetronetprojectscrenshaw_corridor
Montreal STM wwwstminfo Exo (formerly AMTRTM) httpsrtmquebecMaps STM exo
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkcaMaps SkyTrain httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsTransit-System-Mapsaspx West Coast Express httpswwwtranslinkcaSchedules-and-MapsWest-Coast-ExpressWCE-Station-Mapsaspx
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom MARC httpsmtamarylandgovmarc-train VRE httpswwwvreorgMetroAccess httpswwwwmatacomserviceaccessibilitymetro-access
Additional network details UrbanRailnetRidership American Public Transportation Association Q4 2017 Ridership ReportMode Share Streetsblog Statistics Canada
55
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
BudgetsDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC wwwttcca2017-2018 TTC amp Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationCommittee_meetingsBudget2017November_17Reports1_2018_TTC_and_Wheel-Trans_Operating_Budgetspdf httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2017exbgrdbackgroundfile-100738pdf
Boston MBTA wwwmbtacom2017 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Statements httpsd3044s2alrsxogcloudfrontnetsitesdefaultfiles2017-12fy17-audited-financial-statementspdf
Chicago CTA wwwtransitchicagocom2017 Fiscal Year Budget Book httpwwwtransitchicagocomassets1finance_budgetFY17_Budget_Book_FINALpdf
Houston Metro wwwridemetroorgComprehensive Annual Financial Report 2016 httpswwwridemetroorgMetroPDFsFinancialAuditInformation2017FY2016-CAFRpdf
Los Angeles Metro wwwmetronet2018 Fiscal Year Proposed Budget httpsmediametronetabout_usfinanceimagesfy18_proposed_budget_2017-05pdf
Montreal STM httpstminfo2016 Annual Report httpwwwstminfositesdefaultfilesaffairespubliquesCommuniquesstm_rapport_annuel_2016_finalpdf
Vancouver Translink wwwtranslinkca2017 Business Plan and Operating and Capital Budget httpswwwtranslinkca-mediaDocumentsabout_translinkcorporate_overviewcorporate_reportsbusiness_plan2017_business_plan_and_operating_and_capital_budgetpdf
Washington DC
WMATA wwwwmatacom2018 Approved Budget httpswwwwmatacomaboutrecordspublic_docsuploadApproved-Budget-Final_v1pdf
Sankey Flow Diagrams wwwsankeymaticcomSubsidy per Rider 2017 TTC and Wheel-Trans Operating Budgets WatchdogorgRevenue Sources fileCUserscameronmacleodDownloadsDedicated20Revenue20Sources20for20Major20Transit20AgenciespdfRevenue Recommendations httpswwwtorontocalegdocsmmis2014exbgrdbackgroundfile-67455pdfhttpwwwocccaPublicationsThe-2Billion-Question_onlinepdfhttpswwwpolicyalternativescasitesdefaultfilesuploadspublicationsOntario20Office201305Torontos_2andHalf_Billion_Dollar_Questionpdfhttpwwwmetrolinxcomenregionalplanningfundinginvestment_strategyaspx
56
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
GovernanceDownload this report with clickable links at wwwCodeRedTOcom
CityRegion Source(s)
Toronto TTC Board httpswwwttccaAbout_the_TTCCommission_reports_and_informationindexjspMetrolinx httpwwwmetrolinxcomenaboutusboardboard_of_directors_biosaspxOntario Ministry of Transportation httpswwwontariocapageministry-transportationRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileGreater_toronto_area_mapsvgDensity httpscensusmappercamaps59110435789-794888
Boston MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) httpswwwmbtacomleadershipfmcbMBTA Advisory Board httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgMassachussetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) httpswwwmassgovorgsmassachusetts-department-of-transportationRegion httpwwwmbtaadvisoryboardorgabout-usDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_Massachusetts
Chicago Chicago Transit Board httpswwwtransitchicagocomboardMetra Rail Board of Directors httpsmetrarailcomabout-metraleadershipRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiCook_County_IllinoisDensity httpswwwflickrcomphotosmindfrieze4037618743httpsenwikipediaorgwikiChicago
Houston Metro Board httpswwwridemetroorgPagesBoardOfDirectorsaspxRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMap_of_Texas_highlighting_Harris_Countysvghttpswwwhoustontxgovcontrollerinvestorrelations2017invconfmetropdfDensity httpsenwikipediaorgwikiDemographics_of_TexashttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileHoustonpopulationdensityPNG
Los Angeles Metro Board httpswwwmetronetaboutboardMetrolink Board httpswwwmetrolinktrainscomaboutagencyboard-of-directorsRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLA_districts_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileLACountyPopDensitypng
Montreal Socieacuteteacute de transport de Montreacuteal Board of Directors (English link) httpwwwstminfoenaboutcorporate-governanceboard-directorsExo Governance (French link) httpsrtmquebecfra-proposgouvernanceRegion httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiMontrC3A9al Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111455470-736019
Vancouver Translink Governance httpswwwtranslinkcaAbout-UsGovernance-and-BoardaspxRegion httpsenwikipediaorgwikiVancouver Density httpscensusmappercamaps59111492756-1231155
Washington DC
WMATA Board of Directors httpswwwwmatacomaboutboard MARC httpsmtamarylandgovabout-mta VRE httpswwwvreorgaboutboardRegion httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWashington_DC_locator_mapsvgDensity httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileVirginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileMaryland_population_mappnghttpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileWest_Virginia_population_mappng httpscommonswikimediaorgwikiFileDelaware_population_mappng
Map Attributions
Canadian density maps ndash copy CensusMapper Data provided by Statistics Canada
Density Maps for California Delaware Maryland Massachusetts Texas Virginia and West Virginiandash copy JimIrwin CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Density Maps for Houston TX and Los Angeles County CA ndash Public Domain Government Agency Publication
Density Map for Chicago ndash copy David B Gleason CC-BY-SA-20
Region Maps for Greater Boston Area Harris County TX Los Angeles County CA Montreal and Texas ndash Public Domain
Region Map for Greater Toronto Area ndash copy mortadelo2005 CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
Region Map for Cook and DuPage Counties IL ndash copy DemocraticLuntz at English Wikipedia
Region Map for Los Angeles neighbourhood groupings ndash copy Peter Fitzgerald CC-BY-SA-20
Region Map for Vancouver ndash copy TastyCakes on English Wikipedia
Region Map for Washington DC ndash copy Patrickneil CC-BY-SA-30 GFDL
57
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom
Mixed Signals 2018
copy 2018 CodeRedTO
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 40 International License This license lets others remix tweak and build upon our work non-commercially as long as they credit CodeRedTO and license their new creations under the identical terms To view a copy of this license visit
httpcreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-sa40 or send a letter to Creative Commons PO Box 1866 Mountain View CA 94042 USA
Download this report at wwwCodeRedTOcom