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ARChive: Diary of ARC Happenings
Toronto cyclists standing together.
legal defence, direct action, lobbying, education
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ARC against transit fare hikes!
In April 1999 during the City budget process, ARC joined the fight for a properly funded transit system in Toronto. Materials from this action available here:
Timeline of Events
On Apr. 6, the day before the meeting of the TTC committee which was to decide whether transit fares would be increased, ARC joined Rocket Riders, the transit users group, at the intersection of Yonge & Bloor (one of Toronto's busiest TTC stations). ARC members collected a 10 cent voluntary "toll" from drivers who were stopped at traffic lights. The toll collectors were dressed up as asthma medication dispensers, usually known as ventilators. ARC's action tied the proposed fare hike to degraded air quality resulting from increased car trips. The TTC committee meeting on Apr 7th deferred the decision about the fare increase. On April 19th, TTC workers went out on strike which lasted for 2 days. On April 22nd, partly due to pressure from activists, the TTC committee voted against a fare increase, requesting instead that the city provide a subsidy for the needed funds for the TTC. However, sadly, on April 27th, the City Council voted in favour of a 10 cent fare increase.
TTC Good! Asthma Bad!
It was cold and early (this is the third ARC action in a row that fits this description!) but the giant ventilator and toll collectors at Yonge & Bloor this morning received a warm welcome. Well, perhaps that's stretching it. The pedestrians gave us the same glass-eyed stare they give to the guys handing out flyers for free eye-checkups at Bloor & Bay, and the car drivers were often a little over-eager to evade the toll collectors. However, many did take flyers and signed the petitions and many drivers paid a toll. The toll collection yielded $33.88 which ARC topped up to $50 and donated to Sick Kid's asthma unit.
Look for us tonight on City and Global and in the Globe today.
Intersection Online
Detour Page
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