1.07.2009

transit and unintended consequences.

I'm officially confused by the TTC.


Starting in April, buying a monthly metropass will no longer get me free parking at Finch Station.  My current monthly transportation budget looks something like this: $109 (Metropass) + $50 - 75 (Gas) = approx $175 a month.

Come April, when parking starts costing $6 / day, my expenses start looking like this: $109 (Metropass) + $50-75 (Gas) + $120-138 (Parking) = approx $300 a month.

Curiously, driving the entire way to work would likely result in a 50/50 mix of free and paid parking (which is probably underestimating how often I could get an office spot), with an estimated cost breakdown of: $150-200 (Gas) + $40-48 (parking) = approx $200 a month.

I understand that transit is expensive to maintain, but does it actually make sense to create a situation where a single person, driving from suburbia to the downtown core every day, is SAVING MONEY by ignoring public transit?  Not a few dollars, understand.  We're discussing nearly $100 per month in savings, understanding that despite increased mileage, maintenance costs exist in either scenario.

The reason I'm bringing this up, other than my desire to complain?  I've heard a lot about the justification for this move, mostly due to the 'lost' money that free parking for metropass holders results in.  I refuse to believe that there isn't a large population of people in the same situation as me.  No planning decision that increases costs to the user unilaterally results in more money.  Watch out for unintended consequences.

Like a fairly environmentally conscious guy deciding to drive his car to work everyday.

2 comments:

Ash said...

thats pretty ridiculous. while i can understand the TTC wanting to cash in on the parking situation, why wouldnt they just offer some sort of deal to pass-holders, even if it means buying an additional parking pass?
TTC is always crying for more money... It will be interesting to see how having to pay for parking will influence peoples use of public transit. Is there a lot of parking @ finch anyway? i havent been there in ages.

Marge said...

At least their website is actually usable now. They're not perfect, but they're working on it.