The City of Toronto has suspended a program that provides discounted TTC fares to low-income riders, leaving vulnerable residents with reduced access to transit at a time when many were already struggling. City spokesperson Alex Burke confirmed that the social development, finance and administration department stopped processing applications for the Fair Pass Program on March 17 as the COVID-19 crisis hit. Although the discount is applicable for rides on the TTC, it’s a city department, not the transit agency itself, that administers the program. The discount is programmed onto Presto cards, which are overseen by Metrolinx, a provincial agency, not the city or TTC. To prove eligibility, the city must confirm riders’ status with OW and ODSP, which are provincial programs.

Source: thestar September 25, 2020 21:56 UTC