Taking the Y out of YRT

Excal.on.ca
September 7, 2018
Victoria Silman

Starting September 2, York Region Transit (YRT) will no longer be servicing York’s campus. VIVA buses will, however, stop at Pioneer Village, where students can pay a TTC fare to continue to the York University subway station.

According to the YRT website, the reason bus service to York has ended is because of an agreement made with TTC as a result of the subway extension to Vaughan. “This agreement was made in order to avoid duplication of service between YRT and the TTC Line 1 Subway,” according to the website.

TTC spokesperson Stuart Green also clarified that measures are being taken to discuss the possibility of fare integration.

According to Green, “the discussion about fare integration GTA-wide is ongoing. We are working with our partners at Metrolinx--owners and operators of the PRESTO system--and the other regional transit agencies including YRT to find a solution that works for all.”

For the time being, however, “the TTC does offer a discounted Metropass for full-time post-secondary students and the post-secondary monthly pass on PRESTO will be available in November,” says Green.

Due York being a commuter school, students have expressed a multitude of frustrations concerning the service changes.

Celia Lewin, a third-year biomedical science student, voiced her frustrations as someone who will be affected by this change.

“This will make my commute longer and more expensive. Even paying an extra fare to take the subway onto campus will end up taking more time than what I previously experienced.

“Most students are frustrated by their lack of options and the increased cost they face,” she explains.

“The YRT is making Pioneer Village almost inaccessible from Thornhill. They are getting rid of the express bus, the VIVA Purple, so the only options will be to take a bus that only comes every 45 minutes, the 3, or to take the express bus, VIVA Orange, to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and pay the extra fare to subway to York.

“If I choose to take the subway my transit costs will increase by $800 this year. That is a considerable increase for students to have to pay.”

Lewin is heading a petition to push for YRT and TTC to integrate fares to ensure a fairer commute for students. Her petition called Break Down the Unfair 2-Fare Wall at York University has already garnered 319 signatures, but more is needed to take the petition to city council.

YRT’s website does explain that fare integration is a possibility in the future, however students will be required to pay an additional fare when boarding Line 1 to York University at this time.

Since many students are commuting from York Region, Lewin suggests they get involved in pushing for a fairer commute. She advises: “On a provincial level students can contact their MPP and the Ontario Minister of Transportation, John Yakabuski.

“On a municipal level they can contact their local and regional councillors.”

“I also recommend talking to YFS because a U-pass is an option, but when they were approached with the option they declined.”