The Toronto Board of Trade is calling on Toronto's auditor-general to investigate as to whether or not the average Toronto taxpayer is actually getting its money's worth.
Toronto, Canada - As the Toronto Transit Commission is looking to revamp its public image, the Toronto Board of Trade is calling for the city’s auditor-general to find out if the taxpayers in the Greater Toronto Area are getting their money’s worth, according to 680 News.
The request comes as the TTC requested a larger budget by a 9.1 per cent increase in the same year transit riders received an across-the-board fare hike. However, the TTC’s Vice Chairman, Joe Mihevic, justified their budgets by explaining that the ridership of their transit system continues to increase on an annual basis, reports the Globe and Mail.
President of the Toronto Board of Trade, Carol Wilding, said, “Torontonians don't feel like they're getting value for money from (the) TTC. When you look at the budget for this year, you've got a 9.1-per-cent increase.”
Nevertheless, Mihevic said he would love to have an audit but doesn’t think the council should order the audit, “Should the TTC be singled out as this rogue agency? Absolutely not.”
A proposal has also been introduced for civilian oversight to allow three members of the public with a background in business with six elected officials on the nine-member panel, however, the idea has been rejected, reports the National Post.
Howard Moscoe, former TTC Chairman, explained having nine elected officials on the board will assure accountability, “Politicians are there to reflect the will of the people. They are the citizens on the TTC.”
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