Toronto Environmental Alliance

No increase in transit use among commuters in last five years

March 4, 2008
Kaitlyn Coholan
Sun Media

Canadian commuters aren't taking to public transit, according to new census data released today.

Mary, who didn't want her last name used, has been commuting to Toronto from Mississauga five days a week for 21 years.

"I am tired of the commute," she said. "The city does not have the transportation system put in place to get people to leave their cars at home.

"They have not planned for more people, that's what's frustrating."

According to census data, 36,700 more people in Toronto opted for public transit between 2001 and 2006. That's only a 0.2 per cent increase.

More than 1.5 million Torontonians drive themselves to work, down 1.5 per cent over five years.

Franz Hartmann, executive director of the Toronto Environment Alliance, said Toronto's transit system isn't as advanced as it should be.

"When people don't have options, they drive," Hartmann said. "We need more public investment in transit."