03-07-2022, 05:58 PM
(03-07-2022, 05:00 PM)danbrotherston Wrote:(03-07-2022, 04:29 PM)tomh009 Wrote: Thanks. So, one factor was the cost: Presto won't participate in an RFP, and would not provide operating or capital cost estimates, according to the article. That does make it difficult to determine whether Presto's cost is competitive or not.
And for the flexibility:
As an example for this, the region would have needed to implement exactly the same affordable transit pass as the other Presto members, rather than being able to tailor it for our region (for example, our ATP provides discounted single fares, Presto does not).
Given the lack of flexibility and the lack of clarity about costs, I suspect that I would have chosen against Presto as well had I been making the decision. Metrolinx has chosen to provide a standardized service, as is their right, but that does mean it may not fit the requirements as well for any given region.
I find this a really uncompelling argument. We are not a special flower. I don't see anything about our region that necessitates some unique fare structure. We may WANT to do things differently, and that's entirely reasonable, but it is entirely based on preference. I don't see that there is anything local here that uniquely REQUIRES or JUSTIFIES us doing something differently.
As for the clarity about costs, I'm not a corporate accountant and I wasn't present for the negotiations. I'm not sure at what point Presto details would have become known, and I completely agree that we should not sign a blank cheque. But I also don't really believe that is the circumstance that would occur. Keep in mind, before the RFP no prices were known at all, we only knew what our estimates was. I am certain that a Presto number could have been known, if we had pursued it.
What is clear to me is that staff did not want presto, and neither did council. Regardless of whether it was for a good reason or bad, or whether long term it was a good decision or bad, it was made based on the wishes of council and staff, and they were not interested in public input on that decision.
I might be wrong about this, but I thought the biggest issue was university passes. AFAIK, Presto would not support (and still does not support) any kind of u-pass system like the Region already had in place with the local universities (where there is a hugely discounted subscription, but it requires all students to have to mandatorily subscribe). Financially that would have been a big hit to them and would have required them to break their agreements with the universities. Obviously it could be done, but I suspect the Region was very worried ridership would crater without students having a mandatory pass. Presto also had a ton of bad press at the time as I recall with Toronto essentially allowing anyone to board free at a number of stations for months while issues were resolved (I remember being at such a station). With that all being said, I think we should be thinking about moving to Presto since I do think universality is such a big benefit. I really don't think the decision at the time was so black and white though as others have said.