The TTC is considering cutting the discounted Metropass (PDF) for part-time post-secondary students. The recommendation, which will be made formally at the Commission's next meeting, comes at a time when the TTC is looking to make up a budgetary shortfall after a fare hike was avoided earlier this year. So it makes sense, right?

Financially speaking it certainly does. Should the TTC restrict eligibility to the $99 Metropass, it'd save around $1.4 million. And, as Brad Ross notes, there's precedence for doing so based on the fact that other North American cities also reserve the discount for full-time students.

The problem with this proposal (if you think there is one) is that part-time students are often the ones with the greatest need for a reduced rate. These are people who, for the most part, are both working and attending school, eligible for less OSAP, and far more likely to rely on the TTC as a mode of transportation (no residence for part-timers).

Although anecdotal, having taught at the post-secondary level in the past, it was remarkable to learn just how difficult it is for some part-timers (particularly those who are also parents) to make ends meet. I know it's only $20 bucks a month, but on a symbolic level — and hasn't Toronto budgeting become all about symbols this year — it'd send a pretty shitty message to take away this tiny kickback.

Still, the TTC budgetary hardship is also very real. So, let's send this one to a poll. What do you think? Should the TTC get rid of its discounted Metropass for part-time students?

Photo by Dennis Marciniak.