Should Toronto create a congestion fee? New poll says over 50% of residents considered moving to avoid traffic chaos

Toronto’s local board of trade says a congestion fee is a step to consider after a new poll reveals the economic and personal impacts of city traffic.

Toronto’s traffic has reached crisis levels according to a new report by the Toronto Regional Board of Trade and may lead to brain drain, economic difficulties and job losses, which experts say requires multi-faceted, creative solutions to fix. 

A poll released by the Toronto Region Board of Trade (TRBT) on Tuesday found that 53 per cent of people surveyed have considered leaving the GTHA as a result of traffic congestion. 

“The data highlights a troubling trend: traffic congestion is more than an inconvenience; it stands as a driving factor behind the potential exodus of our future workforce,” TRBT said in a press release on Tuesday. 

Among key working age groups, the desire to leave is even stronger with 64 per cent of 18-34 year olds saying they have considered relocating.

Respondents also expressed concern over unpredictable travel times and streets running over capacity.

Furthermore, 42 per cent of people said they steer clear of shopping, going out for entertainment and attending sporting events to bypass traffic.

“This avoidance leads to reduced revenue for businesses and potential job losses in the retail industry,” the TRBT says.

Additionally, 38 per cent said they refrain from dining out which may directly impact hospitality and restaurant businesses.

The TRBT says such behavioural changes are indicative of a threat to residents’ quality of life and create a high level of inconvenience that could have lasting impacts on the economy at large.

The poll also found there is strong support for 24-hour construction along major travel passages, with 85 per cent of respondents saying they understand the “broader implications” of traffic on the economy.

“There is robust support for immediate measures. Residents are willing to endure short-term inconveniences for long-term benefits if it means clearing up congested streets faster,” the report says.

CONGESTION FEE IN TORONTO

In response to the crisis, businesses throughout the city have been meeting with Mayor Olivia Chow since last fall to discuss ways to encourage workers to come back to the office post-pandemic as services that typically rely on in-office clientele struggle to stay afloat. But, widespread travel delays pose a threat to those plans and Chow said it is in the hands of businesses to figure out a solution.

“While I share their desire for a downtown recovery, when it comes to returning to in-office work, it’s up to employers and workers to determine what’s best,” she said in a statement on June 11. 

“My goal as Mayor is to help create a city, including downtown, that is vibrant and dynamic. We do that by building more affordable housing close to where people work, and fixing transit and congestion so that your commute isn’t a chore. So that you have the flexibility to return to the office if it makes sense for you,” her statement continued.

The city said it has considered many solutions to alleviate traffic including a “congestion fee or tax,” to deincentivize drivers. However, the city is concerned it would not have a big enough impact because most driving is business-related, meaning a charge could be written off as an expense.

“An additional concern includes adverse impacts on citizens who must travel by car to meet critical work commitments, and childcare or health-related needs that would incur a new tax without the benefit of easing congestion,” Roger Brown, director, traffic management, City of Toronto, told Now Toronto in an email statement on Tuesday. 

While the TRBT said it is in favour of considering a congestion charge and alluded to rejigging incentives as a way to encourage people to use alternate modes of transportation, it said a congestion charge would have to be part of a wider strategy to be effective.

“It’s [congestion charge] definitely something that’s worth study, but only as part of a comprehensive set of plans to address our congestion crisis,”TRBT told Now Toronto in an email statement on Tuesday, before alluding to Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s concerns about tolls due to the inflated cost of living. 

“For that reason, politicians of all stripes have declined to implement road tolls in our region over the years,” it said. 

Congestion fees are commonplace globally and implemented in cities like London, England, Stockholm, Milan and Singapore.

“All over the world you find people paying to use roads, just like people pay to use transit systems. If we can lower car volume while raising money for transit, that’s worth looking into,” the TRBT continued. 

It also said congestion charges don’t work in isolation, especially without the presence of reliable, far reaching public transport.

CONGESTION FEE FOR CONSTRUCTORS

However, Brown assured that ongoing travel disruptions are temporary and will lead to long-term benefits.

“The current construction taking place across Toronto will support more housing, improve access to transit and other transportation options, make journeys safer and more efficient for all road users, and benefit Torontonians for generations to come,” he said.

Though a congestion charge does not exist for regular drivers in Toronto, the city is investigating the implementation of a Congestion Management Recovery Fee that would be charged to constructors who cause lane closures. 

“This fee would serve as a deterrent to constructors choosing to do work during peak hours and would potentially have increased costs associated with the duration, length of the closure, and traffic impacts because of the closure,” Brown explained. 

The suggested fee is intended to encourage constructors to plan road closures in a way that considers congestion impacts over the convenience of working during peak hours and for unnecessary periods of time, the city explained.

“Funds from the Congestion Management Recovery Fee would go towards expanding the city’s efforts towards better managing traffic congestion such as the hiring of more traffic agents and the implementation of technology,” Brown concluded.