As of yesterday, fares increased by more than 10 per cent for most TTC users. Those that received a Christmas bonus or pay raise can perhaps absorb the hike without complaint, but the rest of us will have to fit the increase into existing budgets. Since riders can expect fares to go up in a year — and, hopefully, not before — we also ought to look at the TTC’s budget.

Transit watcher Steve Munro has noted that the cost to operate the city’s buses, streetcars and subways is set to rise by between six and seven per cent in 2010. Staffing and fuel head the list of TTC costs, but there is a huge array of other items that add to the pressure.

If that rate continues into 2011 and beyond, then the politicians and staff who oversee Toronto’s transit system have an obligation to project how much more it will need every year to operate and grow the system. And they need to explain why this is so far above inflation.

What kind of fare hikes can TTC riders expect every year, and will they get better service to go with it? GO Transit usually raises fares in March or April, and trumpets recent expansion at the same time.

Leaving aside overall improvements in schedule reliability and employee courtesy, the TTC can argue it is at least upgrading service. Two new transit-only routes opened recently — to York University and along St. Clair — and work is underway to build light rail lines across the city.

However, even if these lines attract more riders, the nature of public transit is that each new user still needs to be subsidized by tax dollars. When the Sheppard subway opened, it was an immediate drain on TTC finances and future lines will be too, unless a stable funding mechanism is worked out between governments.

During the fare hike drama of late 2009, several organizations came forward to voice concerns — some even formed a coalition known as TTC Riders (ttcriders.ca).

Transit advocates and user groups can be useful if they bring attention to the larger transportation funding picture, as well as demand specific improvements to the riding experience.

We need healthy ongoing discussion about making transit better — even while containing costs. Let’s have a rough idea how much fares are going up in January 2011, and 2012, instead of the usual last-minute debate and ensuing complaint binge.

After token hoarding and the inconvenient replacement tickets last month, many have asked why the commission can’t just implement a price change overnight. I would argue that as a tax-funded public agency the TTC must justify its policies — including pricing schemes — and allow the public ample chance to comment.

Toronto-based transport writer Ed Drass covers transit issues every Monday; transit@eddrass.com.