Mayoral contender Karen Stintz has confirmed she’ll step down as chair of the Toronto Transit Commission as soon as the 2014 budget is finalized by council, in January or February.

She said the decision is an attempt to avoid controversy.

“I don’t want anyone to suggest I’m trying to use the TTC as a platform (for the mayor’s race),” Stintz told the Toronto Star on Tuesday.

The councillor for Ward 16, Eglinton-Lawrence, says she would like her ward mate, Councillor Josh Colle (Ward 15) to take over as TTC chair. She cited his experience on the TTC board and his career working in the transportation sector prior to being elected three years ago.

It is up to city council to decide who chairs the TTC, but Stintz said she expects Colle will have the confidence of his colleagues there.

Stintz, who ended months of speculation by formally declaring her intention to run for mayor on the weekend, said she wants to shepherd the 2014 transit budget through to the end of the council approval process, which could take until February.

She and TTC CEO Andy Byford are arguing for an increase in the TTC’s operating subsidy from the city. Stintz says she’s looking at a formula that would bring the subsidy into the range of $440 million from the $411 million level it has been given the past two years.

Under the proposed formula, there would be a predictable fare increase but it would be held to the rate of inflation — about 5 cents, she said.

She acknowledged that the TTC has confronted difficult choices during the three years since she was appointed to lead it by Mayor Rob Ford. When she broke with the mayor over the firing of former TTC chief general manager Gary Webster, Stintz’s position was confirmed by a vote of council.

Under Stintz, the TTC increased its crowding standards and trimmed bus routes even as ridership increased. But there has also been progress, with improved cleanliness, communications, a new customer charter and a corporate plan.

“We’ve begun the journey forward,” she said.

Stintz acknowledged that her opponents in next year’s election will likely refer to her change of heart on the Scarborough subway issue. After originally arguing in favour of LRT to replace the Scarborough RT, Stintz helped lead the charge for a subway in subsequent council debates.

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But she said she has no regrets.

“We built consensus at council,” she said. “It took us three years, but I believe we have a plan that is best for the city and I will defend that plan in the next election.”

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