TTC boss Andy Byford says Monday was “an historic day for the TTC.” And he’s not the only one ecstatic over Mayor John Tory’s bold and unexpected transit announcement at a public school in the city’s west end.

Students at Joyce Public School were heard chanting “John Tory, John Tory” as they moved from the main building to a portable, even as Tory held a news conference in the school’s parking lot.

They may be kids, but they know a good thing. Tory had just told them that starting March 1 all Toronto kids aged 12 and under will ride transit free. The TTC bus in the parking lot flashed the sign, KIDS RIDE FREE. And the future voters greeted the news with glee.

Their parents? Well, there is some medicine to go with the late Christmas present. The adults will pick up the tab in two ways: a 10-cent fare hike; and a $43-million bump in the amount of taxes the city gives the TTC.

In all, the TTC will get a $95-million boost. If city council approves the measures, the TTC will be able to:

Add two subway trains to morning and afternoon rush-hour service on the Yonge-University and the Bloor-Danforth lines. This is in addition to a similar boost last fall.

Expand (to 34 from 22) the network of routes that provide overnight service for four million riders.

Increase the express bus network, adding four new routes to a network serving 34 million rides a year.

Better manage and reduce the frustrating practice of bunching, and short-turning of transit vehicles.

Buy 50 new buses and set up a temporary storage facility.

This new largesse for transit comes out of the blue.

The TTC had published a wish-list last spring and Tory the candidate for mayor criticized them for, in effect, trying to shake down the politicians. During the municipal election last year it was Olivia Chow who seemed most likely to implement such measures. In fact, Tory routinely excoriated Chow’s initiatives around more and better bus services and transit funding.

Now, less than two months in office, Tory is a TTC convert. And Byford says just about everything on the wish-list is being granted. The TTC must deliver on Tory’s vote of confidence, Byford said.

Tory the candidate promised not to raise fares. He scoffed at the idea of more tax funding for the TTC. He was all about SmartTrack, a heavy rail project not on the TTC’s list. He took great pains to paint the TTC as slow to respond to needs and behind the times.

Byford’s elation at the repentant Tory undoubtedly reflects that of most transit advocates. Meanwhile, the political criticism — deserved for someone who now admits he didn’t now what he was talking about — will rage.

“I’m being honest with you,” Tory told reporters Monday. He didn’t understand the extent of the transit cutbacks and the huge impact it had on riders. So, to do the right thing and repair the damage of his predecessor, he had to break his promise.

Tory is now travelling a tricky path. He promised to privatize garbage east of Yonge. Recently he delayed implementation, seeking further studies. Now, he’s reversed field on transit.

Neither policy reversal will bother many citizens who, unlike Tory, followed these issues closely. In fact, the mayor might be able to ride out any turbulence caused by his flip-flop primarily because his approach seems sensible, methodical, and rational.

But there is this: Tory’s most unfortunate promise was his contention he could build SmartTrack without a dollar of property taxes or tolls or vehicle fees or parking levies. He can’t. And if he pulls a Houdini, it will gobble up funds desperately needed for other city projects.

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Now that we know Tory can change his mind on matters of serious public policy — that he can be educated and will succumb to reason — anything is possible.

Hmmm. The people shifting uncomfortably in their seats are the city’s hard-line conservatives who want less government, more privatization, less transit subsidies — consequences be damned.

Royson James usually appears Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Email: rjames@thestar.ca

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