The Toronto Transit Commission has decided to consult the public before they decide how to slash millions from their budget -- and it looks like some riders will have a lot to say.

As the TTC held an emergency meeting Friday to discuss deep cuts to its services, commuters on the Sheppard subway line wondered how they'll get to work if the service is slashed.

Chantal Singh, one of the estimated 40,000 people who ride the line every day, said it would be crazy for the city to cut a service she and many others count on.

"I rely on it a lot because it's a daily thing for me," Singh said.

"I think it's ridiculous, because look at how many people use the subway."

The Sheppard line, which costs the city about $10 million a year to operate, may be shut down, along with 20 underused bus routes in the city, including the 26 Dupont, 67 Pharmacy and 120 Calvington.

During the meeting, officials also discussed the possibility of hiking transit fares from the current price of $2.75, and eliminating one streetcar route.

Studies have shown fewer people choose transit when the TTC raises its fares, and more people living in east-end suburbs might choose to drive downtown instead if they no longer have access to the Sheppard subway line.

The process was frustrating for the commission's chief general manager Gary Webster, who cringed at having to cut services when ridership is at an all-time high.

"This is very frustrating for all of us," Webster said.

"We told our customers very clearly, and we've been telling them for a year ... that our plan was to add more service."

The cuts and price hikes are being suggested as ways to help alleviate Toronto's budget deficit, but one TTC rider who commutes from Mississauga thinks Mayor David Miller should cut his own paycheque before targeting services.

"He's trying to bulldoze his way to more taxes -- I think he should reduce his own salary first," he said.

Miller ordered city agencies to immediately cut back on their discretionary spending after city council opted to defer his motion to implement a new land transfer tax -- which would have brought in $356 million in new revenue for the city.

Miller and his allies on council were defeated by their colleagues who chose instead to wait and see if an election-savvy provincial government will come through with more cash.

On Thursday, Miller told The Globe and Mail that the city's finances are in a dire situation.

"We don't have the room to manoeuvre any more," he said, explaining why he's asked all city agencies to hack away at unnecessary expenses.

TTC chair Adam Giambrone said Thursday he was asked to shave off $30 million from this year's budget and $100 million off of next years budget. All together, he said the cancelled routes will save $1 million this year and $10 million in 2008.

But another city councillor told CTV politicians warnings the subway could be stopped in its tracks are just trying to scare other councillors and Torontonians into accepting tax hikes as an alternative.

"I think it's a bluff," Coun. Michael Thompson said flatly.

Further cuts

Miller's move could potentially cost taxpayers not only money but quality of life. These are some of the other cuts being discussed:

  • The TTC would also have to cut many of its scheduled service improvement repairs.
  • Libraries and community centres were also asked to cut back, which means many of them will likely have to close early to save on employee costs.
  • Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair is also taking a close look at his service to see where $10 million worth of cuts can be made to the $785 million budget. He was adamant, however, that the promise of 5,100 additional uniformed officers on the street would not be compromised.

Even Miller said he would pay for the cuts. He said the scheduled $1.2 million expansion of his office and his office staff will have to be put off for now.

Aside from causing a blow to residents of Toronto with transit cuts, the mayor is also being accused of going against his much-publicized eco-friendly platform.

With a reports from CTV's Naomi Parness and Desmond Brown