This money being spent on the TTC has nothing to do with with the unions of running the system. All this money is for CAPITAL improvments, like new buses, streetcars, subways, etc.
When it comes to operating the transit system the TTC happens to be the most efficiant transit system in the western world. So I don't know what you guys are talking about with this money going to unions or that we need automated trains to reduce costs.
The TTC pays for over 80% of operating costs from the fare box. So when it comes to the actual operation of the system, the rider is paying largest share.
Larger then any transit system in the western world.
In Europe which everyone loves to use as an example, less then 50% of operating costs are covered by fares in most cities.
So at 80% Toronto is tops. In Canada as a whole, riders pay for 60% of the operating costs from fares. Highest fare recovery in the western world, again beating out European countries, the USA, etc.
Canadian transit does not cost alot to run.
So remember, this money is for CAPITAL funding, not OPERATING
Also TTC's high fare recovery rate is not always looked at as a good thing. The high fare recovery often points to underfunding, overcrowding, etc.
A note on Hong Kong. The transit system only makes money because they own land and sell it off to developers. But the actualy rapid transit network loses money, and would need gov subsidy if the MTR had no land to sell off.
Following is a report from the TTC on operating funding.
----------------
Subsidy in Canadian dollars. Subsidy in millions. Riders in millions for the year.
City--------Subsidy-------Revenue/Cost Ratio---Riders-----Subsidy/Rider
TTC---------148---------------81%-----------418-----------35¢
Montreal----254---------------56%-----------348-----------73¢
Vancouver--254---------------54%-----------129-----------$1.97
Chicago----653---------------52%------------283-----------$2.31
Cleveland---260---------------22%-----------64------------$4.09
New York---1,768-------------61%---------1.691-----------$1.05
Philadelphia--597-------------50%----------216------------$2.76