Canada’s public transit systems were built to move cities forward — but today, riders are opting out in record numbers. In this episode, we unpack why billions in funding haven’t translated into safety, reliability, or public trust. Host Mike Wixson sits down with Paul Micucci and Jeremy Grimaldi to examine falling ridership, rising crime, and the leadership failures crippling transit systems in Toronto, Vancouver, and beyond.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why TTC ridership is down 118 million riders from its peak

• How billions in annual subsidies still fail to deliver safe transit

• The growing link between crime, mental health, and transit use

• Why people now prioritize owning a car just to escape transit

• What cities like London and New York do differently — and why Canada won’t

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• (00:00:00) - Toronto's transit system: problems, congestion
• (00:05:50) - Toronto subway riders speak out about service
• (00:08:23) - Toronto subway: Should we need a subway?
• (00:11:47) - Toronto's subway system
• (00:15:10) - Ontario politician on transit safety
• (00:18:27) - Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow reacts to subway stabbing
• (00:20:41) - Toronto crime on public transit
• (00:29:25) - Toronto police say mental health cases on TTC
• (00:30:07) - Toronto Transit Riders Feel Unsafe