TTC fares are set to rise by a dime and the transit agency will receive a $53-million increase in subsidy funding from the city to hire 50 more special constables to deal with violent crime.

In making the announcement, Mayor John Tory says if the TTC budget’s approved by city council, it would also cover a fare freeze for seniors and on monthly passes and expansion of the low-income discount program for an additional 50,000 users.

The mayor says the additional special constables would be part of an effort to target violent crime ”hotspots” in the system, identified through police and transit incident tracking, increased police presence and more training for TTC workers.

”Investing in our transit system is one of my top priorities for the next four years,” adds Tory.

”While this is a challenging year for the city, we are investing to keep transit safe, improve service, and support seniors and low-income residents.”

Tory’s also renewing calls to the provincial and federal governments for a new, sustainable, long-term operating funding model.