'STEP BACKWARDS': World Cup will have 'ravine strategy,' but not free transit
Article content
A not-yet-released City of Toronto environmental plan, mandated by FIFA and received by the Toronto Sun after a freedom-of-information request, shows the soccer federation and the municipal government will use an array of topics, including several tied to diversity and labour matters, to sell the soccer celebration as being as earth-friendly as it can be.
Article content
Article content
Article content
That comes despite the tournament taking 'a huge step backwards' by not offering free transit for ticket holders.
Article content
Article content
In a brief statement, Sharon Bollenbach, executive director of the city's World Cup secretariat, confirmed the Sun has the most recent edition of the environmental document, Version 5, dated September 2024. Updates to the plan and 'other components of the city's legacy framework' should be released late this year or early in 2026, she said.
Article content
'The current plan is for accredited volunteers to receive complimentary transit access during the tournament,' Bollenbach added.
Article content
A TTC spokesperson confirmed to the Sun that World Cup host cities are required to offer free transit for volunteers, but said no other fare concessions are currently in the plans.
Article content
Just last year, news reports said World Cup ticket holders would get free access to the TTC.
Article content
Article content
Included in the freedom-of-information disclosure were notes from a January 2024 meeting that was attended by two city bureaucrats and representatives from FIFA and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which operates BMO Field.
Article content
Some World Cup host requirements have 'been relaxed and refined,' and 'free public transportation (is) no longer' a must, the notes say.
Article content
However, 'since 2014, free transit has been offered for all ticket holders, so not offering this would be a huge step backwards in 2026,' the notes add.
Article content
Notably, at the 2018 tournament in Russia, ticket holders enjoyed not just complimentary local transportation, but also free train rides between World Cup host cities.
Article content
Article content
A section of the environmental plan, headlined 'low carbon transportation,' says one of Toronto's objectives is to 'enhance active and public transportation accessibility and efficiency' for the tournament. It says other 'potential initiatives' are being considered, such as free parking at TTC lots, increased service from GO Transit stations, and more bike racks and bike share stations at BMO Field.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
5 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Newcastle United legend Nolberto Solano named as Pakistan coach
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Newcastle United legend Nolberto Solano has been appointed as head coach of Pakistan's senior and under-23 teams. Solano will take over from Stephen Constantine and his first major assignment will be the AFC Under-23 qualifiers in September where Pakistan is grouped with Cambodia, Iraq and Oman. He will also be in charge for the remainder of Pakistan's 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign, including a double-header against Afghanistan in October. Solano's appointment is the first major signing by the newly-elected Pakistan Football Federation with Mohsen Gilani as its president. 'Under President Mohsen Gilani's leadership, PFF proudly welcomes Nolberto Solano as Head Coach of Pakistan U23 with a pathway to the senior team!,' the PFF wrote on X while welcoming the former Peru winger. 'A true legend with EPL, World Cup & Copa América pedigree it's a new era for Pakistan football.' Solano was the assistant coach of Peru when his country qualified for the FIFA World Cup in 2018 in Russia after 36 years. He left the national team in 2022 when Peru failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar after it was beaten by Australia in an inter-continental playoff. Constantine led Pakistan to its first ever victory in a World Cup qualifier in Oct. 2023 and had been coaching the team on game-to-game basis after his one-year contract expired in November last year. ___ AP soccer:
CBC
8 hours ago
- CBC
Vancouver councillor addresses business concerns over FIFA contract
Last week, the website, theBreaker, detailed the City of Vancouver's contract with FIFA ahead of the upcoming 2026 World Cup in the city. The contract outlines how a large zone around B.C. Place stadium will have to be closed to traffic, prompting major concerns from businesses in downtown Vancouver. In response, Coun. Mike Klassen says that only certain businesses — like those seeking to compete with event sponsors, or pop-up food stands — will be affected by the closures.
Winnipeg Free Press
17 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Emma Meesseman will join the Liberty in her return to the WNBA, AP source says
NEW YORK (AP) — Emma Meesseman, the 2019 WNBA Finals MVP who last played in the league in 2022, is joining the New York Liberty, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Monday. The timing of the arrival of the 32-year-old from Belgium in the U.S. will be determined by how long it takes to get her visa, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because no official announcement has been made. ESPN first reported Meesseman's decision. The two-time All-Star, who helped the Washington Mystics win the 2019 title, has been focused on leading the Belgium national team since her last season in the WNBA, which she spent with the Chicago Sky. Meesseman played with Natasha Cloud, whom New York acquired in the offseason, in Washington when the Mystics won their championship six years ago. Meesseman helped Belgium win the EuroBasket title last month to qualify for next year's World Cup. She joins a stacked New York team with Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu that won its first championship last year. The 6-foot-4 forward also considered Minnesota and Phoenix. The Liberty currently sit second in the standings, 3 1/2 games behind the Lynx. Meesseman has dominated overseas in her time away from the WNBA. She was named the EuroBasket MVP twice in the past three years. And she helped Belgium reach the medal round at the Paris Olympics before it lost to France in overtime in the semifinals and then Australia in the bronze-medal game. New York signed Australian forward Stephanie Talbot earlier Monday. She was waived by Golden State last week. ___ AP WNBA:
