Toronto Transit Commission

Toronto Transit Commission
Agency overview
Formed	1954
Preceding agency	Toronto Transportation Commission
Jurisdiction	Toronto (also operates routes in Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, and Mississauga)
Headquarters	Toronto
Employees	11,235[1]
Agency executives	Gary Webster, General Manager Adam Giambrone, Chairperson
Website
TTC.ca

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is a public transport authority that operates buses, streetcars, subways, and rapid transit lines in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Established in 1954, the TTC has grown to comprise three subway lines and an elevated rapid transit line with a total of 69 stations, as well as 149 connecting surface routes (buses and streetcars) of which 148 routes make 243 connections with a subway or rapid transit station during weekday rush hours.

The TTC operates the third most heavily-used urban mass transit system in North America (after the New York City Transit Authority and the Mexico City Metro).^[2] In 2007, the TTC carried 1.5 million passengers per day, and there were 459,769,000 passenger trips in total. The average daily ridership exceeds 2.46 million passengers: 1,197,000 through bus, 328,700 by streetcar, 35,300 by intermediate rail, and 901,400 by subway.^[3] The TTC also provides door-to-door services for persons with physical disabilities known as Wheel-Trans; about 5,500 trips are made through this service daily. The TTC employed 11,235 personnel in 2007.^[1]

Colloquially, the subway cars were known as "red rockets", a nickname originally given to Gloucester subway cars, which were painted bright red and which have since been retired. Its legacy lives on as the TTC uses the phrase to advertise the service, such as "Ride the Rocket" in advertising material, "Rocket" in the names of some express buses, and the upcoming "Toronto Rocket" subway train, which is due to arrive in late 2009. Another common slogan is "The Better Way".

History

Yonge Subway Construction 1949

Privately operated transit services in Toronto began in 1850. In later years, a few routes were operated by the city, but it was 1921 when the city took over all routes and formed the Toronto Transportation Commission to operate them. During this period service was mainly provided by streetcars. In 1954, the TTC adopted its present name, opened its first subway line, and greatly expanded its service area to cover the newly formed municipality of Metropolitan Toronto (which eventually became the enlarged city of Toronto). The system has evolved to feature a wide network of bus routes with the subway lines as the backbone. On February 17, 2008, the TTC made many service improvements, finally reversing more than a decade of service reductions and only minor improvements.^[4]

Finances

Historically, the TTC recovered its operating costs from the fare box. This was especially true during the Great Depression and The Second World War, when it accumulated the considerable wealth which allowed it to expand widely after the war. It was not until the late 1950s that the newly formed Metro government was forced to provide operational subsidies, required primarily due to the TTC being required to provide bus service to the low-density suburbs in Metro Toronto.^{[citation needed]}

Until the mid-1990s, the TTC received operational subsidies from both the municipal level of government, and the provincial level. When the Harris Conservatives in Ontario ended those subsidies, the TTC was forced to cut-back service, with a significant curtailment put into effect on February 18, 1996 and an increased financial burden was placed on the Municipal government. Since then, the TTC has consistently been in financial difficulties. Service cuts were averted in 2007 though when Toronto City Council voted to introduce new taxes to help pay for city services, including the TTC. As a result, the TTC became the largest transit operator in Anglo-America not to receive provincial/state funding.^[5]

Past transit operators

Private

• Williams Omnibus Bus Line - 1849-1861
• Metropolitan Street Railway of Toronto 1877-1897
• Toronto Street Railways - 1861-1891
• Toronto Railway Company - 1891-1921
• Toronto Suburban Railway - 1894-1921
• Toronto and York Radial Railway - 1904-1921

Public

• Toronto Civic Railways - 1913-1921
• Toronto Transportation Commission - 1921-1954
• North Yonge Railways - radial railway operated by the TTC from 1927-1930

Transit modes

The TTC currently operates an extensive network of subways, streetcars, light rail vehicles, paratransit buses and standard transit buses in Toronto:

Subway/RT system

The subway at Spadina Station (Yonge–University–Spadina Platform) heading northbound.

The Toronto subway/RT is a basic system consisting of the Yonge-University-Spadina Line, a U-shaped line started in 1954 and last extended in 1996; the Bloor-Danforth Line, an east-west line started in 1966 and last extended in 1980; the Scarborough RT, a partly elevated light rail line built in 1985 which continues from the Bloor-Danforth Line's eastern terminus; and the Sheppard Line, opened in 2002. The three subway lines use the same technology, while the Scarborough RT has many differences.

All subway lines provide service seven days a week from approximately 6:00 a.m. until 1:30 a.m. (the following day) (last train runs at approximately 1:45 in each direction) except for Sundays in which the opening is delayed until approximately 9:00 a.m. During the overnight periods the subway and its stations are closed in order for maintenance at track level and in the stations themselves. Service is provided throughout this period of time by buses operating above ground. These special overnight routes are issued numbers in the 300 series and referred to as Blue Night routes, indicated by a typical TTC bus stop sign with a blue band added.

Plans were made for a streetcar subway along Queen Street, which were upgraded to a full subway in 1964, from the Humber loop to Greenwood, curving north to connect to the Bloor-Danforth Subway. All that ever materialized of this line was an incomplete east-west station structure under Queen station at Yonge, which remains in existence today, and structural provisions for an east-west station under Osgoode Station at Queen and University Avenue. The Queen Subway plan was cancelled in 1974 in favour of new lines in North York, however plans from Toronto and Ontario now necessitate its construction within the next 20 years to relieve pressure from the growing ridership on the Yonge subway line.

St. George subway station,
Yonge-University-Spadina platform.

In the mid-1990s, work began on an Eglinton West subway line, but the project was cancelled before significant progress was made. Construction of this line is no longer a priority for the TTC, but in early 2007, this line was re-visited in the proposed expansion as part underground LRT running in the central part of the line (between Keele Street and Laird Drive) with the remainder a surface LRT route which would span almost the entire length of the city from the Airport to Scarborough.

A current focus for the TTC's rapid-transit expansion is a short extension bringing the western branch of the Yonge-University-Spadina Line north-west to York University, Steeles Avenue and Vaughan Corporate Centre in York Region. The Government of Ontario announced on March 23, 2006, that it will provide $670 million for this extension, about one-third of the expected cost. A northerly extension on the Yonge branch is being lobbied by York Region and the Province of Ontario, and is being investigated by the TTC. This project would bring the Yonge line north to the existing Richmond Hill Centre transit terminal in Richmond Hill at Highway 7, and would be possible when a new signal system allows headways on the Yonge line to decrease from the current 150 seconds to as little as 90. Another project long considered to be financially beneficial to the commission is the extension of the Bloor-Danforth subway line 1-2 kilometres westbound beside the CP rail line to The East Mall (major artery) near Cloverdale Mall (shopping centre), however this is unlikely to be built in the near future given the recent plans for a regional bus terminal at Kipling Station, the current terminus.^[6][7][8]

In September 2006, Toronto City Council approved a contract for 234 new state-of-the-art cars from Bombardier Transportation, based upon the company's Movia trains. Much controversy surrounded this purchase, as Bombardier was awarded a non-bid contract. Competitor Siemens AG stated that it could fulfil the contract for up to $100,000,000 less by assembling the trains outside of Canada, whereas the Bombardier trains will be built in the plant that has assembled most of Toronto's subways in Thunder Bay.^[9][10]

Streetcars

Streetcar exiting Neville Park Loop at the eastern end of the 501 Queen Streetcar Line

Toronto's streetcar system is one of the few in North America still operating along classic lines and has been operating since the mid-19th century (horsecar service started in 1861 and 600V DC overhead electric service in 1892). Streetcar service dates back to the Toronto Street Railways horse-drawn cars and continues today with the current electric cars. New TTC routes since the 1940s have generally been operated by other modes, and the less-busy streetcar routes have also been converted. Streetcar routes are now focused on the downtown area, with none running farther north than St. Clair Avenue, about 5 km from Lake Ontario.

A great expansion of the streetcar network (as "Light Rapid Transit" on private rights-of-way) was proposed by the City of Toronto and the TTC on March 16, 2007, in the Transit City report. As of November 2007 streetcars are equipped with the Surface Vehicle Automatic Stop Announcement System (SVASAS) which is called out over the P.A. system which dictates the name of the next stop. In addition, an L.E.D. board on the streetcar displays the name of the street and changes each time it passes a stop which is mounted behind the operator's shield. Now, almost all TTC vehicles have the SVASAS. In October 2007 the Ontario Human Rights Commission introduced a new legislation that will require all transit operators in Ontario to call out all stops for the visually-impaired passengers.

Prior to the introduction of the Canadian Light Rail Vehicle and the Articulated Light Rail Vehicle, the TTC operated a fleet of 765 PCC-type streetcars - 540 which they purchased new, the rest of which were purchased as other cities sold off their PCC streetcar fleets.

The TTC's current fleet of 248 streetcars is nearing the end of their useful life, and the TTC will be buying at least 204 new LRVs. The commission has stated that potential bidders for the new contract must propose a 100% low-floor vehicle. These new vehicles will likely be costly, as the TTC's network has unique challenges such as steep grades on hills and a unique track gauge. The commission intends to customize a model that meets approx 75% of its criteria. Bombardier won the bidding with its Bombardier Flexity Outlook model. The new streetcars, BFOs, are set to be constructed and in service as soon as 2011.

Historic fleet

A PCC streetcar in at Exhibition Loop while operating on the 509 Harbourfront line

The TTC has retained two PCC streetcars - #4500 and #4549 - and one Peter Witt car - #2766 - primarily for charter service.

However, during the summer of 2009, the TTC ran one of its two PCC cars on the 509 Harbourfront line on Sundays between May and the Labour Day weekend of that year. In previous years, on of the PCC cars would run along the Harbourfront Line on holidays during the summer.

Buses and trolley coaches

A plain TTC bus stop.

Buses are a large part of TTC operations today, but before about 1960, they played a minor role compared to streetcars. Buses began to operate in the city in 1921 and became necessary for areas without streetcar service. After an earlier experiment in the 1920s, trolley buses were used on a number of routes starting in 1947, but all trolley bus routes were converted to bus operation between 1991 and 1993. The TTC always used the term trolley coach to refer to its trackless electric vehicles. Hundreds of old, aging buses were recently replaced with the new, low-floor Orion VII, and the TTC has recently acquired many hybrid electric buses. A new order will bring the total of hybrids to over 500, second only to New York City. Older (2001-2006) TTC Orion VIIs feature the standard, "bread-box" style, whereas newer (2007- ) buses feature Orion's new, more stylish body.^[11] Although most of the bus fleet has already been replaced, a number of lift-equipped, high floor buses are reaching the end of their useful lifespan, and another order of buses may be needed around 2012.

Gray Coach

Gray Coach Lines was a suburban and regional inter-city bus operator founded in 1927 by the TTC. Gray Coach used inter-urban coaches to link Toronto to points throughout Southern Ontario. In addition, Gray Coach operated tour buses in association with Gray Line Tours. The main terminal was the Metropolitan Toronto Bus Terminal on Elizabeth Street, downtown. In 1954, Gray Coach expanded further when it acquired suburban routes from independent bus operators not merged with the TTC as it expanded to cover Metro Toronto. By the 1980s, Gray Coach faced fierce competition in the inter-urban service in the GTA. The TTC sold Gray Coach Lines in 1990.

Wheel-Trans service

A Wheel-Trans Overland ELF 9777 on a scheduled stop at Dufferin Mall in Toronto, Ontario.

The TTC also runs Wheel-Trans, a paratransit service for the physically disabled with special low-floor buses designed to accommodate wheelchairs and to make boarding easier for ambulatory customers with limited mobility.

Ferry service

The ferry service to the Toronto Islands was operated by the TTC from 1927 until 1962, when it was transferred to the Metro Parks and Culture department. Since 1998, the ferry service is run by Toronto Parks and Recreation.

The city is studying plans to re-introduce ferry service by the TTC. The plan would see ferry service from Etobicoke and Scarborough into the downtown. Terminals would be located near the current city ferry docks, at Scarborough's Bluffer's Park and at Humber Bay Park. Two ferries would be required on the routes. Of the two plans, the Humber service is most likely, because the geography of Toronto would allow a ferry to provide faster service while other modes jog around Humber Bay. From Scarborough, a ferry would need to jog around the expansive Portlands and Leslie Street Spit to reach downtown.^[12]

Riding the TTC

Fares

Obverse and reverse of Toronto Transit Commission single-ride token

The TTC fare system accepts cash, tickets (for Students and Seniors), tokens, and transit passes. As of November 4, 2007, adult cash fares are $2.75 for a single trip, or $2.25 each for trips using tokens (customer must purchase minimum of 4 tokens at once, in increments of four from token vending machines and increments of five from collector booths). Passes are available by the day, week, or month, with a 12-month subscription option. The monthly Metropass costs $109.00 since then. Transfers are free (for trips in one direction), and are encouraged by the grid system of routes and by transfer terminals at many subway stations. Transfers must be picked up at the point of entry, as outgoing buses and streetcars will not accept transfers from the closest subway station.

There are more than 1,200 vendors licensed to sell TTC fares in Toronto.

The provincial Minister of Transportation has announced plans to introduce the Presto card, a unified smartcard-based payment system for the entire Greater Toronto Area. Union railway station will be first Toronto location to use the card in 2007 and four other stations (Don Mills, Downsview, Finch, and Islington) by 2010. There are no plans for the TTC to actually adopt the Presto card yet, rather the surrounding transit systems. This is why only stations connecting to other systems will be equipped- Don Mills (YRT), Finch (YRT, GO), Downsview (YRT), Union (GO Trains, buses) and Islington (Mississauga Transit). The TTC has indicated that it is not yet willing to invest the required capital to convert to the Presto card.

Schedules and route information

Route information can be accessed through the TTC Info number 416-393-INFO. Individual route schedules are available online at TTC.ca. As of September 2009, a "trip planner" feature (similar to those available from Vancouver's Translink, Hamilton's HSR or the Edmonton Transit System) is planned but not implemented. Google Maps also does not support the TTC. Schedules for particular route are also usually posted at TTC transfer points, and trip planning services are available by phone.

Additional TTC information is circulated by "What's On" and "Rocket Rider/TTC Customer News" pamphlets located on some vehicles. Information can be accessed in person at the TTC head office (Davisville Station 1900 Yonge St.), but the TTC Info Centre at the Bloor-Yonge Station has been closed.

On December 15, 2008, the TTC launched a new Next Vehicle Information System. The system uses the dead reckoning system that has served behind the scenes as a tracking tool for surface vehicles for the past 25 years. The TTC has indicated that it will in time replace this old system with new GPS technology. Information screens at two subway stations show current locations of streetcars in real-time on its 510 Spadina route. The TTC is still in the process to expand the system to all routes, and will be in place in all 69 subway stations by 2010.^[13] The system will eventually include an SMS-based information system.^[14]

Connections

The TTC makes connections with other transit agencies at terminals in Toronto:

Accessibility

Although the Wheel-Trans door-to-door service has been available since the mid-1970s, since the 1990s, the TTC has focused in providing accessible services on conventional bus routes, the RT and subway. While only 27 of the 68 stations on the Scarborough RT and the Yonge-University-Spadina and Bloor-Danforth subway lines are currently wheel-chair accessible, all stations on the 2002 Sheppard line are fully accessible. As of February 15, 2009, 140 of the TTC's 167 bus routes (including community and night bus routes) are accessible. Currently, the TTC's streetcar network is not accessible; however, the fleet is planned to be gradually replaced with modern, low-floor vehicles, specifically Bombardier's Flexity Outlook, in the near future.

Most TTC buses, except for some of the newly-acquired NG hybrids with warranty are equipped with the Surface Vehicle Automatic Stop Announcement System (SVASAS) as of February 2008 which is operated over the loudspeakers dictating the name of the next stop (e.g. "Next Stop: Wade Avenue, Lansdowne Subway Station.") along with an LED board on the bus displays the name of the street and changes each time when a bus passes a stop. As of October 25, 2007, the Ontario Human Rights Commission urges all public transit operations in Ontario including GO Transit to call out all stops for the visually-impaired passengers. Transit operations who do not announce all stops could be violating rider's rights according to the OHRC.^[15]

Commuter parking lots

The TTC operates 29 commuter parking lots, all at subway stations, with a total of 13,718 parking spaces. Effective April 1, 2009 free parking for metropass holders was eliminated. All passengers using parking facilities during peak hours must now pay for the service. The rates vary from lot to lot by are in the range of $2.00 - $6.00.^[16]

Washrooms

There are 10 sets of public washrooms located on the TTC system, all at subway stations and most at stations that are major transfer points or at the end of rapid transit lines.^[17]

Transit infrastructure

Terminals

A shot looking west of TTC's Long Branch Loop.

Most TTC surface routes terminate at loops, side streets or subway station complexes. The TTC system is one of the few mass transit systems in Canada where many surface routes can be accessed inside a paid-fare zone common to other routes or subway lines. This feature allows boarding via the back doors at terminals, reduces the usage of paper transfers, and the need of operators to check for proof-of-payment. However, if an authorized TTC employee, TTC Special Constable Services or Toronto Police officers is/are able to catch offenders, they are liable to face a $500 fine for fare evasion.

There are some larger loops at terminal buildings other than subway stations:

• Bingham Loop
• Humber Loop
• Long Branch Loop (adjacent to Long Branch GO Station)
• York University, in front of the York Lanes shopping centre (This terminal will be served by the planned Spadina subway extension)

Other loops include:

• Neville Park Loop
• High Park Loop
• McCaul Loop

Shelters

The shelters used by the systems are split between CBS Outdoor (formerly Viacom Media) (with ads) and Toronto Transportation. A total of 4,100 shelters are managed by Toronto Transportation and most from the former transportation departments of the municipalities that make up the City of Toronto.

The Otter Loop Shelter on Avenue Road south of Lawrence Avenue West is the only remaining bus shelter from the 1940s and 1950s. The loop and shelter are not in regular revenue service and not owned by the TTC.

Surface fleet support infrastructure

TTC buses and streetcars are operated out of a number of garages and carhouses located around the city and are serviced at several other facilities.

The surface routes are divided into several divisions. Individual divisions have a superintendent, an on-duty mobile supervisor, a CIS communications centre, and a garage facility tasked with managing the division's vehicle fleet and routes.

Safety and communications

Safety systems

A marked TTC Special Constable Police Interceptor

Safety features provided by the TTC include:

• Request Stop Program on surface routes (9 p.m.-5 a.m.) (excluding streetcar routes); youth and female passengers travelling alone can request the driver to stop at points between bus stops (no such service is currently offered for male passengers although some drivers do take requests from men). The program was started in 1991, due in part to the activities of serial rapist and killer Paul Bernardo.
• Designated Waiting Areas (DWA) on subway and RT platforms; these are well lit, have intercoms, monitored by security cameras, and are at the location where the guard car stops
• Toronto EMS Paramedics stationed at key locations within the subway system during the morning and evening rush to assist with medical emergencies, and provide a faster response. This also reduces delays on the rapid transit system.^[18]
• Emergency Power Cut stations - indicated by a blue beacon - and located on both ends of all Subway/RT platforms with a telephone to call Transit Control's emergency number (3555)
• Yellow Passenger Assistance Alarm strips on subway and RT cars since 1977
• Emergency stopping mechanisms (PGEV - Passenger/Guard Emergency Valve) on all subway and RT trains (for use in severe emergencies ie. doors open while train in motion, person stuck in doors as train leaves station, derailment etc.)
• Approximately 12,000 cameras monitoring activities on the subway system, buses and streetcars (TTC indicates in a $18 million upgrade; that the entire fleet of buses and streetcars is expected to be equipped with cameras as of February 2009).^[19]
• TTC Special Constable Services
• Underground Alert messages displayed on the subway platform video screens to notify passengers about criminals.

TTC By-law No. 1

The TTC's By-law No. 1 is a by-law governing the actions of passengers and employees while on Commission property. It can be enforced by a "proper authority" which is defined in the by-law as: "an employee or agent of the TTC wearing a TTC uniform; an employee or agent of the TTC carrying an identification card issued by the TTC; a TTC Special Constable; or a municipal police officer."^[20] The by-law covers rules regarding, fare payment and conduct while in the system. Effective 12 October 2009, a revised version of the by-law has been issued. Revisions include the restriction of placing feet or "any object that may soil" on seats, and the provision that one must give up there seat to a person with a disability.

An online version of the by-law is available here

OneStop media system

OneStop Sign located on Subway Platform at Dundas Station.

The TTC, in partnership with OneStop Media Group, have rolled out large LCD Television Screens in major stations throughout the system. By 2010, all stations should have these signs. The new media system will replace the old "Subway Online" system, which has been decommissioned and is no longer functional.

The signs feature advertising, news headlines and weather information from CablePulse 24, as well as TTC-specific information regarding service changes, service delays and information pertaining to using the system.

On June 12, 2007, the TTC, in partnership with the Toronto Crime Stoppers and OneStop, launched a new Underground Alert system at the Toronto Police Headquarters. The new Underground Alert system will post pictures and details of wanted suspects on the screens in stations throughout the subway system. Subway passengers will be encouraged to call police if they have any information.^[21][22][23]

The system can also be used when an Amber Alert is issued which also includes continuous announcements via the P.A. system.

In September 2008, Dundas Station was the first to feature a “Next Train” announcement integrated into the signage. The system has been expanded to 13 more stations as of April 2009. The TTC says that by the end of 2009 all 69 subway stations will have this feature.^[24] As of mid-July 2009, the majority of stations have been equipped with this service.

Communications

The TTC utilizes several types of voice and data communications. There are three main systems. The first is the system used by Operations, Security and Maintenance. This system operates on five UHF conventional frequencies. Channels 1, 3, 4 and 5 are used for day to day operations, while Channel 2 is reserved for the Wheel-Trans service.

Buses and streetcars use the CIS (Communications and Information System) system. This system is spread out city wide with transmit facilities throughout the city. Each bus and streetcar has a Transit Radio Unified Microprocessor (TRUMP) set onboard. This is attached to a transponder receiver which allows CIS operators to track the location of the vehicle using an older computational system know as dead reckoning. The TRUMP also allows the operators and CIS operators to send and receive text messages for such things as short turns and route adjustments. There is also the option of voice communications between the operator and the CIS operator. The CIS system was conceived in the late 1970s and was fully implemented in 1991.

The third system is used by the subway system. This is called the Wayside system. Replacing the old devices which communicated by the third rail are new UHF MPT-1327 Trunking radio sets. The Subway system is divided into 3 separate systems, each representing its respective subway line. This new trunking system allows Transit Control to communicate directly with a single train, a zone encompassing several trains, or the entire line. The Scarborough RT is not included in this system. They continue to use a single channel UHF system, much the same as the system used by operations staff.

All of these systems can be monitored by a scanner capable of the UHF Low band (406–430 MHz).^[25] Numeric codes - often referring to people or positions (299 Bloor - Subway Line mechanic at Bloor) are also announced through the radio and/or the overhead paging system. The TTC also has Several "Plans" ('Plan A' through 'Plan G')^[26] that are used in emergencies but are not announced on the P.A. system and only referred to on the Radio.^[27]

Personnel

The TTC has a team of over 10,000 employees. Most are operators, however the Commission also employs supervisors, custodians and a wide range of skilled trades people who work on vehicles and critical subway and surface infrastructure.

In October 2008, TTC was named one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc., which was announced by the Toronto Star newspaper.^[28]

Labour disputes

Unionized workers of the TTC workers have performed strike actions nine times since 1952:

• 1952 - On strike for 19 days.
• 1970 - On strike for 12 days.
• 1974 - On strike for 23 days in August; service resumed when back-to-work legislation was passed by the province, which marked the first time the province was involved in a TTC strike.
• 1978 - On strike for 8 days; service resumed by order of back-to-work legislation.
• 1984 - On strike during Pope John Paul II's visit to Toronto.
• 1991 - On strike for 8 days in September.
• 1999 - On strike for 2 days in April; service resumed by order of back-to-work legislation.
• 2006 - On strike for 1 day on May 29, known as the "2006 Toronto Transit Commission wildcat strike".
• 2008 - On strike for 2 days on April 26 at 12:01 a.m. (see 2008 Toronto Transit Commission strike)

Incidents

Although it is a generally safe system, the TTC has experienced several major accidents and incidents since 1921:

• On 27 March 1963, a six-car subway train was completely destroyed by fire. This occurred on a spare track near Union station, after the few remaining passengers were evacuated.^[29]
• On 15 October 1976, there was an arson in Christie station, which caused significant damage. There is evidence today with the odd-coloured trim tiles on the station walls.^[30][31]
• On 11 August 1995, the Russell Hill subway accident resulted in the deaths of 3 passengers and injuries to 30 others. There were an additional 100 passengers who filed injury-related claims from the accident.
• In late 1995 TTC employee Jimmy Trasewski was killed during a robbery at Victoria Park station. Adrian Kinkead was arrested 4 months later for the crime and was found to be responsible for 2 other murders. He was convicted of both crimes and is now serving a life sentence.^[32][33]
• On 27 September 1997, 23-year old Charlene Minkowski was killed when she was pushed in front of a southbound train at Dundas Station. Herbert Cheong, a diagnosed schizophrenic, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison.^[34]
• Between 2 and 4 January 1999, a large snowstorm paralyzed parts of the Central Ontario and the Eastern United States. As a result, the city and the transit system ground to a halt. In the following days, major interruptions and delays were incurred and policies to handle snow at the commission were changed.^[35]
• On 8 December 2000, a garbage train caught fire while en route through Old Mill Station. The train was completely destroyed, and service was replaced by shuttle buses for the morning rush. Service resumed for the evening rush hour, however Old Mill station remained closed for two days. Since the incident the TTC has stopped the practice of using garbage trains and maintains a fleet of surface garbage trucks to collect refuse.^[36]
• On 15 October 2005, a bus operator lost sight in one eye after being shot. The shot was fired from outside the bus and the driver was determined not to be the target of the attack.^[37]
• On 23 April 2007, a TTC asbestos removal crew employee, Tony Almeida, was killed and several others were injured when the work car they were operating snagged on some cabling and dislodged a work platform at the end of a night shift. As a result, there was no subway service from Eglinton Station to York Mills Station for the next service day. The TTC was fined $250,000 CAD for violating the Occupational Health and Safety Act.^[38][39] It was later found that Almeida was high on marijuana.^[40]
• On 13 February 2009, at 4:45pm two youths were pushed to track level in front of an oncoming eastbound train at Dufferin Station. Both youths survived, one uninjured and the other with non-life-threatening injuries. A station collector and a bystander were able to hold a 47-year-old man until police arrived. Since his arrest, the suspect is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation.^[41]
• On 3 October 2009, shortly after 8am, David Dewees, a Toronto high school English and Latin teacher, accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with two minors, committed suicide after he laid down on the subway tracks in front of an oncoming train at High Park station.^[42][43]

Notes

See also

• Presto card
• Toronto subway and RT
• Toronto buses and trolley buses
• Toronto streetcar system
• TTC Presidents' Conference Car
• Signals on the TTC
• Toronto Transit Commission fares
• Russell Hill subway accident
• 2006 TTC wildcat strike
• David L. Gunn
• List of Toronto subway and RT stations
• Transit City
• TTC yards, garages, and facilities
• 2008 Toronto Transit Commission strike
• Rocket Riders

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Toronto Transit Commission

References

• The TTC Story by Mike Filey
• Not A One Horse Town by Mike Filey
• Reflections & Recollections Transfer Points January 2005
• Independents Take Over - TTC Goes Metro Wide Transfer Points August-September 2004
• Toronto Transit Commission Goes Metro Wide Transfer Point December 2004
• ATU 113 History
• Honour Guard shows TTC's true colours Coupler February 2001
• TTC Honour Guard

External links

• TTC Website

Route and schedule information

• TTC Full System Map/Ride GuidePDF (969 KB)
• TTC Downtown Toronto System Map/Ride GuidePDF (209 KB)
• TTC schedules by route name
• The TTC Ride Guide as searchable Google map

Multimedia

• CBC Archives - audio and video regarding the TTC.
• 69: TTC station photos
• Transit Toronto's YouTube channel
• torontosubway's YouTube channel

Fansites and advocacy

• Toronto Transportation Society
• Ken Yam Pro-Transit commentary on Transit in the Greater Toronto Area and the Ottawa-Gatineau Region
• Steve Munro Discussion of transit in Toronto by transit advocate Steve Munro
• TTC Environmental Citizen's Group an association of the Toronto Rocket Riders
• Transit City website - including 2007 report
• Transit Toronto - a comprehensive look at Transit in Toronto
• TTC fan site
• Independent Bus Lines History
• The Toronto LRT Information & Advocacy
• Drawings and photos of Toronto Transit Commission buses
• Toronto Transit Commission fleet roster
• Fan-made TTC Route Planner

v • d • e Toronto Transit Commission Services and fare media Buses • Subway/RT • Streetcars • Wheel-Trans • Blue Night Network • Fares • Accessibility Subway and rapid transit lines Bloor–Danforth • Scarborough RT • Sheppard • Yonge–University–Spadina • Downtown Relief Line (proposed) Streetcar and light rail lines 501 • 502 • 503 • 504 • 505 • 506 • 508 • 509 • 510 • 511 • 512 • Transit City (proposed) Personnel TTC personnel • TTC Special Constables Fleet CLRV • ALRV • Flexity Outlook • Rapid transit rolling stock (G  • M  • H  • T  • TR  • Mark I) • Bus fleet Facilities TTC yards, garages, and facilities • Arrow Road Garage • Birchmount Garage • Eglinton Garage • Malvern Garage • Mount Dennis Garage • Hillcrest Complex  • Queensway Garage • Wilson Complex • Davisville Subway Yard • Greenwood Subway Yard • McCowan RT Yard • William McBrien Building Defunct Facilities TTC yards, garages, and facilities • Danforth Carhouse and Bus Garage • Davenport Bus Garage • Eglinton Carhouse and Bus Garage • Lansdowne Bus Garage • Parkdale Bus Garage • Vincent Subway Yard TTC History Toronto Island ferry services  • Toronto Transportation Commission  • Gray Coach Pre-TTC Transit Operators Toronto Suburban Railway Company  • Toronto Railway Company  • Toronto Street Railways  • Williams Omnibus Bus Line  • Toronto Civic Railways Incidents 1995 Russell Hill subway accident  • 2006 wildcat strike  • 2008 strike