TheToronto streetcar systemis a network of elevenstreetcarroutes inToronto,Ontario, Canada, operated by theToronto Transit Commission(TTC). It is thethird busiest light-rail system in North America.The network is concentrated primarily inDowntown Torontoand in proximity to the city'swaterfront.Much of the streetcar route network dates from the second half of the 19th century. Three streetcar routes operate in their own right-of-way, one in a partial right-of-way, and six operate on street trackage shared with vehicular traffic with streetcars stopping on demand at frequent stops like buses. Since 2019, the network has usedlow-floor streetcars,making it fully accessible.
Toronto streetcar system | |||
---|---|---|---|
Overview | |||
Locale | Toronto,Ontario, Canada | ||
Transit type | Streetcar Light rail | ||
Number of lines | 11[1] | ||
Number of stations | 685 stops[2] | ||
Daily ridership | 223,300 (weekdays, Q3 2024)[3] | ||
Annual ridership | 69,106,000 (2023)[4] | ||
Operation | |||
Began operation | |||
Operator(s) | Toronto Transit Commission | ||
Character | Street running | ||
Technical | |||
System length | 83 km (52 mi)[6] | ||
Track gauge | 4 ft10+7⁄8in(1,495 mm) | ||
Minimum radius of curvature | 36 ft 0 in (10,973 mm)[7] | ||
Electrification | Overhead line,600 V DC | ||
|
Toronto's streetcars provide most of the downtown core's surface transit service. Four of the TTC's five most heavily used surface routes are streetcar routes. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 69,106,000, or about 223,300 per weekday as of the third quarter of 2024.
History
editPre-TTC history (1861–1921)
editThe main predecessors of the TTC were:
- Toronto Street Railway(1861–1891)
- Toronto Railway Company(1891–1921)
- Toronto Civic Railways(1911–1921)
In 1861, theCity of Torontoissued a thirty-year transit franchise (Resolution 14, By-law 353) for ahorse-drawnstreet railway,after theWilliams Omnibus Bus Linehad become heavily loaded. Alexander Easton's Toronto Street Railway (TSR) opened the first street railway line in Canada on September 11, 1861, operating fromYorkville Town Hallto theSt. Lawrence Market.At the end of the TSR franchise, the City government ran the railway for eight months but ended up granting a new thirty-year franchise to the Toronto Railway Company (TRC) in 1891. The TRC was the first operator of horseless streetcars in Toronto. The first electric car ran on August 15, 1892, and the last horse car ran on August 31, 1894, to meet franchise requirements.
There came to be problems with interpretation of the franchise terms for the City. By 1912, the city limits had extended significantly, with the annexation of communities to the north (1912:North Toronto) and the east (1908:Town of East Toronto) and the west (1909: the City of West Toronto—The Junction). After many attempts to force the TRC to serve these areas, the City created its own street railway operation, the Toronto Civic Railways (TCR) to do so, and built several routes. Repeated court battles forced the TRC to build new cars, but they were of old design. When the TRC franchise ended in 1921, theToronto Transportation Commissionwas created, combining the city-operatedToronto Civic Railwayslines into its new network.
Early TTC history (1921–1945)
editThe TTC began in 1921 as solely a streetcar operation, with the bulk of the routes acquired from the private TRC and merged with the publicly operated Toronto Civic Railways. In 1923, the TTC took over the Lambton, Davenport and Weston routes of theToronto Suburban Railway(TSR) and integrated them into the streetcar system.
In 1925, routes were operated on behalf of theTownship of York(as Township of York Railway), but the TTC was contracted to operate them. One of these routes was the former TSR Weston route and the others were the TTC Oakwood and Rogers Road streetcar routes. The Weston streetcar route was replaced by electric trolley buses in 1948, while Rogers Road route was replaced by the 63 Ossington trolley bus route in 1974; ultimately diesel bus routes replaced the trolley buses in 1992.[8]
In 1927, the TTC became the operator of threeradiallines of the formerToronto and York Radial Railway.The TTC connected these lines to the streetcar system in order to share equipment and facilities, such as carhouses, but the radials had their own separate management within the TTC's Radial Department. The last TTC-operated radial (North Yonge Railways) closed in 1948.
Plans for abandonment (1945–1989)
editAfter theSecond World War,many cities across North America and Europe[9]began to eliminate their streetcar systems in favour of buses. During the 1950s, the TTC continued to invest in streetcars and the TTC took advantage ofother cities' streetcar removalsby purchasing extra PCC cars fromCleveland,Birmingham,Kansas City,andCincinnati.
In 1966, the TTC announced plans to eliminate all streetcar routes by 1980. Streetcars were considered out of date, and their elimination in almost all other cities made it hard to buy new vehicles and maintain the existing ones. Metro Toronto chairWilliam Allenclaimed in 1966 that "streetcars are as obsolete as the horse and buggy".[10]Many streetcars were removed from service whenLine 2 Bloor–Danforthopened in February 1966.
The plan to abolish the streetcar system was strongly opposed by many people in the city, and a group named "Streetcars for Toronto" was formed to work against the plan. The group was led by Professor Andrew Biemiller and transit advocateSteve Munro.It had the support of city councillorsWilliam Kilbournand Paul Pickett, and urban advocateJane Jacobs.Streetcars for Toronto presented the TTC board with a report that found retaining the streetcar fleet would, in the long run, be cheaper than converting to buses. This combined with a strong public preference for streetcars over buses changed the decision of the TTC board.[11][12]
The busiest north–south and east–west routes were replaced respectively by the Yonge–University and the Bloor–Danforth subway lines, and the northernmost streetcar lines, including the North Yonge and Oakwood routes, were replaced bytrolley buses(and later by diesel buses). Two lines that operated north ofSt. Clair Avenuewere abandoned for other reasons. TheRogers Road routewas abandoned to free up streetcars for expanded service on other routes.[13]The Mount Pleasant route was removed because of complaints that streetcars slowed automobile traffic. Earlier, the TTC had contemplated abandonment because replacement by trolley buses was cheaper than replacing the aging tracks.[14]
However, the TTC maintained most of its existing network, purchasing new custom-designedCanadian Light Rail Vehicles(CLRV) andArticulated Light Rail Vehicles(ALRV), with the first CLRV entering service in 1979. It also continued to rebuild and maintain the existing fleet ofPCC(Presidents' Conference Committee) streetcars until they were no longer roadworthy.
WhenKipling stationopened in 1980 as the new western terminus of Line 2 Bloor–Danforth, it had provision for a future streetcar or LRT platform opposite the bus platforms. However, there was no further development for a surface rail connection there.[15]
In the early 1980s, a streetcar line was planned to connectKennedy stationtoScarborough Town Centre.However, as that line was being built, the Province of Ontario persuaded the TTC to switch to using a new technology called theIntermediate Capacity Transit System(now Bombardier Innovia Metro) by promising to pay for any cost overruns (which eventually amounted to over $100million). Thus, the Scarborough RT (later renamedLine 3 Scarborough) was born, and streetcar service did not return to Scarborough, instead stopping at the limits.[16]
Late 20th-century expansion (1989–2000)
editThe TTC returned to building new streetcar routes in 1989. The first new line was route 604 Harbourfront, starting fromUnion station,travelling underneath Bay Street and rising to a dedicated centre median onQueen's Quay(along the edge ofLake Ontario) to the foot ofSpadina Avenue.This route was lengthened northward along Spadina Avenue in 1997, continuing to travel in a dedicated right-of-way in the centre of the street, and ending in an underground terminal atSpadina station.At this time, the route was renamed510 Spadinato fit with the numbering scheme of the other streetcar routes. This new streetcar service replaced the former route 77 Spadina bus and, since 1997, has provided the main north–south transit service throughToronto's Chinatownand the western boundary ofUniversity of Toronto's main campus. The tracks along Queen's Quay were extended to Bathurst Street in 2000 to connect to the existingBathurst route,providing for a new509 Harbourfrontroute from Union station to the refurbishedExhibition Loopat theExhibition grounds,where the annualCanadian National Exhibitionis held during the summer.
21st century (2001–present)
editBy 2003, two-thirds of the city's streetcar tracks were in poor condition as the older track was poorly built using unwelded rail attached to untreated wooden ties lying on loose gravel. The result was street trackage falling apart quickly requiring digging up everything after 10 to 15 years. Thus, the TTC started to rebuild tracks using a different technique. With the new technique, concrete is poured over compacted gravel, and the ties are placed in another bed of concrete, which is topped by more concrete to embed rail clips and rubber-encased rails. The resulting rail is more stable and quieter with less vibration. The new tracks are expected to last 25 years after which only the top concrete layer needs to be removed in order to replace worn rails.[17][18]
Route512 St. Clairwas rebuilt to restore a separated right-of-way similar to that of the 510 on Spadina Avenue, to increase service reliability and was completed on June 30, 2010.[19]
On December 19, 2010,504 Kingstreetcar service returned to Roncesvalles Avenue after the street was rebuilt to a new design, which provided a widened sidewalk "bumpout"at each stop to allow riders to board a streetcar directly from the curb. When no streetcar is present, cyclists may ride over the bumpout as it doubles as part of a bike lane.[20][21]
On October 12, 2014, streetcar service resumed on509 Harbourfrontroute after the street was rebuilt to a new design that replaced the eastbound auto lanes with parkland from Spadina Avenue to York Street. Thus, streetcars since then run on a roadside right-of-way immediately adjacent to a park on its southern edge.[22]
The Toronto Transit Commission eliminated all Sunday-only stops on June 7, 2015, as these stops slowed down streetcars making it more difficult to meet scheduled stops. Sunday stops, which served Christian churches, were deemed unfair to non-Christian places of worship, which never had the equivalent of a Sunday stop. Toronto originally created Sunday stops in the 1920s along its streetcar routes to help worshippers get to church on Sunday for religious services.[23]
The first twoFlexity Outlookstreetcars entered service on route 510 Spadina, on August 31, 2014; at the same time, all-door boarding andproof-of-payment(POP) was introduced on all 510 Spadina streetcars. Fare payments byPrestoon the Flexity cars was introduced on November 30, 2014.[24]On November 22, 2015, the TTC started to operate its new fleet of Flexity Outlook streetcars from its newLeslie Barnsmaintenance and storage facility.[25]
On December 14, 2015, the TTC expandedPresto,POP and all-door loading to include all streetcars on all routes. All streetcar passengers are required to carry proof that they have paid their fares such as a validated TTC senior, youth or student ticket; a single-ride ticket; a paper transfer; or a tapped-in Presto card while riding.[26]At the same time, the TTC also activated the option for customers to purchase single-ride tickets using debit or credit cards on the fare vending machines on Flexity streetcars.
With the January 3, 2016, service changes, 510 Spadina became the first wheelchair-accessible streetcar route using mainly Flexity streetcars. However, CLRV and ALRV streetcars were used in some cases as a backup plan in the event there were not enough Flexity streetcars.[27]
On June 19, 2016, the TTC launched the514 Cherrystreetcar route to supplement504 Kingservice along King Street between Dufferin and Sumach streets. The new route operated every 15 minutes or better and initially used some and later only the commission's then-new accessible Flexity streetcars.[28]The eastern end of the 514 route ran on a newly constructed branch, originally named theCherry Street streetcar line,which is located in a reserved side-of-street right-of-way.[29]
On September 12, 2017,509 Harbourfrontbecame the first streetcar route in Toronto to operate Flexity streetcars with electrical pickup bypantographinstead oftrolley pole.[30]That November, theKing Street Transit Priority Corridor,atransit mall,was established along King Street between Bathurst and Jarvis streets.[31][32]
On October 7, 2018, the 514 Cherry route was permanently cancelled. The service it provided was replaced by the 504 King, which was divided into two overlapping branches, each to one of the termini (Dufferin Gate LoopandDistillery Loop) of the former 514 route.[33]That December, the TTC eliminated the option for passengers to purchase single-ride tickets by credit and debit cards on the Flexity streetcars due to reliability issues with the fare vending machines.[34]
On September 2, 2019, the TTC retired the last of its ALRV streetcars.[35]The next day, due to the construction work at the Queen, Kingston Road, Eastern Avenue intersection, the TTC eliminated the502 Downtownerservice indefinitely. Concordantly, the503 Kingston Rdservice, which used to operate during rush hours only, was upgraded to operate during all daytime hours Monday through Friday. This change also affected the 501 Queen service, with buses replacing streetcars east of Queen Street and Greenwood Avenue.[36][37]The construction projects ended that November. While the 501 Queen resumed full streetcar service, the 502 remained eliminated and the consolidation of Kingston Road service into the 503 Kingston Rd route remained in effect.[38]
On December 29, 2019, the TTC retired the last of its high-floor streetcars, the CLRVs. The final day for the CLRVs included a ceremonial farewell voyage along Queen Street, although the TTC plans to retain two CLRVs in Toronto for special events and charters.[39]Since the retirement of the CLRVs, all TTC surface routes have been served by accessible low-floor vehicles.
On August 15, 2023, the credit and debit card single-ride fare payment option was reintroduced as part of a system-wide TTC rollout. Customers can tap a credit or debit card (including those loaded in adigital wallet) on a TTC Presto fare reader to pay their fares or validate transfers. The customer's tapped-in credit or debit card acts as POP while riding.[40]
Incidents
editOn December 16, 2010, the TTC suffered its worst accident since theRussell Hill subway crash in 1995.Up to 17 people were sent to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries after a505 Dundasstreetcar heading eastbound collided with aGreyhoundbus at Dundas and River Streets.[41]
Routes
editBased on 2013 statistics, the TTC operated 304.6 kilometres (189.3 mi)[2]of routes on 82 kilometres (51 mi) streetcar network (double or single track) throughout Toronto.[5][2]As of July 28, 2024[update],there are eleven active daytime streetcar routes plus seven overnight streetcar routes (part of theBlue Night Network) on the TTC network. The following table does not reflect temporary diversions and bus substitutions.
No. | Name | Length[42][43] | Description[43] |
---|---|---|---|
501 | Queen | To Humber Loop: 16.9 km (10.5 mi) To Long Branch Loop: 24.6 km (15.3 mi) |
Operates betweenNeville Park LoopandHumber LoopalongQueen Streetandthe Queensway.After 10 p.m., extended toLong Branch Loop,replacing the507 Long Branchroute.
Part of the Blue Night Network service, operating as 301 Queen between Neville Park and Long Branch Loops.[44] |
503 | Kingston Rd | 9.8 km (6.1 mi) | Operates along Kingston Road betweenBingham Loopand York Street.[45]
Part of the Blue Night Network service, operating as 303 Kingston Rd between Bingham Loop and Roncesvalles Avenue.[46] |
504 | King | 504A: 10.4 km (6.5 mi) 504B: 9.6 km (6.0 mi) |
Normally operates as two branches overlapping along King Street:
Part of the Blue Night Network service, operating as 304 King between Dundas West station and Broadview stations, bypassing Dufferin Gate and Distillery Loops. |
505 | Dundas | 10.9 km (6.8 mi) | Operates between Dundas West station and Broadview station via Dundas Street.
Part of the Blue Night Network service, operating as 305 Dundas.[47] |
506 | Carlton | 15.1 km (9.4 mi) | Operates betweenMain Street stationandHigh Park Loopservicing Gerrard, Carlton and College Streets.
Part of the Blue Night Network, operating as 306 Carlton. |
507 | Long Branch | 7.9 km (4.9 mi) | Operates betweenHumber LoopandLong Branch loopalongLake Shore Boulevard.
Replaced by 501 Queen after 10 p.m.[44] |
508 | Lake Shore | 21.7 km (13.5 mi) | Operates betweenLong Branch Loopand Broadview station along Lake Shore Boulevard, the Queensway, King Street, Queen Street and Broadview Avenue.
Weekday rush-hour service in peak direction only. |
509 | Harbourfront | 4.4 km (2.7 mi) | Operates on a dedicated right-of-way betweenUnion stationandExhibition Loop |
510 | Spadina | 5.4 km (3.4 mi) | Operates on a dedicated right-of-way betweenSpadina stationand Union station.
Part of the Blue Night Network service, operating as 310 Spadina. |
511 | Bathurst | 5.3 km (3.3 mi) | Operates betweenBathurst stationand Exhibition Loop |
512 | St. Clair | 7.1 km (4.4 mi) | Operates on a dedicated right-of-way betweenSt. Clair stationandGunns Loopalong St. Clair Avenue.
Part of the Blue Night Network, operating as 312 St. Clair.[48] |
All streetcar routes are served by low-floor, accessibleFlexity Outlookvehicles.[49]When replacement bus service is required (e.g., for construction, special events, emergencies), replacement buses bear the same route number and name as the corresponding streetcar route.[50][51]
Route numbers
editUntil 1980, streetcar routes had names but not numbers. When the CLRVs were introduced, the TTC assigned route numbers in the 500 series. CLRVs have a single front rollsign showing various combinations of route number and destination, while PCC streetcars showed a route identifier (route name until the 1980s and later route number) and destination on two separate front rollsigns.[52]Thedot-matrix displaydestination signson the Flexity streetcars show route number, route name and destination.[53]Before 2018, streetcar-replacement bus services indicated route number and destination but not route name, like the CLRVs.
The streetcar-operated Blue Night Network routes have been assigned 300-series route numbers. The other exception to the 500 series numbering was the Harbourfront LRT streetcar. When introduced in 1990, this route was numbered 604, which was intended to group it with the old (albeit unposted) numbering scheme forToronto subwayroutes. In 1996, the TTC overhauled its rapid transit route numbers and stopped trying to market the Harbourfront route as "rapid transit". The number was changed to 510. The tracks were later extended in two directions to form the 510 Spadina and 509 Harbourfront routes.[54]
Subway connections
editThere are underground connections between streetcars and the subway atSt. Clair West,Spadina, and Union stations, and streetcars enterSt. Clair,Dundas West,Bathurst,Broadview,andMain Streetstations at street level. At the eight downtown stations, excepting Union, fromQueen's ParktoCollegeon Line 1 Yonge–University, streetcars stop on the street outside the station entrances. Union station serves as the hub for both the TTC and theGO Transitsystems.
Dedicated rights-of-way and transit malls
editThe majority of streetcar routes in Toronto operate in mixed traffic, generally reflecting the original track configurations of the streetcar system, a system that dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, newer trackage has largely been established within dedicatedrights-of-wayto allow streetcars to operate with fewer disruptions due to delays caused by automobile traffic. Most of the system's dedicated rights-of-way operate within the median of existing streets, separated from general traffic by raised curbs and controlled by specialized traffic signals at intersections.Queen streetcarshave operated on such a right-of-way alongthe Queenswaybetween Humber and Sunnyside loops since 1957. Since the 1990s, dedicated rights-of-way have been opened downtown alongQueens Quay,Spadina Avenue,and Fleet Street, as well asSt. Clair AvenueWest, which is north of downtown.
Short sections of the track also operate in a tunnel (to connect with Spadina, Union, and St. Clair West subway stations). The most significant section of underground streetcar trackage is a tunnel underneath Bay Street connecting Queens Quay with Union station; this section, which is approximately 700 m (2,300 ft) long, includes oneintermediate underground stationat Bay Street and Queens Quay.
During the late 2000s, the TTC reinstated a separated right-of-way, which had been removed between 1928 and 1935,[55]on St. Clair Avenue for the entire512 St. Clairroute. A court decision obtained by local merchants in October 2005 had brought construction to a halt and put the project in doubt; the judicial panel then recused themselves, and the delay for a new decision adversely affected the construction schedule. A new judicial panel decided in February 2006 in favour of the city and construction resumed in mid-2006. One-third of the St. Clair right-of-way was completed by the end of 2006 and streetcars began using it on February 18, 2007. The portion finished was fromSt. Clair station(Yonge Street) toVaughan Road.The second phase started construction in mid-2007 fromDufferin Streetto Caledonia Road. Service resumed using the second and third phases on December 20, 2009, extending streetcar service from St. Clair to Earlscourt Loop located just south and west of Lansdowne Avenue. The fourth and final phase from Earlscourt Loop to Gunns Loop (just west of Keele Street) is completed and full streetcar service over the entire route was finally restored on June 30, 2010.[56][57]
Between September 2007 and March 2008, the tracks on Fleet Street betweenBathurst Streetand theExhibition Loopwere converted to a dedicated right-of-way and opened for the511 Bathurstand the509 Harbourfrontstreetcars. Streetcar track and overhead power line were also installed at the Fleet loop, which is located at theQueen's Wharf Lighthouse.[58][59]
Theeastern portionof the 504A King route runs on a side-of-street right-of-way. It was constructed starting in 2012 to support redevelopment in theWest Don Landsand theDistillery District,former industrial areas.[28][29]
As part of theKing Street Pilot Project,a temporarytransit mallwas set up along King Street for a one-year trial period starting in mid-November 2017. This project was then made permanent under the name King Street Transit Priority Corridor.[60]The transit mall prevents road traffic from impeding streetcar service as road traffic typically leaves the mall via a right turn at most signalized intersections.[61]
Planned expansion
editAs of 2022, the City of Toronto and the TTC were planning theEast Bayfront LRTto run alongQueens Quay Eastfrom Union station to thePort Lands,to complement the509 Harbourfrontline.[62]
In 2019, the TTC was considering changes to several streetcar routes. As of 2022[update],these ideas had not been implemented. The changes considered were:[63]
- Splitting 501 Queen into two overlapping branches: 501A from Neville Park Loop to Sunnyside Loop, and 501B from Long Branch Loop to a new Riverside Loop, to be constructed along Broadview Avenue just north of Queen Street East
- Extending 504B west to Humber Loop and later to a proposed Park Lawn Loop
- Extending 503 Kingston Road west to Dufferin Gate Loop
The City of Toronto proposed theWaterfront West LRT,a streetcar route that would run fromLong Branch LoopalongLake Shore Boulevardandthe Queenswayto Colbourne Lodge Drive and then adjacent to theLake Shore BoulevardviaDufferin Gate LooptoExhibition Loopand into Union Station viaQueens Quay.New track on a private right-of-way would be required between Colbourne Lodge Drive and Exhibition Loop.[64] In 2019, the City of Toronto approved new track linking Dufferin Gate and Exhibition Loops; however, as of 2022[update],no construction has started.[65]
As of 2022[update],two light-rail lines –Line 5 EglintonandLine 6 Finch West– are under construction. These two lines are not part of the Toronto streetcar system and use incompatible vehicles. (They usestandard-gauge trackrather than the streetcar system'sbroad gauge.) Both lines are considered part of the Toronto subway system.
Discontinued streetcar routes
editBetween late 1921 and 1923, the TTC connected and merged many of the routes it inherited from theToronto Railway Companyand theToronto Civic Railways.On July 1, 1923, the TTC did a major reorganization of routes whereby 9 new routes were created, 6 routes were discontinued, 13 were modified and 8 routes remained unmodified.[66]: 37 The following list shows only those routes discontinued after this reorganization.
Route | Began | Ended | Number | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ashbridge | 1917 | 1924 | Former TRC route, replaced by buses after a bridge carrying the streetcar line was declared unsafe[67] | |
Bay | 1923 | 1954 | Replaced by extended Dupont streetcar[68] | |
Beach | 1923 | 1948 | Route served today by501 Queen[69] | |
Bloor | 1890 | 1966 | Joined former TRC and TCR routes; used multiple unit PCC trains from 1950; replaced byLine 2 Bloor–Danforthsubway.[70] | |
Bloor West | 1914 | 1925 | Former TCR route absorbed into the Bloor streetcar line[70] | |
Bloor shuttle | 1966 | 1968 | Western end of the Bloor streetcar line replaced an extension of the Bloor–Danforth subway[70] | |
Cherry | 2016 | 2018 | 514 | Route cancelled as of October 7, 2018, and replaced by branches of504 King |
Church | 1881 | 1954 | Former TRC route, replaced by Church bus running until 1979[71] | |
College | 1923 | 1933 | Replaced by the Carlton streetcar route[72] | |
Coxwell | 1921 | 1966 | Replaced by22 Coxwell bus | |
Danforth shuttle | 1966 | 1968 | Eastern end of the Bloor streetcar line replaced an extension of the Bloor–Danforth subway[70] | |
Danforth tripper | 1923 | 1966 | Rush-hour variant of the Bloor streetcar route[70] | |
Davenport | 1892 | 1940 | Former Toronto Suburban Railway route, replaced by Davenport bus due to low ridership[73] | |
Dovercourt | 1888 | 1947 | Former TRC route replaced by trolley buses due to declining ridership and to avoid replacing deteriorated track[74] | |
Downtowner | 1973[75] | 2019 | 502 | Merged with 503 Kingston Rd in September 2019 and delisted on TTC website by January 2020[37][38][76] |
Dundas Exhibition | 1980 | 1986 | 522 | Seasonal route also operated during the 1995Canadian National Exhibitionseason and the 2013 season |
Dupont | 1923 | 1963 | Replaced by 6 Bay bus[68] | |
Earlscourt | 1954 | 1976 | Merged into512 St. Clair;assigned number 512L. | |
Fort | 1931 | 1966 | Merged into511 Bathurst | |
Harbord | 1911 | 1966 | Replaced by 72 Pape and 94 Wellesley buses | |
Harbourfront | 1990 | 2000 | 604 | Renumbered as509 Harbourfront |
King Exhibition | 1980 | 2000 | 521 | Temporarily reinstated in 2013 and operated as521 Exhibition East |
Lake Simcoe | 1927 | 1930 | Former T&Y RadialMetropolitan line[77] | |
Lambton | 1924 | 1928 | FormerToronto Suburban Railwayroute, replaced by buses[13] | |
Lansdowne | 1917 | 1947 | Former TCR line extended south by TTC, replaced by trolley buses[78] | |
Mimico | 1927 | 1928 | Former T&Y RadialMimico linereplaced by Beach streetcar route and Port Credit route[79][80]: 153 | |
North Yonge | 1930 | 1948 | From Glen Echo to Richmond Hill[77] | |
Oakwood | 1922 | 1960 | Replaced by 63 Ossington trolleycoach (converted to diesel bus route in 1992 when trolleybus fleet retired)[13] | |
Parliament | 1910 | 1966 | Replaced by 65 Parliament bus | |
Port Credit | 1928 | 1935 | Shortened Mimico route running west ofLong Branch Loop,replaced by buses[79][80]: 153 | |
Scarboro | 1928 | 1936 | Former T&Y RadialScarboro linereplaced by buses[79][80]: 153 | |
Spadina | 1923 | 1948 | Replaced by the 77 Spadina bus; later replaced by the510 Spadinastreetcar in 1997 | |
Mount Pleasant | 1975 | 1976 | Split from 512 St. Clair; replaced by 74 Mt. Pleasant trolleycoach until 1991; diesel bus route from St. Clair station to Mt. Pleasant Loop just north of Eglinton 1976–1977; diesel bus route since 1991. | |
Rogers Road | 1922 | 1974 | Replaced by 63F Ossington via Rogers trolleycoach and 48 Humber Blvd from 1974 to 1994; diesel buses from 1992 onwards. In 1994, 161 Rogers Road service replaced both 63F Ossington and 48 Humber Blvd.[13] | |
Sherbourne | 1874 | 1942 | Former TRC route replaced by buses[81] | |
Weston | 1923 | 1948 | FormerToronto Suburban Railwayroute, replaced by trolley buses[13] | |
Winchester | 1910 | 1924 | Replaced by Yonge and Parliament streetcars (former replaced by subway in 1954 and latter by bus route in 1966); bus route from Parliament Street east to Sumach Street from 1924 to 1930. | |
Yonge | 1861 | 1954 | Replaced byLine 1 Yonge–Universitysubway, Downtown bus (97 Yonge beginning in 1956), and Yonge trolleycoach until 1973, when it was replaced with diesel buses. |
Note that diesel buses also include the later diesel-electric hybrid, battery-electric and gasoline buses.
Rolling stock
editStreetcars acquired by the TTC
editWhen the TTC was created in 1921, it acquired hundreds of cars from its two predecessor companies: theToronto Railway Companyand theToronto Civic Railways.In 1927, the TTC acquired theradialcars of the formerToronto & York Radial Railwaywhen it took over operation of that system from theHydro-Electric Railways.[79]
In the 1920s, the TTC purchased newPeter Wittstreetcars, and they remained in use into the 1960s. In 1938, the TTC started to operate its firstPresidents' Conference Cars(PCC), eventually operating more than any other city in North America. In 1979, theCanadian Light Rail Vehicles(CLRV) entered revenue service,[82]followed by their longer, articulated variants, theArticulated Light Rail Vehicle(ALRV), in 1988.[83]The last of the PCC vehicles were retired from full-time revenue service in 1995.[84]
On August 31, 2014, the TTC started operating its first BombardierFlexity Outlookvehicles. Theselow-floorstreetcars are accessible, making the streetcar network accessible for the first time. The last of the older CLRV and ALRV vehicles were retired from regular service in December 2019.[85]
The following table summarizes streetcars purchased by the TTC since 1921. Themain articlehas more details on rosters, including streetcars inherited from theToronto Railway Companyand theToronto Civic Railways,which are not summarized here.
Type | Quantity | In service | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Peter Witt | 250 | 1921–1954 | "Large" Witts – with rear coupler to haul a trailer |
Peter Witt | 100 | 1922–1965 | "Small" Witts – without coupler; one heritage vehicle retained by the TTC for special occasions. |
2-door trailer | 60 | 1921–1938 | |
3-door trailer | 165 | 1923–1954 | "Harvey" trailers |
PCC | 317 | 1938–1971 | Air-electric; acquired from other transit agencies |
PCC | 428 | 1947–1995 | All-electric; two PCCs retained by the TTC for charters and special occasions.[84] |
CLRV | 196 | 1979–2019 | Entered service in September 1979. Retired from regular TTC service on December 29, 2019.
Three heritage vehicles were retained by the TTC for special occasions, and a number of vehicles were also bought by heritage museums.[86][39] |
ALRV | 52 | 1988–2019 | Articulated, two-section streetcars;entered service January 1988. All ALRVs were officially retired on September 2, 2019.
One heritage vehicle was retained by the TTC for special occasions and another sold to theHalton County Radial Railway.[87] |
Flexity Outlook | 204 | 2014–present | Articulated, with five modules per vehicle, low-floor and wheelchair-accessible. Entered service on August 31, 2014.[49] |
Streetcar shortage (2016–2020)
editFrom 2016 to 2020, the TTC faced a streetcar shortage because of:
- Delays in the delivery of the new Flexity Outlook streetcars[85]
- The declining reliability and retirement of the aging CLRV/ALRV fleet[88]
- A 20 percent increase in streetcar ridership since 2008[85]
- Warranty repairs on 67 Flexity streetcars requiring the shipment of several streetcars at a time to a Bombardier plant[89]
In January 2017, the TTC claimed that delays in delivery of the new Flexity streetcars had resulted in both streetcar and bus shortages. Because the CLRV/ALRV streetcars required extra maintenance, only 170 of the 200 CLRVs and ALRVs could be put into service. This shortage led to the replacement of streetcars by buses on some routes, which in turn led to a reduction of service on some bus routes.[88][90]
To address the streetcar shortage, as well as construction projects, the TTC used bus substitution at various times on several streetcar routes.[91][92]The first bus substitution due to the streetcar shortage occurred on the502 Downtownerroute on October 11, 2016.[91]
Ridership on the 504 King increased by 25 percent after the implementation of theKing Street Transit Priority Corridorthrough downtown King Street. Thus, in February 2018, the TTC replaced the CLRV streetcars on routes505 Dundasand506 Carltonwith buses and reassigned those streetcars to other routes, such as504 Kingand511 Bathurst,to handle crowding from increased ridership.[93][91]
The streetcar fleet capacity had not grown for almost three decades after the CLRVs and ALRVs were introduced. After delivery of the last of the initial 204 Flexity cars ordered, the TTC planned to purchase another 60 cars; however, the TTC estimated that would only satisfy demand until 2023 instead of 2027 as originally planned. Bombardier was the expected supplier for additional streetcars because, if the TTC chose another supplier, a prototype modified for Toronto's track characteristics would not be ready until 2023, with first delivery in 2024 or 2025.[85]
By June 2020, the streetcar shortage had been alleviated by thereduction in ridership due to the COVID-19 pandemicin conjunction with temporary bus replacements on routes511 Bathurstand506 Carltonto accommodate construction projects. With more streetcars available, the TTC could ship up 19 extra streetcars to a Bombardier plant for warranty repairs, as well as introduce Flexity streetcars for the first time on route503 Kingston Rd.[94][95][96]
On October 22, 2020, the TTC board approved the immediate purchase of 13 additional streetcars from Bombardier for delivery in 2023, with an option for 47 more cars, if funding from senior levels of government became available.[97]If the option were taken, the fleet size would increase to 264 streetcars by 2025. Since the existing carhouses can only hold 239 streetcars, the TTC recommended setting up a carhouse at theHillcrest Complexto hold 25 streetcars.[98]The option was exercised, but delivery of the new streetcars did not meet the established schedule. As of February 2024, 4 out of 60 streetcars from the second batch had arrived.[99]
Infrastructure
editTrack characteristics
editThe track on the Toronto streetcar system has characteristics of non-standard gauge, tight curve radii and single-point switches that previous generations of high-floor streetcars were adept at handling. Some of these characteristics were problematic for Bombardier when it adapted its low-floor Flexity Outlook for Toronto's streetcar system.[100][101]
Track gauge
editAll streetcar lines use the unique Toronto gauge of4 ft10+7⁄8in(1,495 mm) which is2+3⁄8inches (60 mm) wider than the4 ft8+1⁄2in(1,435 mm)standard gaugeused by most other rail lines in Canada. This broad gauge was adopted in 1861 for the city's horse-drawn streetcar lines to allow horse-drawn wagons and carriages to use the inside of the rail for a smoother ride through muddy, unpaved streets. The gauge also had the effect of precluding the movement of standard-gauge freight cars along streetcar lines. The unique gauge has remained to this day because it is easier to adapt new rail vehicles to this gauge than toconvertthe entire system to standard gauge. The three heavy-rail lines of the Toronto subway also use the unique gauge; however, the former light-metroLine 3 Scarboroughand two light rail lines under-construction (Line 5 EglintonandLine 6 Finch West) use standard gauge.[102][103]
Track curvature
editCurved track on the streetcar system has a very shortminimum radius of curvature,with streetcars designed for a minimum radius of 10.973 metres (36 ft).[52]The tightest curves are 11.3 metres (37.1 ft) atRoncesvalles CarhouseandRussell Carhouse.[104]Almost all turning loops on the system have curves of less than 15 metres (49.2 ft).[105]
Toronto's Flexity Outlook vehiclesare designed for a minimum radius of 10.973 metres (36 ft).[52]In contrast, thestandard Bombardier Flexity Outlook,as well as theFlexity Freedom(used onLine 5 Eglinton), both require a minimum radius of 25 metres (82 ft).[106][107]
Track switches
editAs with most legacy streetcar systems in North America, the TTC uses single-point switches in special work throughout the system. In contrast, most light-rail systems use double-point switches, with a movable blade on each track. With single-point switches, the blade is only on the inner rail of the curve, and streetcars must have a rigid, continuous axle to pull the wheel on the outer rail through the curve without the blade. Thus, low-floor streetcars with split axles cannot operate through single-point switches. In the early days of the CLRV, Bochum wheels with rubber rings holding the axle caused derailments due to a lack of rigidity, and had to be replaced with SAB wheels.[101]
Streetcar switches are either manual or automatic. For automatic switches, there are loop antennae buried in the road and two transmitters onboard the vehicles. One transmitter is located at the front of the car to set and lock the switch; the second is at the rear to unlock the switch.[a]Because of failing electronics, defective antennae, or the failure of the system to unlock after passage of a car, there is the risk of a streetcar taking the wrong path at a switch.[108]
In 2002, the TTC instituted a "stop, check, go" rule for all facing point switches. Streetcar operators, when approaching such switches, must stop and check the switch-blade setting before proceeding. In 2008, an operator forgot to make this check, which resulted in two streetcars colliding.[108]About 2015, the TTC modified the "stop, check, go" process to includepointing a finger.Each streetcar operator, upon arriving at a facing switch-point, is to stop short of the switch, point with their finger toward the switch's position to confirm that the switch is aligned properly for the streetcar's intended movement, and then proceed.[109]
Loops
editSince all of Toronto's current streetcars are single-ended,turning loopsare provided at the normal endpoints of each route and at likely intermediate turnback locations. A routing on-street around one or morecity blocksmay serve as a loop, but most loops on the system are wholly or partly off-street. Many of these are also interchange points with subway or bus services.
Grand unions
editThe Toronto streetcar system has threegrand unionswhere a streetcar approaching from any direction at a double-track streetcar junction can turn left or right or pass straight through. As of 2012[update],Toronto is the only city in North America to still have full grand unions; other North American cities may have partial unions. The three full grand unions in Toronto are at:[110]
- Spadina Avenue and Queen Street West
- Spadina Avenue and King Street West
- Bathurst Street and King Street West
There is also one7⁄8union at King Street West and Dufferin Street missing only the south-to-west curve. There are seven unions that are two curves short of a grand union. They are from east to west:[111]
- Parliament Street and Dundas Street East
- Parliament Street and Queen Street East
- Church Street and Dundas Street East
- Queen Street West and Victoria Street
- Spadina Avenue and College Street
- Bathurst Street and Dundas Street West
- King Street West, Queen Street West, the Queensway and Roncesvalles Avenue
Grand unions need to be replaced as their tracks wear out. The TTC requires two years of planning and preparation to replace a grand union. Once replaced, the tracks at the grand union are expected to last 20 to 25 years before needing replacement again.[110]
Non-revenue streetcar tracks
editThe streetcar system has non-revenue tracks that interconnect revenue routes and provide alternate routes for planned and emergency diversions. Some non-revenue tracks are necessary for streetcars going in and out of service. Most non-revenue tracks are located in downtown Toronto; they include, roughly from east to west:[111]
- Leslie Street between Queen Street East and theLeslie Barns:This connects a carhouse to the streetcar system.[112]
- Coxwell Avenue between lower Gerrard Street East and Queen Street East
- Parliament Street between Gerrard Street East and King Street East
- Church Street between Carlton Street and King Street East
- Victoria Street between Dundas Street East and Adelaide Street East
- Richmond Street East from Church Street to York Street (westbound only)
- Adelaide Street East between Charlotte and Church Streets (eastbound only)[113]
- York Street from King Street West to Queen Street West (northbound only)
- Bay Street between College Street and Dundas Street West
- McCaul Street between Queen Street East and College Street
- Bathurst Street betweenBathurst stationand St. Clair Avenue West (segment betweenVaughan Roadand St. Clair Avenue West is northbound only): This connects the otherwise isolated 512 St. Clair streetcar line and the Hillcrest Complex to the streetcar system.
- Vaughan Road south of St. Clair Avenue West (southbound only) is part of the above non-revenue streetcar tracks
- Shaw Street between King Street West and Queen Street West
- Ossington Avenue between Dundas Street West and College Street
- Dufferin Street between King Street West and Queen Street West
While the loop alongChurch, Wellington and York Streetssouth of King Street resembles the single-track, non-revenue tracks along Adelaide and Richmond Streets, it is revenue track used to turn back 503 Kingston Rd streetcars.[114]
Richmond, Adelaide, Wellington and York Streets used to be two-way streets with double streetcar tracks. After these streets were converted to one-way streets, the TTC had to abandon the use of the wrong-way track.[115]
To accommodate construction of theOntario LinenearQueen station,Metrolinx,the line's sponsor, required the suspension of streetcar traffic between Church and York Streets for 4.5 years. Thus, two new tracks were built: a new southbound streetcar track on York Street to Adelaide Street, and a new eastbound streetcar track on Adelaide Street between York and Victoria Streets. During the diversion, westbound 501 Queen streetcars would divert via Church, Richmond and York Streets while eastbound streetcars would divert via York, Adelaide and Church Streets. After Queen Street reopens to through traffic, the new streetcar tracks would be retained as non-revenue tracks to provide the TTC with flexibility for future diversions and Ontario Line closures.[116][117]These new tracks went into service on November 6, 2024 for the long-term diversion.[118]The City of Toronto also restored non-revenue streetcar tracks on Adelaide Street between Charlotte and York Streets in addition to the restoration of tracks between York and Victoria Streets to provide further flexibility for diversions.[113]: 40
Electrical pickup
editThe older CLRV and ALRV streetcars had only a trolley pole. Flexity Outlook streetcars have both a pantograph and a trolley pole. All streetcars in service had been using the trolley pole until September 12, 2017, when 509 Harbourfront became the first route to use the pantograph.[30]
With the introduction of the Flexity streetcars, the TTC plans to convert the entire system to be pantograph-compatible. The new streetcars need 50 percent more electric current than the older streetcars, and use of the trolley pole limits the amount of electricity the new cars can draw from the overhead wire, resulting in reduced performance. One consequence of trolley pole use on the Flexity streetcars is that air conditioning does not function in summer.[119]With pantograph operation, the TTC expects Flexity streetcars to have more efficient heating and air conditioning systems, better vehicle performance and fewer delays caused by disconnections from overhead wires.[120]
Since 2008, the TTC has been converting the streetcar overhead wire to be compatible for pantograph electrical pickup as well as for trolley poles. The overhead over the Fleet Street tracks was the first to be converted. The new overhead uses different hangers so that pantographs do not strike supporting crosswires. It also uses a differentgauge of wireto handle the higher electrical demands of Flexity streetcars.[121]
During a rainy period in February 2018, the TTC received an incentive to expedite the conversion of the electrical overhead for pantograph use by the Flexity streetcars. On February 20, 2018, Flexity streetcars using trolley poles were pulling down some of the overhead. In Toronto, the tip of the trolley pole has a shoe with a carbon insert to collect current. The carbon insert also lowers the trolley shoe so that it does not strike hangers that are not yet pantograph-compatible. During wet weather, these carbon inserts wear out faster, needing replacement after a day or two for older streetcars. However, because the Flexity streetcars draw more current than older streetcars, their carbon inserts wore out faster in less than eight hours in the wet weather. (There was also an issue with the quality of carbon the TTC purchased.) With pantographs, this would be less of a problem as the pantograph blades have a larger contact area than a trolley shoe to absorb wear. Because of this incident, the TTC decided it should accelerate the conversion of overhead for pantograph use.[122]
The first three routes to operate with pantographs were509 Harbourfronton September 12, 2017,510 Spadinaon May 14, 2018, and512 St. Clairon October 1, 2018.[123][122]The streetcar system has almost 90 kilometres (56 mi) of streetcar overhead along streets and in yards. As of November 2020[update],80 percent of the overhead has been converted for pantograph use and half of all streetcar routes use pantographs. The TTC expects full conversion by the first quarter of 2025, when trolley poles will no longer be supported.[124]
Dedicated station
editQueens Quayis the one standalone underground station that does not connect to the subway. It is located in the tunnel, shared by the509 Harbourfrontand 510 Spadina routes, between Queens Quay West and Union subway station.
Carhouses
editToronto's streetcars are housed and maintained at various carhouses or "streetcar barns":
Yard | Location | Year opened | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Hillcrest Complex | Davenport RoadandBathurst Street | 1924 | Workshops for the heavy maintenance of buses and legacy streetcars.[125] |
Roncesvalles Carhouse | Queen Street Westand Roncesvalles Avenue | 1895 (for TRC); rebuilt 1921 (by TTC) | Property acquiredToronto Railway Company,but new carbarn built in 1921 with indoor inspection and repair facility and outdoor streetcar storage tracks |
Russell (Connaught Avenue) Carhouse | Connaught Avenue and Queen Street East | 1913 (by TRC and 1916 carhouse added); 1924 (rebuilt by TTC) | Built for theToronto Railway Companyas paint shop and 1916 carhouse built to replace King carhouse lost to a fire in 1916; acquired by the TTC in 1921 and rebuilt in 1924 with indoor maintenance facility and outdoor streetcar storage tracks |
Leslie Barns | Leslie Street and Lake Shore Boulevard East – southeast corner | November 2015[126] | For the storage and maintenance (including heavy maintenance) of low-floor streetcars[125] |
Several carhouses were once part of the TTC's streetcar operations, many inherited from the TTC's predecessors Toronto Railway Company and Toronto Civic Railways:
Yard | Location | Year opened | Year closed | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Danforth Carhouse | Danforth Avenueand Coxwell Avenue | 1915; 1921–22 (additions by TTC) | 2002 | built for theToronto Civic Railwaysin 1915 and additional indoor storage added by TTC in 1921–22; re-purposed as bus garage in 1967; closed in 2002 but still used by TTC for storage and office space[127] |
Dundas Carhouse[128][129] | Dundas StreetWest and Howard Park Avenue | 1897 | 1936 | Original acquired from TRC (built in 1897), but carhouse was demolished in 1931 but retained for storage for 60 cars;wyeand runaround loop since disappeared and area re-developed with cars moving to Roncesvalles in 1938. Site now mixed residential and commercial use. |
Eglinton (Yonge) Carhouse | Eglinton AvenueWest andYonge Street | 1922 | 2002; demolished | Built to replace TRC Yorkville Carhouse and retired as carhouse in 1948 to become bus garage until 2002; most of facility now demolished and remainder used as temporary bus terminal |
Harbour Yard | Lakeshore Boulevard between Bay and York Streets | 1951 | 1954 | Built as temporary outdoor storage space for Peter Witt cars after Eglinton Carhouse closed to streetcars; tracks removed 1954; now site of parking lot and office towers |
Lansdowne Carhouse | Lansdowne Avenueand Paton Avenue | 1911 | 1996; demolished 2003 | Built for theToronto Railway Companyand acquired by TTC in 1921; became a trolley bus garage in 1947 and streetcar storage ended 1967; abandoned after 1996 and demolished 2003. Site a vacant and fenced-off lot. |
St. Clair Carhouse | Wychwood Avenue south ofSt. Clair AvenueWest | 1914 | 1978 | Built for theToronto Civic Railwaysin 1914 and expanded 1916. Acquired by TTC in 1921 and further expanded; closed in 1978 after cars moved to Roncesvalles but continued to be used for storage until the 1990s; tracks removed and restored as community centre namedWychwood Barns.[130] |
Yorkville Carhouse | Between Scollard Street and Yorkville Avenue west of Yonge Street | 1892 | 1922 | The TRC demolished theToronto Street Railway's Yorkville stables in order to build the carhouse.[131]: 114 In 1922, the TTC closed the carhouse; it was later demolished and is now site of a condominium and Townhall Square Park. |
Source:The TTC's Active Carhouses
Winter operational issues
editExtreme cold weather
editThe fleet ofCLRV and ALRVstreetcars experienced several operational issues during extreme cold temperatures during late 2013 and early 2014, late 2014 and early 2015, late 2017 and early 2018, and late 2018 and early 2019, as doors andbrakesfailed as moisture in the pneumatic lines froze. Moisture also caused track sanders to fail. Buses were used to replace streetcars unfit for service, some of which had failed while in service. The newFlexity Outlook streetcarswere unaffected by the weather, as they useelectronic brakingand door operations.[132][133][134][135]During an extreme cold snap between January 20 and 22, 2019, none of the CLRV/ALRV streetcars were in service due to the high risk of breakdowns in the cold weather. Instead, Flexity streetcars, along with buses, were used to provide service. The remaining ALRVs stayed out of service for the rest of that winter season.[136]
By 2020, the CLRV/ALRV vehicles had been entirely replaced by new Flexity streetcars, mitigating these operational issues from occurring in the foreseeable future.[132][133][134][135]
Snow and freezing rain
editThe streetcar overhead is vulnerable during freezing rain storms. During such storms, the TTC applies anti-freeze to the overhead wire to prevent ice from interrupting electrical contact. In addition, the TTC attaches "sliders" to trolley poles on every fifth streetcar to knock ice off the overhead wire. The TTC places overhead crews on standby at various locations around the streetcar network to address problems of power loss or overhead wires coming down.[137][138]
The anti-freeze used on the overheard wire is also applied to streetcar switches on the network. In addition, the TTC runs "storm cars" overnight on all routes to prevent any ice build-up on switches that the anti-freeze could not prevent.[137][138]
In severe storms, the TTC replaces streetcars with buses on some routes, or portions of routes, in order to concentrate streetcars downtown. By creating a smaller service area, it is easier for TTC crews to keep track and overhead wires free of snow and ice. In the event of a severe storm, the TTC replaces streetcars with buses on routes 506 Carlton, 511 Bathurst, and 512 St. Clair, plus the outer portions of 501 Queen and 504 King.[137][139][138]
Another problem that the TTC must cope with following a heavy snowfall is that motorists park cars too close to streetcar tracks because snow banks narrow streets. Motorists are warned that such vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense to prevent streetcar service delays and diversions.[139][138]
Advertising
editPattison Outdoor Advertisingis responsible for posters outside and inside the streetcars, as well as outside and inside the buses and the subway system, but not the streetcar shelters.[140]
See also
edit- Toronto Transit Commission bus system
- Urban rail transit in Canada
- Metrolinxlight rail projects under construction in Toronto:
- Queen subway line(a streetcar tunnel)
- The Queensway § Streetcar right-of-wayused by501 Queen
- Roncesvalles Avenue § Streetcar stop bumpoutsalong504 Kingroute
- Birney (Toronto streetcar)(a model of streetcar operated by the TTC)
- Streetcars in North America(for other streetcar lines in North America)
- List of street railways in Canada– a full list of operating and defunct street railways in the country
Notes
edit- ^This explanation is from several years prior to the delivery of the first Flexity Outlook streetcar.
References
editInline citations
edit- ^"TTC Streetcars".TTC.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
- ^abc"2013 TTC Operating Statistics".Toronto Transit Commission. 2014. Archived fromthe originalon August 16, 2021.RetrievedOctober 4,2014.
- ^"Transit Ridership Report Third Quarter 2024"(PDF).American Public Transportation Association.November 20, 2024.RetrievedNovember 23,2024.
- ^"Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023"(PDF).American Public Transportation Association.March 4, 2024.RetrievedSeptember 5,2024.
- ^abcd"Toronto's Streetcar Network – Past to Present – History".2013. Archived fromthe originalon March 8, 2021.RetrievedJuly 26,2013.
- ^"UrbanRail.Net > North America > Canada > Ontario > Toronto Streetcar (Tram)".
- ^The Canadian Light Rail Vehicles– Transit Toronto
- ^"A History of the Rogers/Weston Streetcar Loops (Northlands, Avon and Bicknell) - Transit Toronto - Content".
- ^Costa, Alvaro; Fernandes, Ruben (February 2012). "Urban public transport in Europe: Technology diffusion and market organisation".Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice.46(2): 269–284.doi:10.1016/j.tra.2011.09.002.
- ^Bragg, William (November 13, 1967). "Our Streetcars are Near the End of the Line".Toronto Star.p. 7.
- ^Thompson, John (April 5, 2017)."Renewing TTC's surface-running streetcar track".Railway Age.RetrievedApril 7,2017.
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) owns and operates more than 200 single-track miles of surface streetcar track, including loops, yards and carhouses.
- ^Cal, Craig (December 1, 2007)."Streetcars for Toronto – 35th Anniversary".Spacing.Archived fromthe originalon November 28, 2010.
- ^abcdeBow, James (August 14, 2017)."The Township Of York Railways (Deceased)".Transit Toronto.RetrievedJune 28,2020.
- ^Bow, James (April 21, 2013)."The Mount Pleasant Streetcar (Deceased)".Transit Toronto.RetrievedOctober 20,2017.
- ^"Kipling".Transit Toronto.RetrievedDecember 14,2017.
A cutaway of the elevations of Kipling and Kennedy station, showing planned LRT platforms. Image courtesy the Toronto Archives and Nathan Ng's Station Fixation web site.
- ^"Frequently Asked Questions About Toronto's Subway And The Scarborough RT".Transit Toronto.July 20, 2017.RetrievedDecember 14,2017.
Why was the Kennedy RT station renovated so soon after it was built?
- ^Munro, Steve(October 25, 2009)."Streetcar Track Replacement Plan 2010–2014".Steve Munro.RetrievedOctober 25,2009.
- ^Abbate, Gay (July 14, 2003)."State of tracks forces streetcars to crawl".The Globe and Mail.RetrievedJuly 14,2003.
- ^Alter, Lloyd (November 25, 2013)."Streetcars save cities: A look at 100 years of a Toronto streetcar line".TreeHugger.Archivedfrom the original on November 26, 2013.RetrievedNovember 25,2013.
A hundred years ago, a new streetcar line was installed on St. Clair Avenue in Toronto in a dedicated right-of-way. In 1928 they got rid of the right-of-way to make more room for cars; In 2006 they rebuilt it again, putting the right of way back.
- ^"Lanes, tracks and bikes".Roncesvalles Village BIA.
- ^Munro, Steve (December 19, 2010)."Parliament and Roncesvalles 2010 Track Work".Steve Munro.RetrievedDecember 19,2010.
- ^Munro, Steve (October 12, 2014)."Streetcars Return to Queens Quay".Steve Munro.RetrievedOctober 12,2014.
- ^Andrew-Gee, Eric (May 7, 2015)."Sunday streetcar stops near churches to be shuttered in June".Toronto Star.RetrievedMay 7,2015.
- ^Freeman, Joshua (November 28, 2014)."Presto card readers to roll out soon on some streetcars: Metrolinx".CP24.RetrievedJanuary 12,2020.
- ^"TTC's new streetcar facility to enter service this Sunday".Toronto Transit Commission.November 20, 2015. Archived fromthe originalon March 9, 2021.
- ^"Proof-of-Payment (POP)".Toronto Transit Commission.Archived fromthe originalon December 7, 2015.RetrievedDecember 6,2015.
- ^Munro, Steve (December 4, 2015)."TTC Service Changes Effective January 3, 2016".RetrievedDecember 6,2015.
- ^ab"Introducing 514 Cherry".Toronto Transit Commission.June 20, 2016. Archived fromthe originalon January 17, 2021.RetrievedDecember 14,2017.
- ^abMorrow, Adrian (May 25, 2012)."A tiny perfect streetcar line is being laid along Cherry Street".The Globe and Mail.RetrievedJuly 19,2012.
- ^abMunro, Steve (September 12, 2017)."Pantographs Up On Harbourfront".Steve Munro.RetrievedSeptember 15,2017.
- ^"King Street pilot to launch in November — but not everyone's happy about it".Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.October 26, 2017.RetrievedOctober 30,2017.
- ^Spurr, Ben (November 8, 2017)."Street overhaul that puts transit first set to launch on King St".Toronto Star.RetrievedNovember 9,2017.
- ^"The current section is Service Advisories 504 King and 514 Cherry route changes".Toronto Transit Commission.October 7, 2018. Archived fromthe originalon September 25, 2018.RetrievedOctober 7,2018.
- ^Jones, Alexandra (December 5, 2018)."Debit/credit pay option to be removed from new streetcars' on-board machines by Dec. 20".Toronto Star.RetrievedJanuary 12,2020.
- ^Bañares, Ilya (August 28, 2019)."Monday is your last chance to ride the TTC's old, articulated streetcars".Toronto Star.RetrievedAugust 30,2019.
- ^"503 Kingston Rd – Route update".TTC. Archived fromthe originalon August 31, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 3,2019.
- ^ab"Editorial – September Board Period Service Changes".The Coupler.Toronto Transit Commission.July 31, 2019. Archived fromthe originalon September 1, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 1,2019.
- ^ab"Editorial – November Board Period Service Changes".The Coupler.Toronto Transit Commission.October 27, 2019. Archived fromthe originalon November 15, 2019.RetrievedNovember 15,2019.
- ^abAguilar, Bryann (November 21, 2019)."TTC to retire its CLRV streetcars on Dec. 29".CP24.RetrievedNovember 29,2019.
- ^"Ontario Launching Credit and Debit Payment on TTC".
- ^Schoolchildren returning from field trip hurt in streetcar crash: report
- ^"Service Summary - March 29, 2020 to May 9, 2020"(PDF).Toronto Transit Commission.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on September 21, 2020.2020 summary shows streetcar route lengths prior to the diversions of 2021–2023.
- ^ab"Service Summary"(PDF).Toronto Transit Commission.June 23, 2024.
- ^ab"Streetcar service returns on Lake Shore Boulevard West".Toronto Transit Commission.November 19, 2023.Archivedfrom the original on November 14, 2023.
- ^"503Kingston Rd–Service reinstated".Toronto Transit Commission.July 30, 2023. Archived fromthe originalon July 31, 2023.
- ^"TTC service adjustments".Toronto Transit Commission.September 1, 2024. Archived fromthe originalon August 28, 2024.
- ^"TTC introduces 305 Dundas all-night streetcar service, improves service to High Park".Toronto Transit Commission.July 26, 2024.Archivedfrom the original on July 27, 2024.
- ^"Service changes on 508 Lakeshore, 512/312 St Clair and 510/310 Spadina routes".Toronto Transit Commission.June 23, 2024. Archived fromthe originalon June 13, 2024.
- ^ab"Service Summary – November 21, 2021, to January 1, 2022"(PDF).Toronto Transit Commission.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on April 28, 2022.RetrievedDecember 21,2021.
- ^"2021 Streetcar Infrastructure Upgrades".ttc.ca.TTC. Archived fromthe originalon May 11, 2021.RetrievedMay 10,2021.
- ^"504/304 King–Temporary route change".Toronto Transit Commission.November 14, 2021.
- ^abcBow, James (February 7, 2017)."The Canadian Light Rail Vehicles (The CLRVs)".Transit Toronto.RetrievedOctober 21,2017.
Some Torontonians also didn't like it when the streetcar route names like QUEEN and KING were removed from the front rollsigns, in favour of route numbers like 501 and 504, and some blamed the CLRV's single rollsign design for this change.
- ^Bow, James (September 14, 2017)."The Toronto Flexity Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs)".Transit Toronto.RetrievedOctober 21,2017.
Photographer Patrick Duran captured this image of Flexity LRV #4416 operating in 501 QUEEN service eastbound at Queen and Bay on May 7, 2016. The streetcar is likely coming off duty from Spadina Avenue, but the destination sign suggests it's still picking up passengers.
photo - ^Bow, James (November 10, 2006)."Route 509 – The New Harbourfront Streetcar".Transit Toronto.RetrievedJuly 21,2007.
- ^Route 512 – The St Clair Streetcar
- ^"St Clair Avenue West Transit Improvements Project – Phase 4".Toronto Transit Commission.2010. Archived fromthe originalon April 25, 2010.
- ^Kalinowski, Tess (June 30, 2010)."Finally, St. Clair streetcar fully restored".The Star.Toronto.
- ^"Fleet Street track reconstruction starts tomorrow, September 4 – Transit Toronto – Weblog".
- ^"Streetcars roll along Fleet Street tomorrow – Transit Toronto – Weblog".
- ^"King Street pilot project extended until end of July 2019 – Toronto | Globalnews.ca".
- ^Rider, David (December 12, 2017)."King St. pilot project moving streetcar riders quicker, city says".Toronto Star.RetrievedDecember 13,2017.
- ^"Waterfront East LRT – Virtual Consultation – Summer 2021"(PDF).City of Toronto.June 21, 2021.RetrievedJune 22,2021.
- ^Munro, Steve (December 10, 2019)."TTC Annual Service Plan for 2020".Steve Munro.RetrievedDecember 10,2019.
- ^"Waterfront Transit Update"(PDF).Toronto Transit Commission.November 13, 2017. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on November 26, 2019.RetrievedNovember 13,2017.
- ^"Toronto's Transit Expansion Program - Update and Next Steps"(PDF).City of Toronto.April 3, 2019.RetrievedMay 7,2019.
- ^Bromley, John F.; May, Jack (1978) [1973].Fifty Years of Progressive Transit: A History of the Toronto Transit Commission(2 ed.). New York: Electric Railroaders' Association.LCCN73-84892.
- ^Bow, James (June 25, 2015)."The Ashbridge Streetcar (Deceased)".Transit Toronto.RetrievedJune 27,2020.
- ^abBow, James (June 25, 2015)."The Dupont And Bay Streetcars (Deceased)".Transit Toronto.RetrievedJune 25,2020.
- ^Bow, James (June 26, 2015)."Route 501 – The Queen Streetcar".Transit Toronto.RetrievedJune 27,2020.
- ^abcdeBow, James (January 23, 2017)."The Bloor Streetcar (Deceased)".Transit Toronto.RetrievedJune 28,2020.
- ^Bow, James (June 29, 2017)."The Church Streetcar (Deceased)".Transit Toronto.RetrievedJune 28,2020.
- ^Bow, James (October 15, 2019)."Route 506 – The Carlton Streetcar".Transit Toronto.RetrievedJune 28,2020.
- ^Bow, James (August 26, 2017)."The Davenport Streetcar (Deceased)".Transit Toronto.RetrievedJune 28,2020.
- ^Bow, James (October 29, 2018)."The Dovercourt Streetcar (Deceased)".Transit Toronto.RetrievedJune 28,2020.
- ^Bow, James (January 17, 2018)."Route 502 And 503 – The Kingston Road Streetcars".Transit Toronto.RetrievedJanuary 22,2018.
- ^"Streetcars".Toronto Transit Commission.Archived fromthe originalon January 12, 2020.RetrievedJanuary 12,2020.
- ^abBow, James (June 25, 2015)."A History Of Interurban Service On Yonge Street".Transit Toronto.RetrievedJune 28,2020.
- ^Bow, James (June 26, 2016)."The Lansdowne Streetcar (Deceased)".Transit Toronto.RetrievedJune 29,2020.
- ^abcdBromley, John F. (1979).TTC '28; the electric railway services of the Toronto Transportation Commission in 1928.Upper Canada Railway Society. pp. 10–12: The Radial Network, 23: Year in review, 27: Lake Shore project, 28: Radial shuttles.RetrievedMay 5,2016.
- ^abcStamp, Robert M. (1989).Riding the Radials, Toronto's Suburban Electric Streetcar Lines.The Boston Mills Press.ISBN1-55046-008-0.RetrievedApril 16,2016.
- ^Bow, James (May 17, 2017)."Remembering The Sherbourne Streetcar (1874–1942)".Transit Toronto.RetrievedJune 28,2020.
- ^Thompson, John (January 5, 2018)."The car that saved Toronto's streetcars".Railway Age.RetrievedJanuary 11,2018.
- ^Bow, James (January 30, 2017)."The Articulated Light Rail Vehicles (The ALRVs)".Transit Toronto.RetrievedJanuary 11,2018.
- ^ab"A History of Toronto's Presidents' Conference Committee Cars (the PCCs) – Transit Toronto – Content".transittoronto.ca.RetrievedApril 18,2016.
- ^abcdSpurr, Ben (June 6, 2018)."Bombardier has inside track for TTC's next streetcar order".Toronto Star.RetrievedJune 6,2018.
- ^"TTC to retire last of its 40-year-old streetcars today".CP24.December 29, 2019.RetrievedDecember 29,2019.
- ^Fox, Chris (August 29, 2019)."TTC to retire its final two articulated streetcars on Monday".CP24.RetrievedAugust 29,2019.
- ^abSpurr, Ben (January 9, 2017)."TTC blames service cuts on streetcar delays".Toronto Star.Archivedfrom the original on January 9, 2017.RetrievedJanuary 9,2017.
- ^Spurr, Ben (July 3, 2018)."Most new TTC streetcars to be recalled to fix welding defect, Bombardier says".Toronto Star.RetrievedJuly 4,2018.
- ^Munro, Steve(December 11, 2016)."TTC Service Changes Effective Sunday, January 8, 2017".Archivedfrom the original on January 10, 2017.RetrievedJanuary 9,2017.
- ^abc"Accessible streetcar service updates".Toronto Transit Commission.Archived fromthe originalon January 14, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 12,2018.
- ^Munro, Steve (October 22, 2016)."TTC Service Changes Effective Sunday, November 20, 2016".Steve Munro.RetrievedJanuary 27,2018.
The continued shortage of streetcars will trigger the following arrangement for service to Exhibition Loop: 511 Bathurst will be operated with buses, and these will run through to the Exhibition grounds.
- ^Moore, Oliver (January 11, 2018)."Toronto's King streetcar sees 'spectacular' rise in ridership".The Globe and Mail.Archivedfrom the original on January 12, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 12,2018.
- ^"505 Dundas and 511 Bathurst service changes".Toronto Transit Commission.April 20, 2020. Archived fromthe originalon April 18, 2020.RetrievedMay 31,2020.
- ^"Seasonal service changes and improvements".Toronto Transit Commission.June 18, 2020. Archived fromthe originalon June 20, 2020.RetrievedJune 20,2020.
- ^"Chief Executive Officer's Report – June 2020 Update"(PDF).Toronto Transit Commission.June 17, 2020. p. 14. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on June 21, 2020.RetrievedJune 21,2020.
- ^"TTC Board endorses Fleet Procurement Strategy and Plan".Toronto Transit Commission.October 22, 2020. Archived fromthe originalon October 23, 2020.RetrievedOctober 23,2020.
- ^"TTC Fleet Procurement Strategy and Plan"(PDF).Toronto Transit Commission.October 22, 2020. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on October 19, 2020.RetrievedOctober 17,2020.
- ^"Service Summary – February 18, 2024 to March 30, 2024"(PDF).Toronto Transit Commission.February 18, 2024.
- ^Spurr, Ben (October 24, 2019)."Poor planning at the start bedevilled Bombardier's delivery of streetcars, TTC meeting hears".Toronto Star.RetrievedOctober 26,2019.
- ^abMunro, Steve(November 10, 2011)."TTC Unveils New Streetcar Design and Mockup (Update 2)".Steve Munro.Archivedfrom the original on March 4, 2015.RetrievedNovember 10,2011.
- ^Kalinowski, Tess (January 6, 2010)."Transit City measures up to international standard".Toronto Star.Archivedfrom the original on September 30, 2013.RetrievedAugust 6,2013.
- ^"Frequently Asked Questions About Toronto's Streetcars".Transit Toronto.April 4, 2020.RetrievedMay 8,2020.
- ^Lam, Stephen (January 12, 2016)."Transportation Research Board"(PDF).Transportation Research Board. p. 9. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on November 11, 2018.RetrievedNovember 10,2018.
- ^"LF LRV Procurement Project – Cancellation of RFP & Way Forward"(PDF).Toronto Transit Commission.August 27, 2008. p. 17. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on November 6, 2018.RetrievedNovember 5,2018.
- ^Karl-Heinrich Grote, Erik K. Antonsson (2009).Springer Handbook of Mechanical Engineering, Volume 10.Springer Science & Business Media. p. 1089.ISBN978-3-540-49131-6.RetrievedMay 19,2020.
- ^Metrolinx(March 16, 2013)."LRV Comparison Chart"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on March 4, 2012.
- ^abMunro, Steve (June 12, 2008)."Streetcar Track Switching".Steve Munro.RetrievedMay 19,2020.
- ^"TTC Audit & Risk Management Committee"(PDF).Toronto Transit Commission.September 11, 2015. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on June 14, 2019.RetrievedJune 20,2020.
- ^ab"Track reconstruction at Queen and Spadina's 'grand union' a grand task".Toronto Star.July 9, 2012.
- ^ab"Tronto streetcar system March 2011".Transit Toronto.March 2011.
- ^"North Service Road & Leslie Street".RetrievedNovember 9,2015.
- ^ab"Ontario Line Downtown Stations – Temporary Road Closures and Community Impacts"(PDF).City of Toronto.November 23, 2021.
- ^"Streetcar Service Changes".Toronto Transit Commission.RetrievedOctober 6,2024.
- ^"Tronto Transit Commission – 2006 Streetcar Track Layout and Route Map"(PDF).Transit Toronto.2006.
- ^Spurr, Ben (August 17, 2021)."Key downtown stretch of Queen St. could close for nearly five years for Ontario Line construction".Toronto Star.RetrievedAugust 17,2021.
- ^"Metrolinx releases detour plans to keep people moving during Ontario Line Queen Street construction".Metrolinx.August 17, 2021.RetrievedAugust 17,2021.
- ^"Improvements coming to TTC's 501 Queen streetcar service this weekend".Toronto Transit Commission.November 6, 2024.Archivedfrom the original on November 9, 2024.
- ^"New Streetcar Implementation Plan"(PDF).Toronto Transit Commission.June 24, 2013. p. 22. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on April 11, 2021.RetrievedApril 28,2018.
New cars draw over 50% more current than the old cars. Low voltage problems will result in reduced performance (i.e. no A/C in summer).
- ^"TTC service adjustments".Toronto Transit Commission.February 12, 2023. Archived fromthe originalon February 11, 2023.
- ^Mackenzie, Robert (September 29, 2008)."Streetcars Roll Along Fleet Street Tomorrow".Transit Toronto.RetrievedApril 25,2018.
- ^abMunro, Steve (April 27, 2018)."Problems With Trolley Shoes on Flexity Cars".Steve Munro.RetrievedApril 27,2018.
- ^Bow, James (October 13, 2018)."The Toronto Flexity Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs)".Transit Toronto.RetrievedOctober 19,2018.
- ^"CEO's Report November 2020"(PDF).Toronto Transit Commission.pp. 12–13. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on September 14, 2021.RetrievedNovember 11,2020.
- ^abSteve Munro(February 9, 2011)."The Ashbridge Carhouse Debate".RetrievedNovember 11,2015.
- ^"TTC's new streetcar facility to enter service this Sunday".News.TTC. November 20, 2015.RetrievedNovember 23,2015.
This Sun., Nov. 22, the TTC's new low-floor streetcars will begin operating out of Leslie Barns, the TTC's new streetcar facility at the corner of Leslie St. and Lake Shore Blvd. E. The Barns is still under construction and won't be fully occupied by the TTC until early next year.
- ^Mallion, Godfrey (August 26, 2017)."Danforth Carhouse And Garage".Transit Toronto.RetrievedMarch 12,2019.
- ^"Jane's Walk 1: The Early Days of the Streetcar System".May 2007.
- ^Toronto, City of (June 29, 2021)."Consolidation: The TTC in the Twenties – Divisional Carhouses and Hillcrest Yard".City of Toronto.RetrievedFebruary 22,2022.
- ^Aaron Adel, James Bow (January 27, 2013)."St. Clair (Wychwood) Carhouse".transit.toronto.on.ca.Transit Toronto.RetrievedSeptember 10,2013.
- ^Pursley, Louis H. (1958).Street Railways of Toronto: 1861–1921.Los Angeles: Interurbans Press.
- ^ab"Some TTC streetcars out of service due to cold weather".Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.January 8, 2015.RetrievedOctober 19,2017.
- ^abKalinowski, Tess (January 7, 2015)."TTC warns of chilly waits as cold freezes streetcar service".Toronto Star.RetrievedOctober 19,2017.
- ^ab"Nearly one-third of old streetcars were unable to leave yard due to frigid weather: TTC".RetrievedJanuary 7,2018.
- ^abFox, Chris (January 5, 2018)."Frigid temperatures impacting transit service".CP24.RetrievedJanuary 7,2018.
- ^Wilson, Codi (January 21, 2019)."Bitterly cold temperatures continue in Toronto".CP24.RetrievedMarch 15,2019.
- ^abc"Service changes in the event of an ice storm".Toronto Transit Commission.April 16, 2018. Archived fromthe originalon April 16, 2018.RetrievedApril 16,2018.
- ^abcd"Service changes in the event of winter weather".Toronto Transit Commission.Archivedfrom the original on November 16, 2022.RetrievedNovember 16,2022.
- ^ab"Service changes in the event of a winter storm – Streetcar".Toronto Transit Commission.Archived fromthe originalon February 25, 2021.RetrievedFebruary 24,2021.
- ^"TRANSIT | Vehicle Interior Exterior | Station Stops | GO Transit | Ferries".
Other references
edit- Gray, Jeff (June 23, 2005)."TTC to shop for new streetcars".The Globe and Mail.
- "Future Streetcar Fleet Requirements and Plans".Toronto Transit Commission. June 22, 2005. Archived fromthe originalon November 9, 2005.
- Livett, Christopher."Toronto's Streetcar System (schematic track map)".Transit Toronto.
- Kalinowski, Tess (April 28, 2009)."A streetcar named Inspire?".Toronto Star.RetrievedOctober 4,2014.– includes a timeline of the history of the Toronto streetcar system
- "Opportunities for New Streetcar Routes"(PDF).Toronto Transit Commission. January 21, 1997.
- "North America – Canada – Ontario – Toronto Streetcar (Tram)".UrbanRail.Net.2012.RetrievedJuly 26,2013.
External links
edit- Toronto Transit Commission
- Subway and streetcar map
- Streetcar service changesincluding current streetcar route diversions
- Transit Toronto Streetcar Pages
- The Toronto LRT Information Page,about LRT rather than streetcars
- Geographically accurate map on Google Maps,circa 2015, omitting later system changes
- gallery of Toronto's streetcarson public-transport.net