TTC increasing service on 24 bus routes, starting next week
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The TTC is bolstering bus service with the new efforts primarily focused on routes that serve riders in the city's suburbs, officials announced Tuesday.
Overall ridership levels are still about 77 per cent of what they were pre-pandemic, but TTC CEO Rick Leary said some routes are currently well above maximum capacity.
"We've had a few weekend days where we're at 118 percent of pre-pandemic levels," Leary told reporters at a news conference.
In response, the TTC is adding buses to 24 routes that mainly serve those in Scarborough, North York and Etobicoke. You can find a full list of the routes at the bottom of this story.
Leary said the expansion will help fill the gaps created by the closure of Line 3, the Scarborough RT. The upcoming bus service expansion was funded through money set aside in the latest city budget.
The TTC has been incrementally adding service in recent years. Leary said the increase announced Tuesday will have the system operating at 96 per cent of what was offered before 2020.
TTC CEO Rick Leary announced that more buses will be added to 24 routes across the city, which will improve service frequency and alleviate bus capacity. (CBC)
Ridership has declined since 2019 for a variety of reasons. Work from home trends, safety concerns and service disruptions are a few major drivers.
A recent TTC report revealed that 55 per cent of customers say they are proud of the TTC, a score that fell by eight per cent from January to February. Those results came from a monthly survey of 500 riders.
On the issue of safety, the report said there was an decrease in violence against customers year over year but that rates are still double the agency's targets.
The report also said customers' complaints, collected through the agency's website, telephone calls, email and X (formerly Twitter), mostly focused on service timeliness and missed stops.
When it comes to buses, the TTC was on time 87 per cent of the time during January 7 and February 17. That's short of the agency's goal of 90 per cent, which still allows a bus to leave one minute earlier or five minutes later than the scheduled departure time.
Unclear if changes will make needed impact: advocate
Transit advocate Steve Munro said the TTC hasn't released enough information to determine whether the new service additions will make a tangible impact.
"From past experience, I know that they will tend to make these announcements and when you finally get the details there is far less there than it's made out to be," he said.
The 123 Sherway bus is one of 24 bus routes that will see a boost in service starting May 12. (Christopher Mulligan/CBC)
Munro said adding a few more buses to routes won't be enough for riders and that what's really needed is frequent, uncrowded service that is evenly spaced out.
"Frankly, I think this is something that is going to bite the mayor and the TTC board, if they don't become aware of the fact that they're overselling what's being put in the street."
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow pledged at the news conference that TTC service would come back pre-pandemic levels and has also said she wants the transit agency to improve customer service.
"Last year, there [were] about 130 complaints a day on average. We need to improve our customer service," she said.
Ridership requires dependability, says board chair
Scarborough North city councillor and TTC board Chair Jamaal Myers told CBC Toronto that restoring ridership will come from improving dependability.
"It's 100 per cent restoring confidence in the system. Restoring faith. Restoring reliability. And also attracting new customers," he said. "So, people who drive, if we can get them using the system one or two days a week. That's a win."
The announcement took place along the 95 York Mills route in Scarborough, where bus service is essential for residents who don't have a subway system within their area.
"As a TTC rider myself, these changes cannot come soon enough," Myers said.
Emily Crocker, a social worker who works with youth, said better transit service is essential for her clients who rely on the TTC to do everything from getting to their appointments to buying groceries.
"We know we're in an affordability crisis, so people need reliable, accessible and affordable transportation," she said.
Here's a list of bus routes that will have more service:
19 Bay
25 Don Mills
36 Finch West
39 Finch East
44 Kipling South
46 Martin Grove
53 Steeles East
57 Midland
60 Steeles West
68 Warden
72 Pape
76 Royal York South
95 York Mills
104 Faywood
111 East Mall
114 Queens Quay East (new)
122 Graydon Hall
123 Sherway
184 Ancaster Park
902 Markham Road Express
935 Jane Express
939 Finch Express
995 York Mills Express
