Toronto Transit Commission incidents

Last updated

Shuttle buses are often deployed to replace service during an emergency subway closure that is expected to last more than 15 minutes. Yonge St & Bloor St W.jpg
Shuttle buses are often deployed to replace service during an emergency subway closure that is expected to last more than 15 minutes.
Bloor-Yonge station during a service disruption on Line 1 Yonge-University Bloor-Yonge service disruption March 2015.jpg
Bloor–Yonge station during a service disruption on Line 1 Yonge–University

This article lists major incidents of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) since 1954, such as accidents and other notable unplanned events.

Contents

Accidents and other incidents

1900s

2000s

2000–2009

  • On December 8, 2000, a garbage train caught fire while en route through Old Mill station. The train was completely destroyed and the 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. [16]
  • On August 14, 2003, the Northeast Blackout severely impacted TTC services. Without power, subway service was suspended and 18 trains were stuck in tunnels; however, all other trains were able to coast to the nearest station to be evacuated. [17] Streetcars remained stationary where they were, and buses fought to get through gridlocked traffic, hampered by the lack of traffic signals. The subway did not reopen until August 18, the longest complete interruption in subway service in the history of the TTC.[ citation needed ] The incident led to an extensive review of TTC emergency procedures.
  • On February 6, 2006, Mary Kim was born on a subway train at Wellesley station. TTC officials later promised Mary Kim lifetime access to the TTC's service. [18]
  • In February 2006, four people were arrested for counterfeiting TTC tokens and smuggling them into Canada. The TTC lost an estimated $10 million dollars in revenue. The suspected manufacturer in Massachusetts claimed to be unaware they were involved in a counterfeiting scheme. The fake tokens used the same aluminum alloy as genuine TTC tokens produced by the Royal Canadian Mint. In late 2006, the TTC introduced a new bi-metal token to thwart counterfeiting. [19]
  • On April 23, 2007, a TTC asbestos removal crew employee, Tony Almeida, was killed and several others were injured at the end of a night shift when the work car they were operating snagged on some cabling and dislodged a work platform. The TTC was fined $250,000 ($352,242 in 2023 dollars) for violating the Occupational Health and Safety Act (though Canada does not have such an act; it was sourced from the Toronto Sun ). [20] [21] It was later found that Almeida was under the influence of cannabis. [22]

2010–2019

  • On August 30, 2011, a woman was killed when a TTC bus rear-ended a flatbed truck carrying a crane on Lawrence Avenue between Victoria Park Avenue and Don Mills Road. [23] At least 13 other people were injured in the crash. [24] [25] [26] The bus driver was charged in the incident. [27] [28] [29]
  • On July 22, 2012, two people were injured when a bus crashed into a building on Queen Street West at Peter Street. The bus hit a car and then a taxicab before slamming into the building. [30] [31]
  • On August 10, 2012, a man was chased through Lawrence East station and gunned down against a fence. He survived with critical injuries and was identified as one of the emerging leaders of the Galloway Boys street gang. [32] [33]
  • On September 14, 2012, before the start of service TTC employee, Peter Pavlovski was killed and another TTC employee was seriously injured after being struck by a subway maintenance train north of Yorkdale station. The investigation prevented many trains from departing the Wilson Subway Yard, affecting morning rush service. [34]
  • On July 27, 2013, 18-year-old Sammy Yatim was shot dead by police aboard the 505 Dundas streetcar. The police officer who shot Yatim dead was later charged with second-degree murder and attempted murder and was found guilty of the latter. [35]
  • On August 13, 2013, a cube truck crashed head-on into an idle TTC bus near Middlefield Road and Steeles Avenue East. The accident killed one person and injured 12 people. [36]
  • Between December 21 and 22, 2013, a violent ice storm impacted TTC service. On December 22, all streetcar service was suspended for most of the day due to thick ice on the overhead wires. Between December 22 and 23, all of Line 3 Scarborough was shut down, and power issues led to Line 4 Sheppard being closed between December 22 and 24. A number of disruptions were also reported on Line 1 Yonge–University and Line 2 Bloor–Danforth, with some stations being closed for several hours due to power outages. [37]
  • On January 29, 2015, a brawl occurred at the concourse level of Union station just after a Toronto Maple Leafs game. Two intoxicated men were resisting arrest and fighting with transit special constables. During the arrest, two TTC Transit Enforcement Unit officers punched one man in the face several times and another man in the ribs during the arrest. Toronto Police arrived and charged the two men. A cell phone video was later posted on Facebook, causing public scrutiny and backlash against the TTC. An independent review of the incident later deemed the arrest and subsequent use of force to be lawful. [38] [39] Two years later, the victims filed a $4 million lawsuit against the TTC and the two enforcement officers. [40]
  • On June 8, 2015, between 6:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., the entire subway network was shut down due to "major communication issues" between TTC subway trains and the TTC's transit control centre. Hundreds of thousands of commuters were stranded during the shutdown since no shuttle buses were provided to replace subway service. TTC officials believed the incident was caused by a defective switch that drained the battery for the backup power supply. [41]
  • On June 18, 2018, a man believed to be in his mid-50s to early 60s was pushed onto the eastbound Line 2 Bloor–Danforth tracks at Bloor–Yonge station and died when struck by an incoming subway train. A first-degree murder charge was laid against the man accused of the attack. [42]

2020–present

  • On June 12, 2020, there was a near-collision between two subway trains on Line 1 Yonge–University. Prior to the incident, train 123 was standing on the pocket track on the south side of Osgoode station while train 114 was holding northbound at St. Andrew station with a medical emergency on board. Both trains started to head north towards the switch connecting the pocket track to the northbound main track at Osgoode station. The guard at the rear of train 123 spotted train 114 moving and alerted the operator who stopped train 123 within 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) of train 114. Train 123 with two crew aboard was running at 7 km/h (4.3 mph), while train 114 with 5 passengers and 2 crew was running at 43 km/h (27 mph). The mainline was under automatic train control (ATC) but Transit Control had instructed the crew of train 123 to use manual control on the pocket track. Train 123 was facing a red light on the pocket track, but it was not parked far enough in for its operator to properly see it. The TTC gave unpaid suspensions to the operators of train 123. The TTC union blamed a flaw in ATC that prevented its use on the pocket track. After the incident, the TTC disallowed manual mode on the pocket track. [43]
  • On October 29, 2021, the TTC became the target of a ransomware attack, which shut down Vision, the TTC's communications systems. After the attack, the TTC used its backup radio system to communicate with vehicle operators. Also affected were the TTC website (which had debuted its redesign to the public a few days prior), TTC internal email, Wheel-Trans online bookings and displays of next bus information. TTC staff detected unusual network activity on the evening of October 28, 2021, but the full effect of the attack peaked on the afternoon of October 29, 2021. [44] By November 11, 2021, the TTC disclosed that the hackers may have had the ability to access personal employee information, such as social insurance numbers. As a result, the TTC offered three years of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection to its current and former employees. By this time, the TTC had restored its most important computer systems; however, its email system continued to remain offline. [45]
  • In December 2021, a vandal damaged elevators at 11 subway stations. Temporary repairs were completed within 24 hours, and TTC special constables apprehended a suspect, who was charged with ten counts of mischief. [46]
  • On January 17, 2022, a heavy snowfall of 55 centimetres (22 in) crippled public transit in Toronto, [47] including the TTC's subway, streetcar and bus systems. The TTC reported that 540 of its 1,300 vehicles in service were disabled on the street, including buses, which normally do not use snow tires. [48] At-grade or above-grade sections of the subway system were not operational due to mechanical issues caused by heavy snow, with some sections closed until the end of service that day. [49]
  • On July 24, 2023, the last car of a train on Line 3 Scarborough derailed south of Ellesmere station. There were 45 people on board, with five injuries reported. [50] The TTC closed the line while the cause of the accident was investigated. It announced on August 24 that the line would not reopen ahead of the planned closure in November of that year. [51] In late September 2023, the TTC explained that bolts that hold the linear induction rail to the roadbed came loose, causing the magnetically attracted induction rail to strike and derail the last car of the train. [52]

COVID-19 pandemic

Ridership decline and impact

By late March 2020, TTC ridership had dropped by 70 to 72 percent due to measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Ridership had dropped 80 percent on the subway, 76 percent on streetcars, 62 percent on buses and 75 percent on Wheel-Trans. The TTC estimated its weekly fare revenue dropped from $25 million to $7 million. By late March, the TTC was operating 80 percent of its normal service with reduced ridership and lower staffing levels. [53]

Because of the reduced ridership, the TTC cut a number of services starting March 23, 2020. All downtown express bus routes (141–145) and all but three of the 900-series express bus routes were suspended. Streetcar route 508 Lake Shore was suspended and route 503 Kingston Rd was shortened to run only along its namesake street. [54]

By late April 2020, TTC ridership had fallen to 85 percent of pre-pandemic levels, and the TTC was losing $90 million per month. On April 23, 2020, the TTC announced it would temporarily lay off 1000 operators (after the 30 days' notice required by their union contract) plus 200 non-unionized staff. The TTC still intended to operate between 70 and 80 percent of its pre-pandemic service. [55]

In early May 2020, the TTC announced a further 15 percent reduction in service starting May 10. Rush-hour services on Line 1 Yonge–University and Line 2 Bloor–Danforth would be reduced to match midday and early evening frequency. [56] Service would be cut on 120 bus and streetcar routes. [57] All seasonal bus route extensions (such as to Toronto Zoo, Cherry Beach, Bluffer's Park, Ontario Place, Harbourfront and Woodbine Beach) would be deferred. [56] The remainder of the 503 Kingston Rd route was replaced full-time by the 22A Coxwell bus. [58] [59] These service reductions were expected to last at least until the end of August 2020. [57]

On May 24, 2020, due to reduced ridership and fare revenue, the TTC temporarily laid off 450 employees as a cost-saving measure. [60]

In December 2020, the TTC decided to take advantage of low ridership due to the pandemic and temporarily closed a portion of Line 1 Yonge–University for nine full days in order to do maintenance. The TTC closed Line 1 between Sheppard–Yonge and Finch stations between December 4 (11 pm) and 13, replacing train service with shuttle buses. Maintenance included installing automatic train control, removing asbestos, repairing tunnel linings, performing track remediation and station cleaning. The closure avoided over two years of early nightly closures and provided cost savings. [61] [62]

By February 2021, TTC operators had noticed that homeless people were taking refuge on TTC vehicles because other options were not available during the pandemic. Libraries and indoor seating at coffee shops were unavailable, and homeless shelters were 99.9 percent full. Since April 2020, two teams each consisting of a TTC constable and an outreach worker have attempted to help the homeless sheltering on TTC vehicles but with limited success due to the size of the TTC network. The TTC union urged the city to find alternative accommodation for the homeless. [63]

In 2021, as in December 2020, the TTC again decided to take advantage of low ridership to shut down other portions of Line 1 Yonge–University for multiple 10-day periods for maintenance. For three 10-day periods starting March 15, April 12 and May 17, the TTC closed Line 1 between St. George and St. Andrew stations for tunnel lining repairs, asbestos removal, station cleaning, electrical work and track upgrades. [64] [65] [66] In another 10-day period starting April 26, the TTC closed Line 1 between Wilson and Sheppard West stations for switch installation and track work. [67]

Protective changes

Seat restricted sign used in the Toronto Transit Commission's vehicles during the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain physical distancing TTC Seat Restricted Sign.svg
Seat restricted sign used in the Toronto Transit Commission's vehicles during the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain physical distancing

To maintain physical distancing from bus operators, boarding and fare payment procedures were changed on buses by late March. All passengers who did not require the wheelchair ramp had to board by the rear door of the bus. By April 8, 2020, the TTC was installing thick vinyl barriers on buses to separate the front of the bus from the passenger seating area; the barriers were collapsible to allow access for ramp users from the front door. The TTC stopped accepting cash, tokens and older tickets to pay fares on buses and bus operators stopped handing out paper transfers. However, the TTC allowed riders without a Presto card or Presto ticket to board buses, but asked that they pay the fare later if transferring to a streetcar or the subway. The TTC suspended fare inspections. The TTC permitted operators to wear masks on the job. [54]

Despite the drop in ridership, there was still crowding on several bus routes, preventing physical distancing of the recommended 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) among riders. Crowding occurred when workers from manufacturing areas were boarding at a shift change. To address crowding, the TTC deployed extra buses on affected routes by April 1, 2020, and recommended that riders try to travel after 8 a.m. to avoid the morning rush hour. Crowding was not observed to be a problem on subways and streetcars. [68]

Washroom breaks became a problem for some bus and streetcar operators. While most surface routes connect with a subway station equipped with washrooms, some routes may take up to two hours to return to a subway station. Thus, operators, who had informal agreements with private businesses to use their washrooms, found those facilities closed during the pandemic. The lack of washroom facilities became a health and safety issue as operators could be hurried and distracted. To remedy the problem, the TTC placed portable washrooms for employee use along some routes. [69]

In January 2020, the TTC began performing extra cleaning and disinfection of vehicles and stations with a focus on touch-and-grab points. By mid-April 2020, the TTC was installing foot-operated hand sanitizer dispensers at subway stations, aiming to complete installation at main entrances by April and secondary entrances by May. Dispensers are located just inside the paid area, and staff monitor them for customer usability. In late April, the TTC blocked off seats on buses, streetcars and subway trains to promote physical distancing among passengers; the TTC used caution tape initially to block seats until more formal seat coverings and signage became available. Starting May 4, bus operators were allowed to designate their bus as "drop off only" and display those words on the LED sign on the front of the bus. "Drop off only" meant that no additional passengers would be allowed to board. This change was to maintain physical distancing and prevent overloading the bus. [70]

The TTC closed its Customer Service Centre above Davisville station on March 17, 2020, and its Lost Articles Office in Bay station and Photo ID Facility in Bathurst station effective March 19, 2020. In late March, the TTC allowed Presto card holders on the 12-month pass plan to cancel the plan without penalty. The cancellation was effective from April onwards and lasted until card holders set up a new auto-renew subscription. [54]

The TTC has assigned Wheel-Trans vehicles for the transfer of Toronto Community Housing residents with COVID-19 symptoms to healthcare facilities. The TTC operators for such trips are equipped with personal protective equipment, and the vehicles are given an intense cleaning after use. [71] All Wheel-Trans vehicles are restricted to carrying only one passenger at a time during the pandemic. [72]

In late April 2020, the TTC, working with Toronto Paramedic Services, converted five decommissioned TTC buses into ambulances to transport COVID-19 patients. Each bus can carry 3 stretcher patients, 8–10 ambulatory patients, 3 paramedics to attend to patients, and a TTC driver. These buses may be used to transfer patients between health facilities, to handle large incidents, and to provide shelter for facility evacuations. [73] They have also been used to shuttle homeless people from shelters and campsites to medical and cooling facilities. [74]

Initially, the TTC supplied masks only to Wheel-Trans operators and maintenance workers dealing with hazardous substances. By mid-April 2020, the TTC changed its policy after pressure from its union, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113. Subsequently, each bus operator received two masks along with gloves, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes. The TTC later provided the same equipment to streetcar operators. [72] [75]

On May 19, 2020, the TTC strongly recommended that all passengers wear a mask and keep two metres (6 ft 7 in) away from employees and other passengers. [54] Effective July 2, 2020, passengers were required, with few exceptions, to wear masks when riding on the TTC. Despite a potential fine of $195, the TTC stated that it would not be enforcing this requirement. Instead, the TTC decided to use 100 "COVID-19 ambassadors" to encourage passengers to wear a mask. The goal was to have 90 percent of passengers wearing masks, [76] [77] and by July 10, 2020, the TTC observed that 89 percent of all riders were wearing masks despite the lack of enforcement. Prior to the mask policy, only half of riders were wearing masks. [78] By August, 95 percent of riders were wearing masks according to the TTC CEO's Report for that month. [79] By September, compliance was at 97 percent. [80]

By August 2020, the TTC had purchased 600 foot-activated hand sanitizer dispensers from Canadian Mill Nettclean Supply Inc. and distributed them throughout the system. [79]

Effective September 17, 2020, and lasting until at least December 31 of the same year, the TTC ordered that all TTC employees that could come into contact with other individuals wear masks. Previously, masks were optional for TTC employees. Exceptions include subway and streetcar operators who work alone in closed cabs. The TTC had observed in August 2020 that employees were gathering in groups on TTC property without masks and physical distancing. [80]

By mid-November 2020, the TTC was having 11 vending machines installed at 10 subway stations where customers could purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves, sanitizer and wipes. This was addition to TTC staff handing out free single-use masks at some subway stations. [81]

Reinstatement of services

On May 19, 2020, the Lost Articles Office reopened, with only one person at a time being allowed in its vestibule. The office had been closed since March 20, 2020, because of the city lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Similarly, the TTC reopened its Customer Service Centre on May 25, 2020, allowing only two customers at a time in the office. [54] On June 22, the TTC restored full service on route 503 Kingston Rd that had been partly suspended on March 24 due to reduced ridership. [82]

By late June 2020, although subway and streetcar ridership remained at 18 percent of pre-pandemic levels, bus ridership had reached 37 percent, compared to 14 percent in late April. By this time physical distancing was becoming difficult with 18 percent of bus trips exceeding the maximum of 15 passengers per bus. [76]

In June 2020, the TTC resumed fare inspections but only to advise and encourage passengers to pay their fares. On July 2, 2020, all-door boarding was implemented on buses. Passengers could pay cash, tokens and senior and youth tickets and obtain a transfer at the front door of a bus; this reversed a change made in early April.

On August 12, 2020, the Province of Ontario promised $404 million for TTC operations to compensate for reduced ridership and revenue loss during the pandemic, with more funding to come later. The TTC projected a shortfall of $700 million in 2020. At the time, ridership was at 35 percent of pre-pandemic levels; it was increasing more on buses than on other modes. When ridership increases to 50 percent, the TTC will start restoring more services, which have been operating at 85 percent of pre-pandemic levels. [83] As a condition of funding, the provincial government is requiring transit agencies, including the TTC, to consider using privately operated microtransit such as Uber's ride-sharing services to replace low-volume bus routes. Innisfil in Simcoe County north of Toronto conducted a pilot of such an approach, which was popular with participants but was criticized for costing more than a public transit bus service and contributing to congestion. [84]

On August 27, 2020, the TTC announced a recall of 150 of the 450 TTC employees who were laid off in late May. This was to handle school reopenings in September. By late August, ridership had increased from its lowest point of 15–20 percent to 35–40 percent of pre-pandemic ridership. [85] On September 17, the TTC announced the recall of an additional 132 laid-off union employees to return to work starting October 4. The TTC will recall the remaining 168 laid-off employees when ridership reaches 50 percent of pre-pandemic levels. [86]

On October 15, 2020, the TTC announced the recall of the last 180 laid-off front-line workers, including 97 operators. The recall would allow the TTC to restore full service to the system. At that time, ridership had risen to 36 percent of pre-pandemic levels; by mode, bus ridership was at about 50 percent of pre-pandemic levels versus 32 and 36 percent for subway and streetcar usage respectively. The TTC was responding to complaints of overcrowding (given the requirements for physical distancing) on buses even though the bus system was already at 95 percent capacity. The recall would also allow the TTC to staff shuttle buses during a scheduled ten-day shutdown of Line 1 Yonge–University in December 2020 between Finch and Sheppard–Yonge stations for asbestos removal. The TTC planned to recruit new drivers to replace those retiring. [87]

As part of a project dubbed RapidTO, the TTC opened priority bus lanes on Eglinton Avenue East on October 11, 2020. [88] The COVID-19 pandemic provided the impetus for the RapidTO project. The lanes were created to improve TTC service in lower-income neighbourhoods, which house employees performing essential services during the pandemic. By allowing buses to move faster, there would be less crowding and better physical distancing. [89] Two express bus routes (905 Eglinton East Express and 986 Scarborough Express) that were suspended in mid-March 2020 were restored to operate along the new bus lanes. [88] Effective November 23, 2020, eight additional 900-series express bus routes were restored elsewhere in the city for Monday-to-Friday service. [90]

For the week ending October 1, 2021, the TTC was operating 98 percent of its service, carrying 43 percent of its pre-pandemic ridership. By November 2021, the TTC began to enforce a vaccine mandate affecting its employees. Any employee not reporting their vaccine status by November 20, 2021, would be placed on unpaid leave. Any employee not vaccinated by December 31, 2021, would be terminated. As of November 16, 2021, 90 percent of TTC employees had disclosed their vaccine status, of which 85 percent were fully vaccinated. [91] The TTC expected this would result in a labour shortage. Thus, for the service period beginning November 21, 2021, the TTC planned to temporarily reduce service on Line 2 Bloor–Danforth and on 57 bus routes and one streetcar line (512 St. Clair). The TTC estimated a 10 percent reduction in service starting November 21, 2021. [92] [93] By early December 2021, 800 TTC employees had been suspended without pay for failing to comply with the vaccine mandate. [94] On December 31, 2021, the TTC dismissed 354 employees (over two percent of its workforce) for non-compliance with the vaccine mandate. About 200 other employees were still on unpaid leave pending the receipt of a second vaccine dose by January 31, 2022. The TTC embarked on a recruitment campaign to replace the dismissed employees. [95] On February 13, 2022, the TTC partially restored service to pre-pandemic levels on 17 bus routes. [96]

In August 2022, TTC ridership was 55–60 percent of pre-pandemic volumes. Due to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, the TTC expected a 10–15 percent increase in passenger volume as workers return to offices and students return to school. Thus, the TTC scheduled increased service starting on September 4, 2022, affecting 29 bus routes, 2 streetcar routes, and subway lines 1 and 2. [97] At that date, all but six of the routes suspended in March 2020 were back in service. The five Downtown Express routes 141–145 remained suspended pending a review of their effectiveness for the 2023 Annual Service Plan and have since been suspended indefinitely due to low ridership. The 508 Lake Shore streetcar route remained suspended pending completion of a track replacement along its route. [98]

By October 7, 2022, ridership on the bus system was 75 percent of pre-pandemic levels, with 54 percent for the streetcar system, 62 percent for the subway system and 62 percent for Wheel-Trans. [99] :4

In November 2022, the TTC offered to rehire many of the 367 unvaccinated workers it dismissed in late 2021. The TTC lifted its mandatory vaccination policy effective the end of that month. Rehired workers would not get back pay but their seniority would be preserved. [100]

By January 2023, ridership was still 30 percent below pre-pandemic levels. Thus, the city decided that the TTC must raise fares and cut service to compensate for lower revenue. The TTC decided to implement 39 service changes, of which 28 would be service reductions; 26 of the 28 routes would have a 10 percent increase in wait times. Most service cuts would be in off-peak hours. A study out of Toronto Metropolitan University claimed that most of the service cuts would affect areas with lower-income people. The TTC scheduled the service changes to begin on March 26, 2023. However, the fares for the Fair Pass program were not increased as the program serves low-income riders and riders with disabilities, including non-physical disabilities, recognized by ODSP. [101]

COVID-19 incidents

On March 19, 2020, the TTC temporarily closed the Duncan garage at the Hillcrest Complex after a mechanic tested positive for COVID-19. The TTC sent 170 co-workers home to self-isolate for two weeks and had the garage disinfected. The mechanic testing positive had worked one shift on March 11 before being sent home after feeling ill. Since the garage was used for major overhauls and rebuilds, its temporary closure had no impact on daily bus operations. [102]

On April 23, 2020, the TTC sent 70 staff at the Queensway garage home to self-isolate for two weeks after five co-workers tested positive for COVID-19. The TTC had the garage disinfected. The garage was not closed; some managerial staff were assigned maintenance work, and the TTC intended to reassign some maintenance work to other garages. [103]

By June 2020, there had not been any confirmed cases of COVID-19 being spread by passengers riding on public transit. This observation contradicted predictions at the beginning of the crisis that public transit would be a major venue for the spread of virus. 65 out of 15,000 TTC employees contracted COVID-19, but it is unknown whether they contracted it on or off the job. Toronto Public Health (TPH) did not trace any of the 13,500 COVID-19 cases to public transit. TPH spokesperson Dr. Vinita Dubey warned that this did not mean the virus was being transmitted on public transit as the long 14-day incubation period makes it difficult to determine where and when infection occurred. [104]

Suicides

The TTC has long maintained a policy of not releasing suicide information and statistics to the public or the media for fear of the possibility of "copycat suicides". In 2008, the Toronto Sun launched a year-long appeal before Ontario's Information and Privacy Commissioner to have the TTC release information on the number of suicides and attempts between 1998 and 2007. The Information and Privacy Commissioner ordered the statistics be made available, and they were released to the public on November 26, 2009. [105]

From 1998 to 2007, 150 people died by suicide by coming into contact with a TTC subway train. Since 1954, when the Yonge subway line first opened, there have been more than 1,200 incidents on the TTC (including both fatalities and attempts). [106]

After being forced to make the information public, the TTC ensured that it also released information demonstrating the efforts being taken to intervene and prevent such incidents in the future. [107] The TTC's "Gatekeeper Program" is an internal course available for front line staff to learn and identify the warning signs of someone who may be suicidal, and help them or try to prevent them from doing so on the transit system. The TTC also has partnerships with St. Michael's Hospital and other institutions to assist with both prevention programs and counselling programs for staff who have witnessed such incidents. [108] The TTC maintains that it will continue its policy of not reporting suicides and suicide-related statistics, [105] however in February 2010, statistics from 2008 and 2009 were released in a public report to the Commission regarding suicide and suicide prevention. [109] On November 10, 2014, separate suicide attempts were made, halting service on two lines. Following this, platform screen doors were discussed, but the TTC did not have a plan for funding the $800 million required to upgrade all its subway stations, including those on the Line 1 extension to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre station. [110]

Statistics

The below statistics are the subway suicide incidents and attempts from 1998 through 2016: [111]

Year Suicides  Attempts Total Incidents
1998121325
199922426
2000211233
2001121729
2002161127
200317926
200415823
200514620
200681119
200713922
200811819
200914418
2010191029
20118816
201211820
20138917
201491726
201511516
2016437

Note: Data obtained from Toronto Transit Commission report that does not distinguish between attempted and completed suicides.

Track delays

In 2018, the TTC reported that trains were delayed for 1572 total minutes and that there were over 110 unauthorized track-level incidents. [112]

Motorists entering streetcar tunnels

Streetcar portal leading to Queens Quay station in 2009 prior to the installation of bar gates in October 2018 Queens Quay TTC ramp.JPG
Streetcar portal leading to Queens Quay station in 2009 prior to the installation of bar gates in October 2018

There have been over twenty incidents of motorists illegally entering the streetcar portal west of Queens Quay station between 2014 and 2017. [113] This figure increased to 25 from 2014 to March 2018. [114] Because of these incidents, the TTC installed bar gates to deter motorists from entering the portal in October 2018; the gates cost $61,000 to install. [115]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toronto Transit Commission</span> Agency responsible for local public transit in Ontario, Canada

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is the primary public transport agency in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, operating the majority of the city's bus and rail services. It is the oldest and largest of the urban transit service providers in the Greater Toronto Area, with numerous connections to systems serving its surrounding municipalities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Line 3 Scarborough</span> Defunct light rapid transit line in Toronto, Canada

Line 3 Scarborough, originally known as Scarborough RT (SRT), is a defunct medium-capacity rapid transit line that was part of the Toronto subway system in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The line ran entirely within the eastern district of Scarborough, encompassing six stations and 6.4 kilometres (4.0 mi) of mostly elevated track. It connected with Line 2 Bloor–Danforth at its southwestern terminus, Kennedy, and terminated in the northeast at McCowan. Until its closure in July 2023, the system had a ridership of 3,908,000 per year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toronto subway</span> Rapid transit system in Ontario, Canada

The Toronto subway is a rapid transit system serving Toronto and the neighbouring city of Vaughan in Ontario, Canada, operated by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). The subway system is a rail network consisting of three heavy-capacity rail lines operating predominantly underground. As of December 2024, three new lines are under construction: two light rail lines and one heavy rail line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Line 2 Bloor–Danforth</span> Rapid transit line in Toronto, Ontario

Line 2 Bloor–Danforth is a rapid transit line in the Toronto subway system, operated by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). It has 31 stations and is 26.2 kilometres (16.3 mi) in length. It opened on February 26, 1966, and extensions at both ends were completed in 1968 and again in 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Line 1 Yonge–University</span> Rapid transit line in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario

Line 1 Yonge–University is a rapid transit line of the Toronto subway. It serves Toronto and the neighbouring city of Vaughan in Ontario, Canada. It is operated by the Toronto Transit Commission, has 38 stations and is 38.4 km (23.9 mi) in length, making it the longest line on the subway system. It opened as the "Yonge subway" in 1954 as Canada's first underground passenger rail line and was extended multiple times between 1963 and 2017. As of 2010, Line 1 was the busiest rapid transit line in Canada, and one of the busiest lines in North America. In 2022, it averaged over 670,000 riders per weekday.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McCowan station</span> Toronto subway station

McCowan was a terminal station on Line 3 Scarborough of the Toronto subway. The closed station is located at 1275 McCowan Road, just north of Ellesmere Road at Bushby Drive/Town Centre Court.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toronto streetcar system</span> Streetcar network in Ontario, Canada

The Toronto streetcar system is a network of eleven streetcar routes in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, operated by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). It is the third busiest light-rail system in North America. The network is concentrated primarily in Downtown Toronto and in proximity to the city's waterfront. 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 used low-floor streetcars, making it fully accessible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toronto Transit Commission bus system</span> Bus system serving the Greater Toronto Area in Ontario, Canada

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) uses buses and other vehicles for public transportation. In 2018, the TTC bus system had 159 bus routes carrying over 264 million riders over 6,686 kilometres (4,154 mi) of routes with buses travelling 143 million kilometres in the year. As of 2021, the TTC has 192 bus routes in operation, including 28 night bus routes. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 362,041,400, or about 1,179,700 per weekday as of the third quarter of 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Toronto Transit Commission</span>

The history of public transportation in Toronto in Canada dates back to the middle 19th century under many different private companies, organizations and owners, which were all later unified as a single government-run entity during the 1920s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toronto Transit Commission fares</span>

Fares to use the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) transit system in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, can be paid with various media. The price of fares varies according to age, occupation, income level, and health condition of riders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">504 King</span> Streetcar route in Toronto, Canada

504 King is an east–west Toronto streetcar route in Ontario, Canada. It serves King Street in Downtown Toronto as well as Broadview Avenue on the east end and Roncesvalles Avenue on the west end of the line. The route consists of two overlapping branches: 504A between Line 2 Bloor–Danforth's Dundas West station and Distillery Loop, and 504B between Broadview station – also on Line 2 – and Dufferin Gate Loop. The two branches overlap on King Street between Dufferin and Sumach streets, both passing St. Andrew station and King station on subway Line 1 Yonge–University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue Night Network</span> Overnight public transit service in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The Blue Night Network is the overnight public transit service operated by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The network consists of a basic grid of 27 bus and 7 streetcar routes, distributed so that almost all of the city is within 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) of at least one route. It is the largest and most frequent overnight network in North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Downsview Park station</span> Toronto subway station

Downsview Park is a rapid transit station on Line 1 Yonge–University of the Toronto subway and a commuter rail station on the Barrie commuter rail line of GO Transit. Subway service began on December 17, 2017, and GO Train service began on December 30, 2017. Downsview Park station is a fully integrated multi-modal transit facility serving both transit lines. This is in contrast to other interchanges between TTC subway and GO Transit rail lines, which have separate structures for each agency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">York University station</span> Toronto subway station

York University is a subway station on Line 1 Yonge–University of the Toronto subway. It is located on the main Keele Campus of York University, near Ian Macdonald and York Boulevards in the former city of North York. It opened in 2017, as part of the extension of the subway to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Highway 407 station</span> Toronto subway station

Highway 407 is a Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) subway station on Line 1 Yonge–University of the Toronto subway. It is located at the southwest quadrant of the Jane Street and Highway 407 interchange, in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. Opened on December 17, 2017, it is one of two Toronto subway stations that are outside the city of Toronto, the other being Vaughan Metropolitan Centre station.

Accessibility for people with disabilities on the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) system is incomplete but improving. Most of the Toronto subway system was built before wheelchair access was a requirement under the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA). However, all subway stations built since 1996 are equipped with elevators, and elevators have been installed in 45 stations built before 1996. Over three-quarters of Toronto's subway stations are accessible. The original plan was to make all stations accessible by 2025; however, a few stations might not be accessible until 2026.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flexity Outlook (Toronto)</span> Toronto streetcar model operated by the TTC

The Flexity Outlook is the latest model of streetcar in the rolling stock of the Toronto streetcar system owned by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). Based on the Bombardier Flexity, they were first ordered in 2009 and were built by Bombardier Transportation in Thunder Bay and Kingston, Ontario, with specific modifications for Toronto, such as unidirectional operation and the ability to operate on the unique broad Toronto gauge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toronto streetcar system rolling stock</span>

In 1921, the Toronto Transportation Commission (TTC) was created to integrate and operate the Toronto streetcar system. The system has had numerous different rolling stock throughout its history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King Street Transit Priority Corridor</span> Transit mall in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The King Street Transit Priority Corridor is a transit mall located along King Street between Jarvis and Bathurst Streets in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It passes by two subway stations on Line 1 Yonge–University. The corridor was created by the King Street Pilot Project to improve streetcar reliability on downtown King Street. The corridor went into operation on November 12, 2017, and was made permanent by City Council on April 16, 2019. The corridor is 2.6 km (1.6 mi) long and spans 18 street intersections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public transport</span> Effects of COVID-19 viral outbreak on public transport

The COVID-19 pandemic had a large impact on public transport. Many countries advised that public transport should only be used when essential; passenger numbers fell drastically, and services were reduced. Provision of a reasonable service for the much smaller number of fare-paying passengers incurred large financial losses.

References

  1. Bow, James (February 16, 2011). "The Gloucester Series Cars (1954–1990) – Transit Toronto – Content". Transit Toronto. Retrieved February 19, 2012.
  2. "The Toronto transit strike that lasted for 23 days". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  3. "Toronto Transit Commission Annual Report 1975" (PDF). Toronto Transit Commission. 1975.
  4. Brait, Ellen (January 4, 2017). "Why part of TTC's St. Patrick station is still sealed off after 1975 murder". Toronto Star . Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  5. "Frequently Asked Questions about Toronto's Subway and the Scarborough RT". Transit Toronto. April 12, 2020. Archived from the original on August 27, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  6. Bateman, Chris (September 21, 2013). "Remembering the deadliest transit disaster in Toronto". blogTO. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  7. Bow, James; Lubinski, Robert (February 16, 2011). "The Camshaft Control Hawkers (Series H1, H2, H3 and H4) – Transit Toronto – Content". Transit Toronto. Retrieved February 19, 2012.
  8. Brader, Mark (January 10, 2008). "An Essay on Original Subway Station Design – Transit Toronto – Content". Transit Toronto. Retrieved February 19, 2012.
  9. McParland, Kelly (September 23, 1982). "TTC death needless, inquiry told". Toronto Star. p. B9.
  10. "Births, Deaths, Memorials". Toronto Star. June 2, 1982. p. C6.
  11. "Kinkead found guilty". CBC. July 1, 1999. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
  12. "Man pushed on to subway tracks at College station". Owen Sound Sun Times. April 23, 2015.
  13. "Toronto's News: CityNews Rewind: Woman Pushed To Her Death In Random Subway Attack". CityNews.ca. May 21, 2008. Archived from the original on March 22, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2009.
  14. Pagliaro, Jennifer (March 22, 2022). "Toronto wasn't ready for January's blizzard — and still isn't, says city report". Toronto Star .
  15. "Winter Action Plan (2008)" (PDF). Toronto Transit Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 27, 2011. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
  16. "Content: Subway Fire and Shuttle Buses". Transit Toronto. Retrieved March 25, 2009.
  17. "TTC Commission Meetings". Toronto Transit Commission. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  18. "Toronto Baby Born On Subway Celebrates First Birthday". citynews.ca. February 3, 2007. Archived from the original on February 17, 2015.
  19. "The TTC is ending the sale of transit tokens for good — but they'll still accept them". Toronto Star . March 23, 2023.
  20. "CityNews: Part of Subway Likely to Stay Closed Until Tuesday After Fatal Accident". Citynews.ca. April 23, 2007. Archived from the original on January 8, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2009.
  21. Peat, Don (November 24, 2008). "Service over safety: TTC employees". Toronto Sun. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2009.
  22. Gray, Jeff. "National". globeandmail.com. Toronto. Archived from the original on January 16, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2009.
  23. Toronto TTC bus accident leaves woman dead, several injured (Includes interview). Digitaljournal.com (August 30, 2011). Retrieved on July 26, 2013.
  24. McKnight, Zoe (August 31, 2011). "One dead, 11 injured in TTC bus crash". thestar.com. Toronto. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  25. "Toronto transit bus crash kills 1, injures 11". CTV Ottawa. August 30, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  26. "One woman dead, 11 injured in TTC bus crash". CP24. August 30, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  27. "TTC driver charged in fatal crash". CBC News. October 12, 2011.
  28. "TTC justified in firing employee who stole to feed a drug addiction: arbitrator". Global Toronto. August 18, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2012.
  29. "TTC bus driver facing charges in fatal crash". Global Toronto. October 12, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2012.
  30. "Two transported to hospital after TTC bus collides with building". CTV News. July 22, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  31. "Two people injured after TTC bus hits building". CP24. July 22, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  32. Poisson, Jayme; Dempsey, Amy (September 12, 2012). "Danzig St.: Police link Scarborough barbecue deaths with Galloway Boys gang war". Toronto Star. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  33. Smith Cross, Jessica (September 11, 2012). "Innocent man mistaken for Galloway Boys target shot dead: Police". Metro News. Toronto. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
  34. "Subway resumes after TTC worker killed by train". The Toronto Star. September 14, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  35. Hasham, Alyshah (January 25, 2016). "Toronto police officer found not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter after firing two volleys of shots at knife-wielding 18-year-old in empty streetcar". Toronto Star . ISSN   0319-0781 . Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  36. "Toronto crash leaves bus passenger dead, at least 12 hurt". CBC News.
  37. "'Catastrophic' ice storm blankets GTA". CP24 . December 22, 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2013.
  38. "Video of TTC officers punching men during arrest posted to Facebook". CTV News. March 31, 2015.
  39. Kalinowski, Tess; Gillis, Wendy (April 1, 2015). "TTC ask Toronto police to investigate violent incident". Toronto Star.
  40. "TTC, 2 transit officers sued for $4M in violent Union Station confrontation". Global News.
  41. "Subway shutdown was caused by defective switch". CP24 . June 8, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  42. "1st-degree murder charge laid in death of man struck at Bloor-Yonge subway station". CBC News. June 18, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  43. Spurr, Ben (June 4, 2021). "'It's a miracle': How two TTC subway trains came within seconds of a disastrous collision". Toronto Star . Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  44. Spurr, Ben (October 30, 2021). "Ransomware attack on TTC shuts down vital communication systems". Toronto Star .
  45. Spurr, Ben (November 8, 2021). "Personal info of 25,000 current and former TTC employees may have been stolen in cyber attack, agency says". Toronto Star .
  46. "CEO's Report January 2022" (PDF). Toronto Transit Commission. p. 4,5. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 24, 2022.
  47. Iqbal, Maria (February 2, 2022). "TTC closes Scarborough Line 3 as Toronto hit by winter storm". Toronto Star .
  48. Moore, Oliver (January 17, 2022). "Major snowstorm hits southern Ontario, shutting down highways, COVID-19 vaccination clinics and schools". The Globe and Mail .
  49. "Another snow day for Toronto schools, Prairie provinces brace for more storms". The Globe and Mail . January 18, 2022.
  50. "CityNews". toronto.citynews.ca. July 25, 2023.
  51. "Scarborough RT officially shut down: TTC". CBC News. August 24, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  52. "TTC CEO says further transit closures possible after derailment of ageing SRT". Toronto Star . September 26, 2023.
  53. Spurr, Ben (March 23, 2020). "TTC says it's losing about $18 million a week in fares, will need bailout over COVID-19 ridership crash". Toronto Star . Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  54. 1 2 3 4 5 "Coronavirus update". Toronto Transit Commission. Archived from the original on May 25, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  55. Spurr, Ben (April 23, 2020). "TTC announces temporary layoffs of 1,200 workers". Toronto Star . Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  56. 1 2 "TTC service changes". Toronto Transit Commission. May 10, 2020. Archived from the original on May 5, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  57. 1 2 Spurr, Ben (May 5, 2020). "What to expect from historic TTC service cuts coming next week over the COVID-19 crisis". Toronto Star . Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  58. "Bingham Loop". Toronto Transit Commission. May 10, 2020. Archived from the original on May 10, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  59. Munro, Steve (May 3, 2020). "TTC responds to coronavirus with historic service cuts". Now . Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  60. "TTC implements next phase of cost-savings amidst COVID-19 pandemic". Toronto Transit Commission. May 24, 2020. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  61. Elpa, Ann Marie (November 30, 2020). "TTC takes advantage of low ridership, closing portion of Line 1 for signal upgrades from Dec. 4 to 14". Toronto Star . Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  62. "TTC to close portion of Line 1 for 10 days to speed up ATC installation". Toronto Transit Commission. November 30, 2020. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  63. Spurr, Ben (March 2, 2021). "TTC drivers want support for homeless riding transit during COVID-19 crisis". Toronto Star . Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  64. "TTC to close portion of Line 1 for 10 days to accelerate state-of-good-repair work". Toronto Transit Commission. March 10, 2021. Archived from the original on March 12, 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  65. "TTC to close portion of Line 1 for 10 days to accelerate system improvements". Toronto Transit Commission. April 9, 2021. Archived from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  66. "TTC to complete vital tunnel upgrades and asbestos removal on Line 1 between St George and St Andrew stations". Toronto Transit Commission. May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  67. "TTC to close portion of Line 1 for 10 days to accelerate system improvements". Toronto Transit Commission. April 23, 2021. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  68. Spurr, Ben (March 27, 2020). "Some Toronto bus routes still crowded despite COVID-19. What about social distancing?". Toronto Star . Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  69. Spurr, Ben (April 2, 2020). "'What are they supposed to do?': TTC drivers say closed bathrooms leave them with no places to go amid COVID-19". Toronto Star . Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  70. "Coronavirus update". TTC. April 20, 2020. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020.
  71. Spurr, Ben (March 18, 2020). "TTC lifts ban on worker face masks, allows all-door boarding on buses to enhance social distancing". Toronto Star . Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  72. 1 2 Munro, Steve (April 17, 2020). "Coronavirus: Strike ups pressure on TTC to protect drivers". Now . Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  73. Alozzi, Raneem (April 21, 2020). "Decommissioned TTC buses to be used by Toronto paramedics". Toronto Star . Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  74. "Editorial – Board Period Service Changes". The Coupler. Toronto Transit Commission. September 2020. Archived from the original on October 11, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  75. Munro, Steve (April 17, 2020). "Transit Workers Deserve Protection". Steve Munro . Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  76. 1 2 Spurr, Ben (July 2, 2020). "More riders, less distancing and a $195 fine for no mask: The TTC's next recovery phase starts Thursday". Toronto Star . Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  77. "COVID-19: Staying safe on public transit". Toronto Transit Commission. July 2, 2020. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  78. Spurr, Ben (July 10, 2020). "Nine in 10 riders wearing masks despite lack of enforcement, says TTC". Toronto Star . Retrieved July 12, 2020.
  79. 1 2 "CEO's Report August 2020" (PDF). Toronto Transit Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 23, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  80. 1 2 Spurr, Ben (September 16, 2020). "TTC imposes stricter mask rule for employees, saying workers failed to observe social distancing". Toronto Star . Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  81. "TTC selects vending company to install PPE machines in busiest stations". Toronto Transit Commission. November 13, 2020. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  82. "Seasonal service changes and improvements". Toronto Transit Commission. June 18, 2020. Archived from the original on June 20, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  83. Spurr, Ben (August 12, 2020). "The TTC will get $400 million emergency bailout, province says". Toronto Star . Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  84. Spurr, Ben (August 17, 2020). "As condition of COVID-19 bailout, Ontario asks TTC and others to consider private 'microtransit' in place of little-used bus routes". Toronto Star . Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  85. "???". Toronto Transit Commission. August 27, 2020. Archived from the original on August 28, 2020. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  86. "TTC recalls 132 more unionized employees to plan for a potential increase in ridership". Toronto Transit Commission. September 17, 2020. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  87. Spurr, Ben (October 15, 2020). "TTC recalls remaining employees it furloughed earlier in COVID-19 pandemic". Toronto Star . Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  88. 1 2 "TTC service changes". Toronto Transit Commission. Archived from the original on October 5, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  89. Spurr, Ben (October 6, 2020). "TTC rolls out new bus-only lanes. Here's what you need to know". Toronto Star . Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  90. "TTC service changes". Toronto Transit Commission. November 22, 2020. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  91. "TTC to cut service on some routes starting Nov. 21 when COVID-19 vaccine policy takes effect". CBC News . November 16, 2021.
  92. Spurr, Ben (November 16, 2021). "TTC riders can expect longer subway waits, cuts to bus routes starting next week". Toronto Star .
  93. "TTC service changes Effective November 21, 2021". Toronto Transit Commission. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  94. Spurr, Ben (December 12, 2021). "The TTC plans to keep fares frozen in 2022 and return service to pre-pandemic levels". Toronto Star .
  95. Spurr, Ben (January 7, 2022). "TTC fires more than 350 employees over COVID-19 vaccine mandate". Toronto Star .
  96. Quansah, Lloyd (February 9, 2022). "TTC plans to restore service to pre-pandemic levels on multiple routes". Toronto Star .
  97. "TTC ramping up service ahead of back-to-school". Toronto Star . August 30, 2022.
  98. "TTC service adjustments". Toronto Transit Commission. Archived from the original on September 4, 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  99. "CEO's Report October 2020" (PDF). Toronto Transit Commission. October 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 16, 2022.
  100. "TTC offers to rehire hundreds of employees fired for refusing COVID-19 vaccine". Toronto Star . November 17, 2022.
  101. "Poorer areas of Toronto hit hardest by TTC cuts, study finds". Toronto Star . March 23, 2023.
  102. Spurr, Ben (March 19, 2020). "TTC closes bus garage after worker tests positive for COVID-19". Toronto Star . Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  103. McGran, Kevin (April 23, 2020). "About 70 TTC staff told to self-isolate after outbreak at Queensway garage". Toronto Star . Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  104. Spurr, Ben (June 18, 2020). "COVID-19 and transit: What we think we know may be wrong". Toronto Star . Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  105. 1 2 "Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario orders TTC to release suicide statistics". Toronto Transit Commission. November 26, 2009. Archived from the original on November 29, 2009.
  106. "TTC talks suicide in secret". The Toronto Sun.
  107. "TTC copes with death by subway". The Toronto Sun. November 27, 2009.
  108. "Blood on the tracks". The National Post. November 27, 2009.[ permanent dead link ]
  109. "Subway Suicide Prevention" (PDF). Toronto Transit Commission. February 17, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 22, 2012.
  110. Casey, Liam (November 12, 2014). "Subway Suicides and the Case for Platform Barriers on the TTC". torontoist.com. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  111. "Suicides decrease on Toronto subway platforms in 2015". CBC News. January 13, 2016. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  112. "Stay off the tracks". ttc.ca. Archived from the original on February 7, 2019.
  113. O'Neil, Lauren (January 2, 2017). "Another car got stuck inside the TTC's Queens Quay tunnel". blogTO. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  114. Rizza, Alanna (March 11, 2018). "Car drives into Queens Quay streetcar tunnel – again". Toronto Star. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  115. "TTC unveils $61,000 gates at Queens Quay tunnel to stop confused motorists from entering". Toronto Star. October 5, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2018.