The TTC is increasing service and improving reliability on many bus and streetcar routes starting in September. As part of the TTC's budgeted service improvements for 2015, several improvements will be introduced at off-peak times starting Sept. 6. More will follow in October and again in November.
These changes are the result of an unprecedented $95 million investment in transit this year from Toronto City Council.
More routes with all-day, every-day service
Service on the following routes will increase, operating all day, every day, making the TTC a more available, predictable and consistent travel option for a greater number of Torontonians. This represents a $5.5 million annual expenditure. There are now 121 bus routes with all-day, every-day service.
Ten-minute-or-better service network
Service increases on eight streetcar and bus routes will result in 10 minutes or better, all-day, every day service, at a cost of $11.3 million annually. Thirty-nine of the TTC's subway, streetcar, and bus routes will now have frequent service at all times. More routes will be added in October and November.
Reduced off-peak crowding
Improvements to the following bus and streetcar routes across the city, which will cost $9.9 million annually, will provide a noticeable improvement in service quality, resulting in shorter wait times, less crowding and a better chance for customers to get a seat. Service will be added to more routes in October and November.
Expanded Blue Night Network
In the largest expansion of TTC overnight service since the 1980s, 12 Blue Night Network overnight routes are being added or revised, bringing the total of overnight routes to 31. Ninety-nine per cent of Toronto residents now live within a 15-minute walk of overnight bus and streetcar service.
Other than the 300 Bloor-Danforth and 320 Yonge routes, which run frequently, these bus and streetcar routes provide service every 30 minutes, between approximately 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. (9 a.m. on Sundays). The improvements to the Blue Night Network cost $2.4 million annually. Improvements to six more routes will be made in October.
Many seasonal route and service changes that began in May and June will end after Labour Day.