For a second day, the extreme cold has caused problems for the TTC's streetcar service.
During the morning commute Tuesday, 50 of the TTC's 200 streetcars were pulled out of service due to the cold temperatures hobbling both the pneumatic air systems that run their brakes and doors, as well as the track switches.
"We supplemented those with buses although we were having trouble with our buses in this cold as well. It was certainly tough out there," TTC chief customer officer Chris Upfold told CTV Toronto.
In her remarks to reporters Tuesday morning, TTC chair Karen Stintz offered assurances to commuters inconvenienced by the service disruption.
"There's no question that we take it very seriously because people who rely on transit and are out waiting in the cold are feeling hardship in ways that other people aren't if they're in their cars. So we take that very seriously, and certainly, there's lessons that we learn from every experience."
Stintz's comments came the same morning she toured the TTC transit control system, with Toronto Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly, to assess the system's ice storm response.
"We've been singing the praises of the workers on the street for about a week or so, and I think now it's time to pay attention to the unsung heroes," Kelly told reporters, referring to the transit system employees who have been working around-the-clock, under emergency conditions since last month's ice storm.
With more frigid temperatures in the forecast for Wednesday, the TTC says it is already taking measures to keep switches from freezing, and keep the streetcars on track.
With files from CTV Toronto's Natalie Johnson
