Toronto Mayor John Tory is calling on the Toronto Transit Commission to begin subway service an hour earlier on Sundays.
At a news conference at city hall on Thursday morning, Tory discussed a recommendation to the TTC board that subway service begin at 8 a.m. on Sundays.
Subway service on weekdays and Saturdays begins at 6 a.m., but on Sundays, service begins at 9 a.m.
The mayor said the earlier start time is “practical step forward” for expanding subway service.
“My ultimate goal would be to have the subway open the same number of hours every day and to even extend those hours,” Tory said.
For years, riders challenged with getting to work, places of worship and other destinations, have complained about the later Sunday subway start time.
However, the TTC has always said that Sunday mornings offer a window for critical maintenance work. Other cities close their subways earlier at night to allow for maintenance, but Tory insists that that isn't a solution either.
TTC Chair Josh Colle, who joined Tory at the news conference, said, despite “operational constraints,” the expanded subway hours are necessary.
Tory said the extra hour of Sunday service would come at “modest cost” that is achievable within the context of the TTC budget next year.
A report recommending expanded Sunday service is expected at the TTC board later this month.
