Nearly 40 TTC routes changed over the weekend. Here’s what you need to know:
TTC riders may have to wait a bit longer for a bus, streetcar or subway starting Sunday.
A total of 39 routes—including one streetcar, two subway and 36 bus routes—will be impacted by service changes as a result of lower pandemic ridership. This represents about 20 per cent of all TTC service across the city.
The majority of the routes impacted operate in the daytime, including the Bloor-Danforth and Sheppard subway lines.
According to transit agency, 52 per cent of the schedule changes will result in a longer wait time of up to three minutes while eight per cent of the changes will lead to wait times between three and 11 minutes.
The TTC says that 66 per cent of the changes will include a “service reliability improvement,” which will make service more predictable.
Another 18 per cent of changes will result in shorter wait times, officials said.
The plan would see transit service set to 91 per cent of pre-COVID levels. At the time it was proposed, ridership had reached 70 per cent of pre-COVID levels.
The TTC noted in a statement Sunday that about 26 per cent of the scheduled changes will have no impact on wait time.
“We absolutely understand that our customers want reliable and frequent service, which is why we’ve committed to protecting service on the busiest routes at the busiest times of day, particularly in priority neighbourhoods where we know people are more reliant on transit,” the agency said.
However, a recently released report by Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) has found that these service cuts will disproportionately impact marginalized communities.
The researchers found that more than 80 per cent of the routes set to be impacted move through neighbourhoods with higher poverty rates, numbers of immigrants and unemployment rates.
They found that 38 of the 39 routes will see a 10 per cent or more reduction or a complete route suspension that would lead to longer wait times.
A map of how TTC service reductions will impact neighbourhoods throughout Toronto. (Toronto Metropolitan University/Transform Lab)
The TTC anticipates the changes will result in reduced operating costs of just over $50 million, a little less than the additional subsidy they received in the city’s 2023 budget.
The next round of service changes are anticipated in May, and is expected to see operational costs reduced by another $46.5 million.
A full list of affected routes are below:
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada's 'unprecedented' fire season linked to climate change, will be the new normal: scientists
At the moment, wildfires are burning across six provinces and one territory in Canada — and they’re still spreading in what’s being called an unprecedented fire season. While firefighters work tirelessly to battle the merciless flames and prevent further destruction, scientists say the wildfires are linked to climate change and that this will be the new normal.

Trudeau raises Poland's democratic backsliding as prime minister visits Toronto
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he raised concerns about reports that LGBTQ2S+ rights and democracy are under threat in Poland during a Friday visit with its prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, in Toronto.
Air Canada says to expect further travel disruptions following Thursday's IT issues
Air Canada says travellers should be prepared for further flight disruptions as it works to return service to normal following a technical malfunction Thursday.
'Torch has been passed': What younger generations need to know about inheriting a family cottage
As more Canadians pass their family cottages down to the next generation, 'major shifts' in the ownership of recreational homes will occur, according to Re/Max. But amid concerns around the cost of housing, some may be wondering whether they can afford to keep that family cottage. Here's what younger generations need to know about inheriting a recreational property and the market today.
'Utterly disgusting': Canadian Army sergeant fined for 'anti-Jewish' comments
A 38-year-old sergeant in the Canadian Army was fined $3,000 and issued a severe reprimand after he made what a military judge described as 'utterly disgusting' anti-Jewish comments while conducting an infantry training course in 2021.
Poilievre tries to head off PPC vote as Bernier bets on social conservatives
Pierre Poilievre is off to Manitoba to rally Conservative supporters ahead of a byelection that Maxime Bernier is hoping will send him back to Parliament. The far-right People's Party of Canada leader lost his Quebec seat in the 2019 federal vote and lost again in the 2021 election.
Experts warn of 'rapid' growth of IBD as number of Canadians diagnosed set to reach 470K by 2035
The number of people in Canada with inflammatory bowel disease is increasing rapidly and is expected to grow to 470,000 by 2035, according to a new report from Crohn's and Colitis Canada.
Trudeau continues to stand by David Johnston despite calls that he step down
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is committed to keeping David Johnston in place as Canada's special rapporteur on foreign interference, despite a majority of MPs voting in favour of his stepping down from the gig.
Camping during fire season? Here's some things you should know
With dry conditions preventing people from having campfires across the country, some may wonder what they can bring into a campground or if there are alternatives to the traditional flames.