TTC sets pandemic record for weekly ridership as workers start to return to core
The TTC set a new pandemic record for overall ridership last month as customers returned to the system in droves following the lifting of many public health restrictions.
A new report that will go before the TTC board today reveals that there were a total of 1.69 million rides taken on the TTC during the week ending April 1.
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
That is the highest number of boardings in any single week since March 2020, however it still only represents about 53 per cent of the pre-pandemic norm.
“With the sixth wave of the pandemic and the winding down of post-secondary classes, ridership growth flattened temporarily in April. However, commuter return-to-office is increasing, with downtown office occupancy expected to reach 30 per cent by the end of May. This, coupled with special events returning to the city, should boost transit demand as the summer approaches,” TTC CEO Rick Leary said in the report.
At the height of the first wave of the pandemic in the spring of 2020, TTC ridership plunged to between 15 and 20 per cent of the pre-pandemic norm as businesses were shut down and many employers implemented work from home policies.
Since then ridership has been gradually increasing, though it did briefly drop in January following the detection of the Omicron variant.
The report going before the board today reveals that ridership has now increased by 25 per cent since February. It also points out the fare revenue in the most recent five-week period was actually 50.9 per cent above the estimate contained in the TTC’s revised budget, passed this winter.
“The 2022 Board-approved revenue budget was revised through the city’s 2022 budget process to account for the Omicron impact, decreasing the 2022 passenger revenue by $104.9 million, from $845.9 million to $741 million,” the report stated. “In actual experience, the Omicron impact on revenue was limited to January, with February and March recovering to ridership revenue levels comparable with late Q4 2021 experience, given the effects of the Omicron variant were not as widespread as originally considered.”
The TTC says that ridership continues to vary depending on the mode of travel.
Subway ridership is still only at 45 per cent of the pre-pandemic norm but is up 30 per cent since the beginning of February as many office workers return to the core.
Bus ridership is now at 61 per cent of the pre-pandemic norm but has only increased 19 per cent since February.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.