TTC changes amid COVID-19 crisis

Effective today, and being implemented over the next 24 hours, the TTC is kindly asking its bus customers to board and exit from the rear doors only, unless the accessible ramp needs to be deployed, as fare boxes will not be accessible. This change, made in consultation with ATU Local 113, allows for greater social distancing while minimizing potential contact with operators. TTC operators have also been instructed to keep their protective barriers closed at all times.

Last week, operators stopped handing out paper transfers to bus customers paying by cash, tickets or tokens. The TTC will no longer be accepting payment by cash, tickets or tokens on TTC buses (including Wheel-Trans) starting on March 24. Customers are asked to pay using PRESTO where available.

“This move is being made to prioritize the health and safety of our employees and customers,” said TTC CEO Rick Leary. “We continue to focus on physical distancing, social equity and ensuring we match capacity to demand.”

The TTC continues to take direction and follow the sound advice from Toronto Public Health regarding what precautions and controls should be implemented to protect the well-being of our customers and employees.

With more than 90 per cent of riders now using PRESTO, customers are still required to tap their PRESTO card and PRESTO ticket when boarding a vehicle or entering a station.

The TTC is closely monitoring ridership and service trends daily across all modes, and reviewing staffing and resources in order to effectively match service delivery with availability.

Over the past week, daily PRESTO taps indicated ridership declined by more than 70 per cent as compared to a typical early March weekday. While the TTC continues to move a substantial number of people across the system each day, customer travel patterns are changing and ridership is declining.

As a result, the following service changes are affected:

• All 900-series Express routes are reallocated as needed, except for 900 Airport Express, 903 Kennedy-Scarborough Centre Express and 927 Highway 27 Express.
• All 140-series Downtown Express routes are reallocated as where needed.
• 176 Mimico GO and 508 Lake Shore service is reallocated as needed.

Regular bus services will continue to run along Express routes that are suspended, with the majority of service operating every 10 minutes or better. All neighbourhoods continue to be served and additional buses will be operated where and when required.

The service changes will be reflected on public facing applications (e.g. NextBus, Triplinx, etc.) in the week ahead. Please expect some prediction irregularity to occur while updates are being implemented.

The deadline for PRESTO card customers to cancel their Autorenew or 12 Month Pass for April, has been extended until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 27. Customers wishing to cancel their Autorenew or 12 Month Pass, should visit prestocard.ca and log into their My PRESTO Account. Anyone who wants to re-sign up for Autorenew or a 12 Month Pass can do so during the pass sales window, which is available from the last 12 days of the month until eight days after the next month.

For the complete list of 900 Express and 140 Downtown Express routes please see the Routes page.

For more information on TTC Routes, Schedules and Fares, please call 416-393-INFO (4636) or TTY Line at 416-481-2523.

The TTC is committed to keeping customers informed about work and events that impact service and about alternative routes. For the most up-to-date information, follow @TTCNotices on Twitter or sign up for eAlerts.