Extreme cold to affect TTC afternoon rush hour streetcar service

The Toronto Transit Commission is advising that today’s extreme cold weather will impact streetcar service for this afternoon’s rush hour. The 502 Downtowner and 503 Kingston Rd routes will be replaced by 13 buses to free up streetcars for TTC’s busier routes, as 25 streetcars are unable to go into service due to extreme cold.

Replacing the 502 Downtowner and 503 Kingston Rd routes with buses frees up 13 streetcars to go into service elsewhere in the network. Additional buses will also be used to supplement streetcar routes where necessary. The TTC normally operates about 200 streetcars during peak afternoon service.
Even with supplemental bus service, the afternoon commute will take longer than usual. Customers should use nextbus.com to see when their next streetcar or bus is due to arrive at their stop.

The aging streetcar fleet and related equipment – over 30 years in many cases – do not respond well to extreme cold. Moisture build-up in the pneumatic air lines that provide braking and door operation can freeze, causing a streetcar to be taken out of service. Crews will work overnight to prepare morning’s service, and buses will be on standby.