TTC announces winter readiness plan to ensure safety reliability

The TTC has announced details of its winter readiness plan, as the transit agency gears up to ensure employees and customers are safe, and its services are accessible and reliable throughout the season. During snowfall and winter storm events, the TTC urges motorists to leave their cars at home and take transit.

“Thank you to all the TTC employees who will be out there, braving the elements to ensure riders can safely get to and from their destinations this winter,” said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.  “With a comprehensive winter readiness plan in place, I am confident that the TTC is ready to handle any winter weather challenges this season, and to keep Toronto moving.”

“The dedication and hard work of TTC employees, combined with strategic planning and proactive measures, will ensure that the city’s transit system continues to operate safely and reliably in the face of winter weather challenges,” said TTC Chair Jamaal Myers. “My message to motorists is to leave their cars at home during snowfall and winter storms, and instead opt for public transit to help reduce traffic congestion and keep the roads safe.”

“Our singular priority this winter is safety. Safety for the TTC’s 17,000 employees and the millions of customers who rely on us to get around the city,” said TTC CEO Greg Percy. “Safety and operational reliability go hand in hand, and we are committed to upholding the highest standards in both areas. The TTC is ready to ensure Toronto stays on the move this winter.”

Measures to ensure service continuity during winter storms include:

• Adding extra staff and vehicles.
  
  
• Running overnight storm trains and streetcars to keep the power rail and tracks clear of snow and ice.
  
  
• Storing subway trains in tunnels to avoid potential snow blockages at rail yards.
  
  
• Spraying anti-icing on the entire streetcar overhead network, as well as on the ground at all bus, streetcar, and subway divisions, to ensure our vehicles can operate safely.
  
  
• Adjusting service so express bus routes (except the 900 Airport Express and 927 Highway 27 Express) serve all stops to ensure customers do not have to wait for a local bus.
  
  
• Communicating with the City of Toronto’s transportation team to ensure crews know where extra plowing or salting on transit routes is needed.
  
  
• Frequent social media and web updates to keep customers informed.
  
  
• Alerting Wheel-Trans customers when a severe weather advisory is declared and permitting customers to cancel their booked trips without deducting ‘Life Happens’ points.

The TTC has also identified 56 bus stops where conditions can become hazardous during storms with significant snowfall or freezing rain. Winter weather information signs are installed at these stops to provide valuable information to customers, including details about service disruptions and the location of the nearest in-service bus stop. By scanning a QR code on the signs, customers can easily check if their bus stop is affected by severe weather conditions.

The TTC is committed to providing a safe and reliable service in extreme weather, but road conditions can impact operations. For more information about the TTC winter readiness, including a list of bus stops with new Winter Weather Information signs, customers can visit: https://www.ttc.ca/riding-the-ttc/Updates/Service-changes-in-the-event-of-winter-weather.

Customers are advised to follow @TTCNotices on X or check ttc.ca for updates, and to allow extra travel time in the event of bad weather.