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Toronto Transit Commission Toronto Transit Commission, or TTC, is a public transportation authority that operates buses, streetcars, and subway lines in Toronto, Ontario. At one time it operated trolley buses, but it ceased those operations in 1993. Overview The TTC operates one of the most extensive urban mass transit systems in North America. As of 2004, there are four rapid transit lines (three subways and one light rail metro line; see Toronto Subway and RT), with a total of 69 stations, as well as 149 connecting "surface" routes (buses and streetcars). The average daily ridership exceeds 1.3 million passengers. The TTC also provides door-to-door services for persons with disabilities. Colloquially, the streetcars are known as "red rockets"; hence the use of "Ride the Rocket" in advertising material for the TTC (which uses the phrase to advertise the entire system), and the use of the word "Rocket" in the names of some express buses. The entire system is also promoted as "The Better Way". History Although the TTC began operations in 1927, transit services in Toronto began in 1849. See more at: Toronto Transit History Fares The TTC fare system accepts cash, tickets, tokens and transit passes. See more at: Toronto Transit Commission Fares Subway System The Toronto subway system consists of the Yonge-University-Spadina Line, a U-shaped line starting in 1954 and last changed in 1996; Bloor-Danforth Line an east-west line starting in 1966 and last changed in 1980; Sheppard Line completed in 2002 and the only line running entirely underground; Scarborough RT completed in 1985 and though it runs primarily above ground, and uses shorter trains based on highly different technology, is still essentially similar in operation to the other lines, and is depicted on the same Subway & RT maps and included in the same level of administration. See Eglinton West Subway Line For more see: Toronto Subway and RT'' Streetcar System Toronto's streetcar system is one of few systems still operating in North America, with most operators in Europe. The routes are found mostly in the downtown area, none running further north than St. Clair Avenue, about 5 km from the waterfront. See more at : Toronto Streetcar System Buses and Trolley Buses Buses are a large part of the TTC operations today, but before 1960s they played a minor role compared to streetcar operations. See more at: Toronto Buses and Trolley Buses Gray Coach Gray Coach Lines was suburban bus operator founded in 1927 by the Toronto Transit Commission. Gray Coach used inter-urban coaches to link Toronto to outlying areas throughout Southern Ontario. In addition, Gray Coach operated tour bus operations in association with Gray Line tours. The main terminal was at the Toronto Bus Terminal on Elizabeth Street, downtown. In 1954 Gray Coach expanded further when it acquired suburban routes from independant bus operators not mergered with TTC bus routes following the creation of Metro Toronto. By 1980s, Gray Coach faced fierce competition in the inter-urban service in the GTA and the TTC was forced to sell in 1989 to British carrier '''Stage-Coach Holdings Ltd and again in 1991 to Greyhound Lines of Canada and Ontario Northland. See more at: Toronto Interurban Buses - Gray Coach Accessible Services The TTC also runs WheelTrans, a para-transit service for the physically disabled with special buses designed to accommodate wheelchairs. Since the 1990s, the TTC has focused in providing assessible services on buses, RT and subway operations. See more at: Toronto Assessible Transit Services Ferry Service The TTC had once operated the ferry service from Toronto Island. Starting from 1927 to 1954 when it was transferred to Metro Parks (now Toronto Parks). See more at: Toronto Island Ferry Services TTC Operations and Other Information See more at: TTC Operations References - The TTC Story by Mike Filey
- Not A One Horse Town by Mike Filey
- Reflections & Recollections Transfer Points January 2005
- Independants Take Over - TTC Goes Metro Wide Transfer Points August-September 2004
- Toronto Transit Commission Goes Metro Wide Transfer Point December 2004
- TTC Archives
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