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TTC - Toronto Transit Commision
Category: Hotels & Travel Transportation Public Transportation Public Transportation [Edit]
1900 Yonge StToronto, ON M4S 1Z1
Neighbourhood: Mount Pleasant and Davisville
67 reviews for TTC - Toronto Transit Commision
67 reviews in English
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Review from Edwin A.
3/20/2012 2 photos
The TTC is a necessary evil.
I have fond memories of my commutes on the Bathurst Street car to my annual pilgrimage to CNE, or taking the subway to my first job downtown, or attending school. It was the only way.
Later in my teens I got my license, started to drive and said the heck with the TTC and public transit.
When the traffic downtown is congested, usually when the weather warms up going into the city, it's a nightmare on the Don Valley Parking Lot so the only way to keep your sanity is to take the subway.
The fairs are constantly increasing, but from my experience the reliability nor the service areas have improved. I don't get anywhere I need to go any faster.
And anyone who has to stay on the train to the end of the line at Finch and Downsview Station always get the shaft because there's always constant delays to get into the station.
For safety, mind your own and don't stare. There's a lot of mental cases out there and violent people looking to start something.
It's a zoo of wild animals, all coming together in one place. I personally don't think it's safe especially for any ladies traveling by themselves at night. -
Review from Johnny H.
Toronto, ON
5/9/2012
If you ask me what the worst business in Toronto is, I would say TTC. It's a business based on necessity, and they have no competition. People have no choice but to continue using TTC no matter how dissatisfied they are. So TTC has little to no motivation to improve other than demanding higher salaries.
I don't care about how fast and reliable the service is (but then, TTC isn't near top of its class in terms of accuracy and problem-free travel). The employees don't seem to have basic respect for people. Everything is our fault, it is not their business, and it is because we are stupid?!?! I witnessed so many things that are beyond wrong and disgusting. I wonder how these people are not forced to see psychiatrists, let alone having crucial jobs of transporting people. I don't even take TTC often. Maybe several times a year. During my short use of TTC, I have nothing nice to say about it. I can list all of my unpleasant encounters, but I won't waste my time writing about these worthless people. Two things that need to be mentioned though. I once reported an assault taking place at a platform to a TTC employee. His response: "call the police then." Then he went back to staring at the wall.... Another incident involved me paying the fare in dimes. The employee was so raged by it, and he accused me of paying less. First, there were no people at the entrance other than me at that hour. Second, you saw me organizing and counting the dimes. Third, I am giving you money so you can make a living. Fourth, if you don't even have patience to spend 30 seconds on a customer, how are you going to raise a child? Fifth, if those 30 seconds are so precious to you, would you have done something meaningful with that time?
These two incidents happened in 2011. And I used TTC only twice that year.
Their strike makes me laugh. Get real. At least provide devoted service and consistent travel time, and then ask for better pays when you deserve it. I've used other transit systems all over the world, and TTC sets the standard for how not to run a public transit. Some of them are shockingly cheap, logical, high-tech and fast. Furthermore, services provided are much more diverse and expansive. Subway lines reach every single corner of the towns. Employees were so kind as well. Aren't you embarrassed yet, TTC? -
Review from Hoa N.
2/25/2012
I lived in a US city (Austin, TX the supposed Live Music Capital of the World) for 14 years. And hardly rode public transit there. Because it was pretty bad. Like seriously bad. You had to have a car. Or take a cab if you wanted a night out with drinks.
You all don't know how good you all have it.
I'm lucky to live near an east end subway stop and can walk there. I can walk there and then hop onto street cars or buses *without having to pay another fare*. The signs tell me when another vehicle is coming. And it is usually soon. And accurate!
At night I can ask for the bus to stop in between stops, really?!
Today with a group of three parents and five children, we saw the bus we wanted to grab--across the intersection from us--and waved madly at a driver to please wait for us. And he did. And when we got on he joked, I thought you were just waving hello!
har har
Toronto, I know it could be better (like more lines criss crossing the city as with the town of my childhood, Washington DC), but really, it's pretty dang good.
PS: You have cute tokens! -
Review from Sheila B.
Toronto, ON
5/14/2012
what do you need in the brains department to be a ttc driver? these guys are hillbilly hicks who need to step it up a notch. the ttc should have manners school for these assholes. I think they all live in trailer parks. My 15 year old daughter was threatened by a driver to take her $104 rip off metro pass because she didn't have her student card with her. She was at the bus stop with 50 kids from the high school in her uniform? wtf did he think she was an impersonator to get a $15 discount from the adult one to student. I hate unions they ruin civility.
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Review from Rachael T.
Toronto, ON
2/4/2012
When I say I've experienced better.. It is mainly because the hong kong mtr is stellar and even the new ttc subway cars will never come close to replicating their superior technology...
Excited to finally step into the brand new ttc car one day, I first noticed that the car was never ending. Three girls happily sung as they were able to stroll back and forth without be enclosed in a single car. Thats about the pluses I saw. The seats had the same red padding where when it rains or snows it will get damp, soggy, or smelly.... I can tell that the map is now lit up indicating exactly what station we are going to next but the piece of plastic looked extremely tacky and their effort to make the map to scale just looked extremely disproportional.
I know that the ttc is trying to make improvements but now sure where the light at the end of the tunnel is. The ttc does it's job but it is extremely temperamental and u. Ev know if you are going to be trapped underground due to maintenance, weather conditions etc. I've started taking the street car lately and it's not bad....but of course you can be expected to bump shoulders with the person next to you if you are traveling during rush hours.
I've also noticed lately that the streetcar drivers have been super strict... Requesting for student cards, double checking that you are not cheating on your transfer demanding that people move to the back. A lot of the time it is an honour system and there are people who try to take advantage of it but I think people are truthful for the most part.
One last thing. Please no more fare increases! -
Review from Laura C.
Toronto, ON
2/8/2012
Oh TTC, you do just get us where we need to go, but your archaic system needs to be updated. Not to mention the only way to deal with increased volumes since 1920s was to create more bus routes and a few subway lines. It's scary how the subway stations look exactly the same, while the populations has increased 10 fold.http://www.blogto.com/city/2011/10/the_ttc_ph otographs_of_eric_trussler/
I would say this is most apparent at Yonge and Bloor station which is long over due for a renovation to help better the flow of people. There's only ONE exit to transfer cars, and creates a bottleneck you don't want to be stuck in!
The narrow platforms downstairs also doesn't help.
Sure, we've got new subway cars, and although cleaner, probably runs better, and has some added perks like lights on a map, there's really no other improvement. What would be nice is if the cars were optimized to fit more people, as opposed to two seaters placed in the way of the centre aisle. Putting them off to the side take away 2 seats, but you could have at least 4 more people in the car.
What I do like is the long continuous car, so people can move around more. Granted, I haven't been on a new car during rush hour to comment.
With all the TTC fare hikes, we've seen minimal improvements. Sure, the Presto card was a good idea, if it were to work probably and integrated fully. Instead, we pay a flat $3.00 to go anywhere from a block, to the end of the line. I would take the subway more often if it was distance based. I think we're also one of the few systems that don't have a kiosk/card system, and still have tickets/tokens.
Nowadays, I may as well drive, and find free parking than to take the subway.
Not only should the money be spent on more technology improvements, but how about getting more stations around the city. Streetcars and Buses get us around, but take up so much time. It bothers drivers too and gets in the way. I was all for Ford's nixing of Transit city.
Don't even get me started on the need for an Airport direct train. I'm glad Metrolinx finally jumped on this one.
I am all for the TTC being privatized. Life would be much better for Torontonians.
Let's look at the example of Asia/Hong Kong and the MTR. Such an efficient system, and they are experts in people flow, this is what you need.
Anyhow, there it is. My rant on the TTC. -
Review from Susan C.
Toronto, ON
2/11/2012
The TTC is a love and hate kind of thing for me. I must agree with Chris P. that the TTC does shape Toronto.
As a frequent rider, I must say the TTC is useful, but it is very slow for a transit system that serves such a large city. Especially, with budget cuts, my regular routes just got worse, and it was pretty bad to begin with. The one thing that gets me pissed off and angry (especially in the mornings) is when your bus/streetcar decides to take a short turn. This is the reason why I'm always late.
I must give credit to the TTC that it is relatively clean for a busy transit system. But, the price we pay, I kind of expected more room for improvements. When I was down in San Francisco, their bus system has some of the fastest routes. I only waited 5 minutes max on extremely busy routes and 10 minutes on the more suburban routes. My cousin told me that, especially in downtown SF, it comes every minute during rush hour. The bus system was very dirty, but the price they pay reflects this. As a student, I only paid 75 cents....yes.....75 CENTS. Plus, their transfer system is different - as long as it is before the time the driver ripped it, you can use it unlimited anywhere, any route, any transfer point. Unlike Toronto, one transfer for one major transfer point.
Paying $2 for bus fare is crazy for the slowest service ever. I also encounter many extremely rude drivers. I'm very disappointed in Toronto....VERY DISAPPOINTED.
However, on a nicer note, at least we're not Ottawa and have to pay $3.25 for a downtown bus fare. -
Review from Thomas H.
2/2/2012
The TTC. I've been riding it for 20 years. I'm less bitter about the service provided by the TTC than most. I see 2 main problems with the current TTC:
1) Political: lack of long term planning and funding.
Most of the tax dollars from Toronto flood out of the city to the provincial and federal governments. Politicians are motivated by short term votes. There is no motivation for politicians to plunge money into a new subway line.... even though it is an excellent investment in the city. The province and fed are content to slice a percentage off the top of the city without regard for our infrastructure.
There isn't really much we can do about this without doing something drastic like turning Toronto into it's own province, or staging a revolution.
2) Organizational: The TTC itself is quite incompetent. A TTC official said this before the fare hike in 2009:
"The Metropass has become a pretty attractive deal, which is essentially the problem. I think the TTC systemically has to look at whether or not their Metropass deal, as it stands, is sustainable"
WTF? Is the TTC so ignorant that it does not even understand the concept of a volume discount? Every business in the world is happy when people purchase on volume.
New subway lines. I would propose:
1) A line running diagonally. Northeast from Union up to Don Mills station.
Why? Because the Yonge line is always packed. It would serve as a very good alternative for most of the people currently on the yonge line.
2) A line running across Eglinton to the airport. This one is kind of obvious and has been dreamed of for decades.
Streetcars are inefficient:
1) They are the worst possible thing for traffic. They work fine on Spadina because they're separated from cars. At peak times on Queen, King, Dundas the streetcars are extremely slow. When a streetcar gets to the intersection on a green light, it stops to let passengers in and out. During this time, no cars behind can move. This has a feedback effect with other streetcars in front, causing a vicious cycle of backed up traffic. Thus, the streecar is just as bad for ttc riders as it is for drivers.
2) Even outside of peak traffic, streetcars have a way of piling together. Often, streetcar #1 will take all the passengers from the first few stops, so streetcar #2 and streetcar #3 are faster. Since streetcars can't pass each other, it causes pileup. At every stop everyone wants to get on the first streetcar, which takes forever. Streetcar #2 has to wait for streetcar #1 and a feedback effect makes this worse. Buses can (and do) pass each other in this situation.
3) If a garbage truck is making stops in front of your streetcar, it's a fate worse than death.
Buses:
- Doors should be at the very back of the bus. People will actually walk all the way to the back and we'll fill the bus.
TTC employees:
-bad ttc employees have received a lot of press. But I actually don't think they're that bad. Most of the drivers and workers I've dealt with have been helpful and responsible. There are some very unfortunate exceptions, but overall it's overblown as a problem. Perhaps they are overpaid though.
Survival Tips
- always buy tokens. they are cheaper than cash fare. Even if you rarely use the subway, they are a good store of value given the perpetual fare hikes. (inflation resistant!)
- if you are meeting someone on the subway and catching the streecar/bus
together, bring an extra transfer for them.
- if meeting someone on the track. Try to meet in the middle of the train as a default. it's a lot easier to find people in the middle of the car as front vs. back can get confusing.
- If you take a route frequently, try to figure out which part of the subway car to stand in so you get out closest to your exit. Waiting behind slow people can easily cause you to miss your transfer.
- remember which direction (north, east..) your train was going in. As you're getting off, try to keep track of which direction you're in. It can get confusing.
- watch out for homeless people. they smell.
- be ready for anything. nail clippers, undercover cops hunting underage drinkers.. even conversations with strangers.
- if riding the blue line after the bar/club, watch for people who are about to vomit. Watch out for people sitting behind you, and consider standing. It's easier to dodge vomit on your feet. (this will probably never happen to you)
- Never trust street car times.
- Never ever trust bus and street car times after the bar/club. assume the worst.
- Most delays only take a few minutes.
- If there is a bad delay. Think about alternative options... sometimes there is a bus line that can take you to the same area. sometimes a 10 minute walk is a good idea.
- keep an eye out for coffees, cans, etc. that have spilled or could spill.
- if someone tries to get onto the train when the door has just opened and you're trying to get off, kick them in the nuts and push them out of the way. They deserve it -
Review from Brad C.
Oshawa, ON
3/25/2012
I've lived in NY, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Boston, Orlando and Toronto and Toronto Transit is by far the best one.
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Review from Chris P.
10/16/2011
While I completely get why most hate the TTC (and I am included in that 'most' group) the TTC is also something that I know realistically if it didn't exsist TO would a very different kind of place to live in, and that it would be different for the worst. As much as I do complain about the TTC, I would never want to be dependant on a car as my only means of transport. I lived that lifestyle for a few years and had no problem at all with saying goodbye to it forever.
I started taking the TTC about 11 years ago in my first year of college. This was when I lived out in the burbs north of the city and I would first have to drive about an hour in rush hour traffic and then get on the subway at the insanely crowded and hectic Finch station. This was back in the days when your Metropass would get you free parking at commuter lots like Finch's. It was also at Finch station where I got to witness my first jumper, and have witnessed several more in the years since then.
(On a side note, just some quick advice. If you are ever on the platform when someone jumps in front of the train, do whatever you can to get out of the station as soon as humanly possible, If you are on the platform and security sees you there you will be detained as a witness and have to give some knd of statement as to what you saw. Take my advice as I have been detained as a witness before, you potentially will be stuck there for quite some time and it doesnt matter how many times you say 'I didn't see anything'. Just get out of there.)
I couldn;t wait to get out of suburbia and get rid of my car. I eventually did and have been dependent on the TTC for the past 8 years. On one hand it is so convenient as I live literally steps away from the subway which makes traveling anywhere else on the subway line easy and effortless. It however is still a source of stress as there are countless delays and they are always in the times when the most people are traveling like between 8-10am on a weekday morning. Most people on the trains are pretty rude and wil push and shove to get on and off, not to mention theres always someone with a bike/.stroller/large cumbersome object on the train during a peak time blocking one of the doors. And lets not forget the crazies who will be running rampant screaming profanity and begging for change Oh ya, and the jumpers are the cherry on top.
The consensus is that jumpers most often occur on the Bloor line between St. George and Ossington. Of course this is the line I take most often as I live in the west end. Bestie and I once got into this discussion about the planning that must go into the jump and how you would have to time it just right in order for the train to hit you while you are in midair. If you jump too soon you'd miss the train and land on the tracks in which case you'd either get electrocuted or the train would run over you, or actually both come to think of it. The thing is though anyone who is planning to jump has to know the effect it is going to have on the subway system so I wonder if incovieniencing thousands of people is part of the motivation for doing it.Listed in: 1 Review A Day For Every Day…, Bestie and Me
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Review from Sara K. P.
Toronto, ON
8/13/2011
TTC you never fail to dissappoint me. As someone who has been duped into paying THOUSANDS for your "world-class" mode of transport I feel it's my duty not to spare you my wagging finger and offer my unflinching review.
Today the TTC has closed all train service between Yonge to Eglinton, and replaced it with crap shuttle buses thereby extending my already agonizingly long commute from East to North York to an unnerving hour and a half and that's ONE-WAY!!!
And what's up with this so-called new "Toronto Rocket" train?
I'm beginning to think it's the stuff of urban myth as I take the Yonge line EVERY day and have yet to encounter the phenomenon.
To top it off on any given week I can expect
1) Missing my bus COMPLETELY and having to wait another half hour for the following bus even though I have consistently arrived in a timely manner
2) totally incoherent ramblings blasted on subway speaker systems regarding delays or redirections that apparently cost thousands to "upgrade"
3) Disgusting subway cars and buses, with crust(?) on the seats and the rank stench of I don't want to know what!!!
On top of the inefficiencies of theTTC here's a sampling of what other unpleasantries you can expect to see/or experience on any given day using the TTC
a) Someone with Tourette's scare the bejeezus out you (initially) with random profanity outbursts
b) A marriage or date proposal, always from someone disarmingly creepy/butt ugly with hella confidence
c) Homeless folks sleeping, which is fine I guess, but once the stench of urine/years of compounded B.O. starts to waft over it's downright repulsive
d) See girls (most often Asians) do their FULL makeup/hair routine on the subway, C'MON girls! I understand a swipe of lipstick or a pat of powder but 1) I should not be subject to hairspray fallout and 2) You don't look much better from what you looked like to begin with
and my #1 unpleasantry
e) Collective bad/morning breath
For reference here's a handy map/chart thingy of my observations while people watching on the Bloor Danforth subway [1]
Kipling Ossington-Spadina Bay Yonge Pape Vic Park
-------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------
Meh cool poseurs Oh God! Sketchy-------------
*Honourable mention goes to Old Mill station for it's scenic view
and to Chester for inspiring ruthless stair-climbing
So much for calling our transit "The Better Way" more like "It's better to give Beck Taxi your business"
[1] This is solely for entertainment purposes and to reflect the views of the reviewer, me, and not meant to insult anybody ;) -
Review from Tom B.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 9/20/2011
I've taken public transit in 23 different countries. I am a public transit using guy. TTC is a disgrace for a city like Toronto when you compare it to other public transit systems around the world. It is the most expensive system I have ever used. It's service is below par (ex. $3 to sit for 30 minutes in traffic going from Yonge to Spadina ... it's actually faster to walk) It often short-turns causing you to wait to board the next overly crowded streetcar... not what you'd expect in a world-class city. Other cities have issues, but none provide so little value to the public as TTC.
Take San Francisco for example. The USA is *not* a public transit country. SF did have a subway (BART) and street-cars and buses like we do. A fare was $1.00 AND it was good for 60 minutes on any bus or street-car. A monthly pass was about $40. It provided unlimited rides within the city limits on the BART subway, streetcars and buses. This is just one example but in most world-cities, this is typical. 1 EUR gets you just about anywhere on public in say Madrid, a whopping 30 cents will take you cross town in Buenos Aires.
Why is it that so many other major cities around the world can provide public transit that is cleaner, faster and more modern for literally 1/3 the fair? If TTC had competition, it would be out of business over night. TTC exists because there is no other options for many.
With dozens of new condo's going up virtually everywhere, how will TTC cope with the thousands of new riders? I'm guessing their plan is to simply do more of the same. Post more old guys with clip-boards to "monitor the situation" and raise fares.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/19/2010
I've used public transit all over the world and can say that TTC is pretty lame. I use it daily, but… Read more »
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Review from Aviva S.
7/10/2011
I am not a fan of the TTC and I can review it and bitch about it but everyone knows how it is.
I'm writing this because I want to thank the 320 bus driver who was at gerrard at 3:30 and stopped near Sheppard.
I happened to get on the worst bus in the world yesterday. This girl was clearly on drugs and so was her bf and they were arguing and the bus was stopped because she had cut herself 3 inches deep into her arm where it looked like a hole and had to be taken to the hospital.
It was a horrifying, traumatic night for me but I think it would have been worse if the driver wasn't as kind, helpful and amazing as he was. There was selfish assholes who complained about us having to exit the bus so the ambulance could come for her but he ignored them while (1) trying to calm everyone down (2) calling the ambulance (3) getting down the information of the people who saw the event happen (4) flagging down a bus for us to get on.
He was amazing. If you ever read this, you are a remarkable human being.
I guess there is hope for humanity. -
Review from Original E.
Toronto, ON
5/25/2011
The TTC makes me mad! http://www.youtube.com...
I ran for the streetcar and missed it by a second. You think that jelly doughnut eating driver cares to show me some goodwill, methinks not.
Attention all passengers! It's time to wake the hell up and show these TTC humps that the gravy train is coming to an end!!! -
Review from Perry L.
Toronto, ON
6/5/2011
Fun fact: the TTC is one of the few transit systems in the world where their funding is almost entirely from only the farebox. Basically, ridership is the only thing keeping it afloat.
Now, for a horribly underfunded transit system (Blame provincial higher ups for this), it holds itself up pretty well. Buses are accessible for pretty much the whole city, and subways run well enough... assuming there's no problems on track level, which seems to conveniently happen more often during rush hour.
Management on the other hand, seems to like making things look as though we're taking public transportation in some country where electricity does not exist. Why do we pay with paper tickets and metal coins that could easily be counterfeited, when there's better technologies that've existed for more than 10 years? Hell, they won't even accept the proposed payment system that's being funded by not them. A fickle bunch they are. -
Review from Jordan T.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 3/15/2011
You can text a phone number or get an "app" now and find out when the next streetcar is coming. This morning at 9 am the next 5 streetcars were scheduled to come as follows: 11 mins, 11 mins, 12 mins, 12 mins, 12 mins. I can certainly understand why you need five streetcars within a minute of one another. Also the actual arrival time is always longer than the TTC "estimates". You would think that the estimate would be an average based on time of day and typical speed of travel, apparently not.
This morning after 15 minutes and no streetcar I took a cab.Listed in: Travel, Places You Should Boycott
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/20/2010
My commute to work is 5.3 kilometres. It takes anywhere between 25 minutes and an hour and ten… Read more »
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Review from WaYnE c.
Maple, ON
12/8/2010 1 photo
My friend came to Toronto from visiting Montreal and started COMPLAINING about the TTC already. I had a Day Pass so we both had to wait for some people dealing with the TTC attendant while blocking the turnstiles. My friend ask why we had to line-up and can't use the Smartcards. I had no clue how to answer that question. Does TTC know how to answer that?
Overall appearance of everything TTC related was just unappealing from the chunks of ceiling missing to the newspaper and garbage scattered on the Trains, Buses, Streetcars. For some reason without any explanation, our Subway to Yorkdale stopped at Glencairn and told us to get off the train as this Train was no longer in service as we stood in the COLD awaiting for the next one.
I told my friend about the NEW TTC Subway Cars and the first comment was that there is no way to separate yourself from someone else(Beggars). It's as if my friend can read every Torontonians mind already while being a Foreign Visitor. We will see how TTC continues to improve or lack of...
Btw, my friend saw a coin and wanted to put it away somewhere, then I said it's worth $2.75(!) because it's a Token and not a Dime($0.10).
UPDATE! In less than 10 minutes of writing this review, I have Yelper(s) telling me it's $3.00 per Token and showing their FRUSTRATIONS!Listed in: T.O.urist in Town
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Review from Yan L.
Toronto, ON
12/26/2011
Wow I didn't think I could actually rate the TTC.
I have been part of a 3 month work adventure where I get to use the wonderful subway system called the yonge university spadina subway line. I am appalled. I can honestly say there were more days than not where I have been late because the subway can't seem to run on time. In three months I have been
1) abused by TTC employees
2) stuck in a subway car for 30 minutes between stops due to switch problems
3) sat in the same car as a homeless person where the entire car smells like an intricate mix of BO and urine
4) pushed from behind constantly by rude passengers
5) unable to get off because passengers don't let others off
6) late for work 3/5 days a week after the operator saunters on his or her way down yonge
The list doesn't stop there but I think quite a few people can appreciate my experiences. I have travelled to many areas around the world and for a "world class" city Toronto is a joke when it comes to transit.
I've sat there and wondered why we continue to use tokens or why we're paying salaries for people to stand mid car to close the doors. This system is just broken and I'm sad to say that there's nothing we can do to fix it. -
Review from Clarissa S.
4/22/2011
Somebody call the WAAAH-mbulance!
If you have any grievances about the TTC, I would highly suggest doing a daily commute for one week in San Francisco on the MUNI and BART systems, where as an unfortunate Torontonian, I have had to cope for the past few years.
Additionally, at least the TTC goes in a direction I actually give a damn about versus another Canadian city transit system I had the pleasure of having to live with. Yeah, that's right Vancouver, I'm looking at you, you Go-Nowhere-er.
To put it plainly, I would take the absolute worst day that any person giving this system a 1 star rating has had on the TTC over any day I've had on the notoriously inconsistent, dirty, poo-addled San Francisco transit options. I'm pretty sure the TTC didn't have 245 reported complaints of urination or defecation last year, so count your lucky stars that you have a system that actually works and isn't disgusting, Toronto! -
Review from Lupillo R.
Toronto, ON
10/27/2010
I love public transit and I hate the TTC. The TTC is the worst public transit system I have experienced anywhere in the world. In the past year I have used transit in Montreal, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Frankfurt, Rome, Athens, Mexico City... I'm probably forgetting a few but you get the point.
I won't get into how filthy and unreliable the entire system is for the sake of ranting about my biggest pet peeve. Streetcars. They clog the city and should have been buried many years ago. (Not to mention the havoc their slippery tracks wreak on cyclists) If the city can't afford to burry them, at least give them dedicated lanes like on Spadina.
The $3 fare is too expensive, tokens should be sold at many more outlets throughout the city and the Metropass is a joke. It's only worthwhile if you're taking the TTC twice a day, 5 days a week. If you're skipping even one day it's cheaper to use tokens all month. The whole point of a monthly pass should be to save people money and entice them to use transit more often.
I would rather walk 30min in the middle of winter (and often do) than give the TTC three of my hard earned dollars. -
Review from Monica F.
11/23/2010
Try living in another city (in Ontario at least) while using their transit system, and see if you still want to complain about the TTC.
I didn't think so!Listed in: 5 star reviews!
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Review from Avi L.
Toronto, ON
12/24/2010
Usually the TTC has great service. Sometimes streetcars come in bundles up Spadina. Sometimes trains are late, or have to stop mid-way up to Downsview and turn back ( which is a pain-in-the-ass). But overall, I would say I'm happy with the TTC. It takes me where I need to go.
However, a couple of things make me have to say the TTC is a strange organization. As this is the Xmas season it's not surprising that I find some stressed out employees, and riding companions. What sticks out is this:
An older ticket booth fellow at Spadina station says to me after I ask him how he's doing, " I don't like it at Spadina station." What am I supposed to do with this? Write a story? Feel bad for him making + $30 an hour to sit in a booth and make change?
I don't think the customer service effort is working, or will work unless the TTC management can get buy-in from their own employees. Something needs to happen to appeal to the people that use transit, and to those working on transit to make this public space better.
There are thousands of Torontonians who use this service. From a marketing perspective the abundance of demographics make this a golden opportunity for annoying and ubiquitous advertising. It would be smart to use the demographic opportunity to reach out better to Torontonians and make the service and space what it could be. -
Review from Steph L.
12/7/2010
Fine. TTC, you are not the enemy.
So, I'm a downtowner who owns a car.
I walk whenever I can or I take the subway when required.
Buses and streetcars are still a challenge that I have not mastered.
This winter I have to store my car, so the TTC and I are getting reacquainted and we will probably get to know each other pretty intimately.
Now, I still think the subway is for peasants, students, middle-class professionals, and mole people (And of course there are a few cool people taking the subway too).
But TTC, you do get me where I want to go... (within a reasonable distance) ...maybe not on time.
Things I do like:
* The subways arrive pretty quick compared to other cities (if there are no incidents at track level).
* The vomit comet/24 hour lines will get you home or close to it
* Late night in-between stops drop-offs for ladies is great
* It's actually pretty easy to navigate TTC routes with the maps available in the station or off the TTC website, even Google maps has a public transit option
* It's easy to get to the airport, it's not direct, but not hard at all
* I like the subway performers and Pizza Pizza booths, if you eat enough pizza you won't even realize you are waiting for a train
Things I don't understand:
* Why do homeless and/or crazy people gravitate to me?!
* How are there so many jumpers/random mysterious fires?
* Why is public transit so expensive? Compared to other cities it's damn expensive.
* There should be more parking at TTC stations if you want people to TTC into the city from burbland
So, yeah, TTC, let's be friends. We can make this work.
...You, me, and some antibacterial hand sanitizer. -
Review from Kat F.
Updated - 8/25/2009
Two kudos:
1. Thanks for whipping your 501 Queen streetcar drivers into shape (surely due to my scathing review two weeks ago), who are now diligently announcing detour stops and keeping passengers in the loop during the rerouting debacle.
2. Thanks for upgrading the TTC service maps on your website and making them usable and realistically-sized and proportioned. No longer do I have to open a 40mb PDF of the entire city of Toronto that takes like ten minutes to render because there is so much fking detail on it that it rivals Google Earth, complete with captures of street posts and a glimpse into the number of pigeons present at any given time on the corner of Queen & York.Listed in: Public Transit in Toronto
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/16/2009
With TTC Twitter and email updates about service charges we now see just how often (and yes, it's… Read more »
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Review from Karl R.
10/2/2009
TTC is better than nothing but the system has really declined in reliability, cleanliness, and convenience. Where people live and work has moved way beyond where the subway/streetcars go. There's been little desire on the Federal/Provincial governments to expand the system. Bus routes have been put in place to address some of this but the bus really, really sucks. It's subject to the same glacial crawl of traffic. Peak times on major bus routes always feature packed buses that many times have to bypass waiting patrons because they're too full.
The was a time when people were moving into the city to give up their car and take the TTC to work. Now people are moving even deeper into the city so they can give up the $109 fee for a transit pass and walk to work. About the only nice thing to happen in a long time is the 15% you get back during tax time. That brings the true cost down to about $93. But I still don't think I'm getting what I pay for.
It's just really saddening to see some cities in this world build whole new subway lines every five years and in Toronto we're lucky if we get a new subway station added to the route in a decade. There's this grand plan to lay LRT lines all over Toronto and that would be great but you know it's going to take them 10 years to build even one of the projected lines and "the plan" is shooting for 2050, probably long after I'm dead.
And the trash these days. Oi. This is one of the few things passengers can actually control but so few seem to give a rat's poop chute. How many times do you see people just toss their trash on the ground, knowing full well there's a waste bin waiting for them at their stop? Uggg. We've raised a couple generations all hepped up on saving the rain forests and global warming that we've stopped telling them not to be litter bugs.
The people who sit in those booths selling tickets mostly need some courses in customer service. It's depressing to think they're earning six figure salaries but seem like it's beneath them to treat their patrons with a modicum of respect. The guy driving my bus or the guy maintaining the brakes on the trains, I don't mind him being paid a great wage. But I don't see how my sense of safety is affected by a guy in a booth being paid the same as your GP. I remember I bought a TTC pass from one boothie and she gave me back $2 of change in quarters. She had loonies all set up on her little desk. When I asked for, you know, a toonie instead, she went off on me that money was money.
This is what our taxes and fares pay for. -
Review from Melanie H.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 2/13/2010
I just wanted to write and update and take 1 star away. The other day I bought a single token from the machine, and tried to enter the Lansdowne Subway station at Bloor and Emerson. Unfortunately, I put my token into the slot and nothing happened. NAda. I shuffled everything around, nothing. Since I was in no hurry, I went to the bank to get out more cash, then I walked to the main entrance to explain what happened. Here's what happened:
Me: Hi, I was just trying to enter throught the
TTC employee: (interrupts me) You want how many tokens?
Me: No, I was just trying to enter the subway from the
TTC employee: Oh you need change?
Me: No, I was trying to enter the subway at the other entrance and I
TTC employee: It's $3 dollars
Me: Right. hmmm I'm actually trying to tell you..
TTC employee: 3 dollars
Me: Hmmmm, ok. I guess I'll have some change, please.
I just didn't have time for this game so I gave in. I know I didn't have to, but I was feeling so frustrated I just wanted to get away from this man, and onto the beloved TTC.
For some reason that TTC employee makes me remember Eniac.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/17/2010
The TTC has done nothing but let me down over the years, and has been increasing their prices over… Read more »
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Review from Melanio F.
6/29/2009
First thing I did upon arrival to Toronto was purchase a weekly pass valid from Mon-Sun. Price is about right if you were taking the transit including Streetcars, Bus or Subway rides for at least 6 days. The pass seem to take effect on Mon and ends on a Sun.
I will review certain stops separately for the subway and the streetcar named Queen St West later...
Overall, the weekly pass is a deal if you intend to go to various venues within the City of Toronto.Listed in: Foreign Visits
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Review from Kathleen W.
8/30/2010
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) is really all the public subway transportation that I'm familiar with. In comparison, TTC is pretty good. $3.00 CDN a ride - regardless of distance - makes the token vending machine much easier than the ones that frequently break @ BART. Tokens also means that once you're in, you don't have to worry about misplacing your ticket somewhere during the ride (which happens to me a lot).
No published schedule other than the hours the trains are running - and I never had to wait more than 3-5 minutes for a train - which is awesome. Of the handful of stations I passed through, they were all pretty clean, well lit and from what I gathered - felt relatively safe. I also did not encounter any crazy bums playing the PENIS game ... but then again, I was only in Toronto for 4 days.
Not bad at all and pretty easy for tourists to navigate on. -
Review from Eric B.
4/3/2009
The trains and their stations look a little tired these days. However, you can't beat a $9 day pass to get you where you want to go. And the infrastructure is still relatively clean and most importantly safe.
I'm not sure whether I would feel the same way as a daily commuter, but as a tourist (who is not nuts), the coverage and efficiency of the TTC system is hard to beat for what I want to do and see in Toronto (including a lot of walking in between). -
Review from Andy H.
8/7/2008
Wow...as a New Yorker, who is used to dirt filled subways that smell like piss, and are filled with giant rats, this subway kicks serious ass!
So clean, always on time, well lit passageways and help if you need it. We were trying to figure out how to buy a card for the train, and some lady for the subway system comes over and offers to help me. What a pleasant ride!Listed in: Oh Yelp Canada!
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Review from Michael B.
8/26/2008
Yes Yes, fellow New Yorkers...our subway system smells and the TTC does not. I too am a fan of Toronto's subway and the general public transit system here, HOWEVER, 2 major downgrades are:
1) the monthly metro passes. Only good for the month that you're in and not just a clean cut 30 days. You arrive mid month, you find yourself running for weekly passes until the new month starts up.
2) it's blatant hate for credit cards! I believe there are only about 2 or 3 stations that have a machine that takes DEBIT cards ONLY and even then I'm pretty sure it has to be from a Canadian bank. My boss and I were screwed trying to purchase passes with our ATM cards.
On top of that, they employees of the TTC sent me on a wild goose chase trying to purchase 30 weekly passes. Let's get this straight TTC...you don't take credit cards anywhere! Don't tell someone they can pay by credit card and please don't send them to your main office...because the one woman behind the counter was very rude and of zero help (actually...probably the first time I felt like I was dealing with a New Yorker).
So, I've had a love hate relationship with the TTC. Loves: Cleanliness, the trains come so so frequently. Hates: no love for plastic currency, and unhelpful staff at Bloor and Davisville!
The End :) -
Review from Calvin S.
Markham, ON
1/26/2011
Tell me, name another North American transit system with consistent 5 minute subway service on Sundays. New York has 6-8 mins at the local stops, WMATA has 15, BART is 10 I believe.
Now I understand why people would complain about subway delays, but most of the times the "smoke at track level" incidents is due to people throwing litter on the tracks, causing a reaction with the electrification of the tracks. I do agree though, TTC needs to communicate better with its riders when that happens.
Streetcar service I find pretty good, except the 506 Carlton, where I've waited upwards of 30-45 minutes for a streetcar once. My favourite one is the 510 Spadina, usually one shows 2-3 minutes after I arrive at any stop.
Bus service really depends on where you are. It seems the west end has more unreliability compared to the east end. I've never waited more than 3 minutes along the Finch East corridor, because it's just that frequent. Although I've heard of stories from my friends where they waited 30 minutes for a 36 Finch West.
So overall, 3 stars. -
Review from Vanessa G.
Toronto, ON
10/28/2008
I gotta say, as a daily commuter, our transit system sucks. I know it means well, and it's simply a case of insufficient funding, but I routinely have to wait for two or three streetcars in the morning before I can find one inch of space to squeeze into.
The subway line, for a city of Toronto's size, is pathetic. If you don't live on the U or north of downtown, you will be forced to bus or streetcar yourself to the subway. Clearly, they don't have money to send out enough cars as they are constantly filled to the brim with people.
I know there are worse transit systems in cities larger than Toronto, but that fact doesn't really help me when I'm constantly late for work. I hope David Miller gets a fat wad of cash to help beef up the TTC - I don't want to get a car and I don't mind commuting but there has to be a more enticing alternative than what we've got. -
Review from Lynda W.
Toronto, ON
10/22/2008
When I was little, I hated going on the TTC. I would feel dirty after. It wasn't until I started working in Toronto and I came to the realization that the subway was the cheapest and fastest option, that I gave into this fear.
Two years later, I'm actually a TTC fan. Though if you were to ask me if I prefer to go downtown by car or subway, car will win every time.. But sometimes going by automobile just isn't practical. The TTC for the most part is pretty reliable. I haven't had too many problems with delays or such. But they do happen, maybe once every few months. The newer subway cars are much nicer (the Red painted Interior), and the door width is wider so more people can fit and stand near the door.
Streetcars are a different story. I haven't had too much experience riding streetcars, they aren't the cleanest, but they are faster than walking. On a hot summer day, I'd walk than board the streetcar, but on a cold winter night, the streetcar is a pretty good option.
Starting in APRIL 2009 Metropass parking (the subway stops with the green M on the map) will be discontinued and there will be a fee for parking at every TTC subway station. That really sucks and I'm interested to see how much they will charge and what the backlash will be. I know I'm looking for an alternative route to get to work, which will include unfortunately more driving. I'll miss my Metropass, and my unlimited TTC rides everywhere, but it's the sacrifice I'll have to make. -
Review from Andrew N.
Scarborough, ON
7/4/2010
You can say whatever you want, but TTC is always 99% reliable, fast and cheap!
There is nothing faster in rush hour than a subway train. For a 100$ u get unlimited travel...If you own a car i'm more than sure that you pay more then a 100 a month just for insurance.
Don't like it? - Don't use it then! Buy a car, see how much that costs.
EDIT: This review is only truthful about subway, buses and streetcars depend on traffic and that's something TTC can't control. -
Review from Emily T.
Toronto, ON
12/23/2008
I have lived in Toronto for over ten years and one of my earliest memories of this city was my first subway ride. (I was a teenager and had moved here from a small Northern Ontario town where the only transportation I had known was my mom's minivan.)
For whatever reason I related the Toronto subway system to some kind of romantic old-time tram, where the stops were called out in sing-song and people gave up their seats to little old ladies. (This, pleasantly, I still see to this day). I think it was a naive notion that the busy city and the busy transit made up this wonderful nostalgic feel, and I couldn't wait to experience it myself.
So, the day came when it was time to take the subway. Back then the fare was about $1.25; manageable, especially when you think of today's cost. I remember the station was big and people were EVERYWHERE. It was chaos, or at least to me, it was chaos. I paid my fare, got on the train, took my little red seat and waited in anticipation.
The now inaudible 'ding, ding, ding' to signal the doors closing rang in my ears and my excitement grew. The ride was pleasant enough; nothing like the volt of a plane engine. It was rackety, but not as rackety as I had imagined, and to my grave disappointment I couldn't walk between the cars. Well, you aren't really supposed to, but I have seen some daring souls do this and I envy their courage.
It isn't so much the ride that is worth talking about, but the memories I've gained on the TTC. I suppose that many wouldn't give commuting a second thought, but I can honestly say that, for the most part I appreciate our transit system.
Sure, it could be better. Buses and streetcars could come on time; the subway could be faster without signal problems; I could live without the constant overcrowding; it could be cheaper; we could all get everything we wanted, whenever we wanted it, without question...but that isn't reality.
I definitely share in the frustrations of daily commuters, and there are improvements needed, but until then, let's try to look at the bright side, shall we? For the ten plus years I've been a regular TTC rider, I can say with honest confidence, 8 times out of 10, I am a happy camper.
The TTC is clean; it's safe; it usually gets me to my destination in time; every one I know who visits the city loves it and it's a great way to see Toronto. I think perception has a lot do with people's opinions about the TTC, but don't take my word for it; check out Randal Paul's ode to our transit system on You tube: " I get on (the TTC)"...
All in all, the TTC and it's domains (bus, streetcar, subway) is what we've got in this city so why not suck it up and bare it?
I have complied a list of general rules that I think if everyone understood, our TTC would be gold!
As follows:
1. TAKE OFF YOUR BACKPACK. IT IS PURE COMMON SENSE THAT A HUGE, BULGING BAG PROTRUDING OUT OF YOUR BACK WILL MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR OTHERS TO STAND AROUND YOU. JUST TAKE IT OFF, MAN!
2. There is always more room at the back of the bus/streetcar. Venture there, and you shall see.
3. When you see a subway car so full at your stop that strangers are chewing each others gum, do not get on. I know you're running late, but just don't. The next train will be along in about 2 minutes.
4. People do need to go up stairs as readily as they need to go down; give them room.
5. Do not throw your garbage, food wrappers, newspapers or leave your half empty pop bottles on the subway. There are garbage and recycling cans at every stop. This ain't your bedroom!
6. Do not shoot up or snort up anything on the TTC. This should be a given, but I don't want to elaborate further on some of the things I've witnessed.
7. Continue to give up your seat to those older than you. It is a nice thing to do.
8. Please don't make out on the TTC. (See #5)
9. Line up in a single row fashion as we do up at York U when waiting for the bus. Sure, it looks like your in kindergarten again, but its fast and keeps people less angry.
and most importantly;
10. When there is clearly a seat next to you that is empty, do not pretend to use it by placing your bag there. Your bag did not pay $2.75 for the ride.
Thank you. -
Review from Dallas H.
11/23/2009
I came to Toronto in late 2007, when the price of a token was $2. As of January that same token will be $2.50--a 25% increase during a period of near-zero (and even negative) inflation.
Funny how the IRT/BMT in NYC, when it was privately operated, managed to hold fares static at 5¢ from 1904 to 1948.
The TTC is perpetually in a "funding crisis." Perhaps that crisis might be exacerbated via the installation and maintenance of CCTV surveillance cameras in all buses & streetcars, a feasibility study of platform screen doors, a bloated bureaucracy, and endless concessions to the Amalgamated Transit Union.
I don't agree with Vanessa G. who says, "The subway [system], for a city of Toronto's size, is pathetic." Philadelphia is a slightly larger, slightly denser metropolitan area whose subway system has only 63 stations to our 69. SEPTA also has streetcars, but nowhere near as extensive as Toronto's network. The coverage is good; the fares are just overpriced. A SEPTA token is only $1.45.
With high insurance rates and absurd parking restrictions, Toronto uses more of a stick than a carrot approach to get motorists taking transit. I love subways, and I have even made a living as a transit advocate, but $2.50 a token makes for a $10 round trip should I want to take my girlfriend out anywhere. At night, when it's easy to park downtown for free, who wouldn't drive? No car? Exactly--these fare hikes are nothing more than a tax increase on the transit-dependent poor. Adam Giambrone, you are scum. -
Review from Amy J.
5/10/2010
Decent and efficient public transportation for a major city. Also, if you buy a day pass on a Sunday, you can basically get a group rate which is two for the price of one. We ended up maximizing on that gain.
Not sure what else to say besides we never had to wait more than 5 minutes for a train. Once you figure out how it all works, it's pretty easy to get around without a car there. -
Review from Abby R.
Toronto, ON
8/28/2008
I love the TTC.
Pros:
-Clean
-Fast
-Environmentally conscious (we run hybrid busses)
-Reliable
-Staff and other riders are always helpful
-Doesn't move at a snails pace (like in Boston)
-The back of the bus doesn't fill with exhaust (also, like in Boston)
-The bus driver/streetcar driver will often wait for you if he sees you running towards the bus (unlike Tokyo)
-Easy to navigate
Cons:
-Expensive!! Frequently it's cheaper for me to drive and park than take the TTC if I'm with people
-Hard to get a discounted meteropass, but you can get one through your school or work sometimes
-The website SUCKS. In Boston, and in Tokyo, I just would enter my start point and end point, and it would give me all of my route options. The TTC has nothing even close to that. Instead, I need google maps and a chance in hell to figure out what bus to take if I am going somewhere I've never been before.
-The actual subway doesn't go all over the city like in other cities - instead you need to rely heavily on bus and streetcar
-Sometimes in the winter you wait in line for a bus and every bus that goes buy is packed to the brim. I've literally waited 30 mins for a bus to come by.
-TTC parking lots are few and hard to come by.
All in all, I think the TTC is awesome. If they weren't so expensive and had a better website this would be a 5/5 rating. It is, however, so much more pleasant to ride than in other cities where their trains/busses are old. dirty and stanky. Plus, Torontonians are on the TTC - and that always makes it pleasant (or at least, very fashionable). -
Review from Joyees Y.
Scarborough, ON
1/19/2010
This is a revised review since the one I was going to post was a bit too angry I might have sounded very psychotic. So I'm just going to say this, the TTC is the worst thing about Toronto EVER!!!!
In fact, my friend is using this reason to justify her moving...
