If you’re a regular commuter on the 504 King streetcar heading home after your nine to five, then perhaps you’ve come across longer-than-usual wait times. (Courtesy: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
If you’re a regular commuter on the 504 King streetcar heading home after your nine to five, then perhaps you’ve come across longer-than-usual wait times.
In 2017, the King Street Transit Pilot was launched to combat the long wait times transit riders were experiencing. That meant prohibiting vehicles between Bathurst and Jarvis streets which would only allow transit riders, pedestrians and cyclists access. Additionally, drivers must divert at the intersection where the corridor begins.
TTC spokesperson Stuart Green told The Brandon Gonez Show, “Our most recent data indicates that travel times today between Jarvis and Bathurst are as bad or worse than they were prior to the King pilot in 2017.”
Green provided a chart comparing the average September travel times over the last few years between Bathurst and Jarvis.
“We believe much of this is likely due to increased encroachment (legal and illegal) on the priority corridor by cars diverting around construction congestion, this would include increased numbers of rideshare vehicles in the downtown core,” Green said.
He also said during the weekday around 45,000 transit riders travel along King Street.
People are reacting on X about their frustration with the long commute wait times.
“Between Peter and King there were 14 streetcars stuck for nothing other than traffic congestion. This is not unusual lately and absolutely ridiculous,” one user said.
“I had to walk from Spadina to Church before streetcars were operating. It would have cost me a double fair to get home home, I kept walking,” another said.
“I walked past these streetcars yesterday and couldn’t understand what was going on. There were too many cars on King St as well. I’m sure they were traveling more than a single block,” one user added.
Unfortunately, despite the traffic signs drivers seem to not be following the rules, and according to a report by CityNews earlier this month, Toronto police have issued over 22,000 tickets.
The city says it will examine streetcar routes next year.
“At its November 8 meeting, City Council directed the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with the Toronto Transit Commission, the Toronto Police Service and the City Solicitor to review and report back to the Executive Committee in the second quarter of 2024 with an update on streetcar performance over the last five years,” a city spokesperson told The Brandon Gonez Show.
In the meantime, as we approach the winter season, Torontonians may have to brace for the cold a bit longer if they decide to walk to their destination or continue to be patient during their commute on the streetcars until there’s a solution for more seamless rides during evening rush hour.
