A dazzling fireworks display, mild weather and free transit attracted the masses to downtown Toronto on New Year's Eve, though this combination may have proved just a bit too enticing, as the city descended into chaos when it came time for the crowds to head home.

Photos and videos pouring into social media since Sunday night show absolute pandemonium on public transit and roads following the free 10-minute, high-altitude fireworks show synchronized to music along Toronto's waterfront.

The scene last night at Union Station on New Years 😳 pic.twitter.com/HSQ46mbs0E

— 6ixBuzzTV (@6ixbuzztv) January 1, 2024

Things were particularly messy at Union Station, where thousands packed into the transit hub like sardines in hopes of hopping aboard the TTC and GO Transit, which were both offering free rides as part of a holiday promotion.

great start to 2024 pic.twitter.com/yNdWCZ6wnA

— William Pham (@william_da_pham) January 1, 2024

The TTC has noted that this year's crowds were "significantly larger" than the year before, and that the transit agency is looking for ways to improve the flow of crowds for NYE 2025.

saw all this and just turned around and left cos there’s no way 😭 pic.twitter.com/sGR0fhc23P

— adam (he/they) ✨ (@aadamttaylor) January 1, 2024

In the lead-up to the big night, Mayor Olivia Chow urged locals "to take advantage of the free TTC service and enjoy the festivities responsibly," adding, "Let's start 2024 on a positive note!"

It seems just a few too many heeded her call.

Toronto Union needs one or two shoulder stations to spread the passengers out & avoid such dangerous crush crowds. Bravo to @Metrolinx for running so much NYE service to get people out of cars, Obvs more will be needed next year! @LongBranchMike @RM_Transit

— Long Branch Mike (@LongBranchMike1) January 1, 2024

Attendees thinking they could evade the crowds by driving to and from the NYE festivities faced similar headaches on local roads. Most notably, the Gardiner Expressway was an unbroken chain of red brake lights stretching across downtown Toronto.

That Toronto Traffic After New Years Was Bad.
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Via: ( @areacode416ix )
🎥: ( Avirupsethi/ TT )#newyear #Toronto #Traffic #fireworks pic.twitter.com/LO0wORpbfi

— 401_da_sarpanch (@401_da_sarpanch) January 1, 2024

Even after gridlock eased on the elevated arterial, multiple late-night crashes were reported along the Gardiner.

Severe crowding has raised concerns about further traffic restrictions and bottlenecks on highways and public transit networks, and has some asking what can be done to prevent future overcrowding.

The New Year's crowds at Union are an indication that Toronto & Ontario need to make, test, communicate and improve plans to move people, not move vehicles.

Seven years of Gardiner Expressway rehab, from 427 to York Street, begin this Spring. Driving will be even more miserable. https://t.co/Cw93V3Hen0 pic.twitter.com/thzAYMZjFk

— Moaz Ahmad (@yyzMYA) January 1, 2024

New Year's Eve was likely a very long night for transit and highway users caught up in the crowds, many of whom may now think twice about venturing out for next year's NYE bash.