The TTC was a total mess this weekend after subway stations shut down
It's been a rough few days for Toronto residents who rely on public transit to get around, thanks in part to the suspension of subway service along a major stretch of Line 1 for two entire days.
The TTC reminded customers late last week that there would be no subway service on Line 1 between St. Andrew and St. Clair West stations on Saturday, Nov. 7 or Sunday, Nov. 8, due to "track work."
Dupont, St Patrick and Osgoode stations were closed completely, while all other stations along the affected stretch of Line 1 remained open ony for PRESTO fare purchases and surface route connections.
Like they ever do any work just same old inconvenience the ridership more
— Bandit (@Bandit1854) November 6, 2020
Shuttle buses were deployed, as usual, to fill in the service gap — but they struggled to actually move through traffic when a protest broke out at Bloor and Spadina.
TTC buses u-turn as protesters block Bloor St Toronto. #ttc #Toronto #ttcbus pic.twitter.com/GHDoc7Ns58
— Bradley Woods (@Brad_YYZ) November 8, 2020
The transit commission announced just after 2:30 p.m. on Saturday that its Line 1 shuttle was experiencing "longer than normal delays to service near Queens Park due to police activity."
Two hours later, with the demonstration still active, a detour was put into place via Dupont Street.
It wasn't until after 8 p.m that regular service resumed on the Line 1 shuttle.
There's a protest happening. pic.twitter.com/6qVsZbV8OE
— 𝕽𝖆𝖎𝖓(𝖊𝖗) 🍁 (@bett3r) November 7, 2020
The fun didn't stop there, however. The very next morning, the TTC advised passengers that the public washrooms at its busiest station were out of commission due to flooding.
love that for you ✨
— Liam (@Liam_McB) November 9, 2020
Multiple bus and streetcar routes also experienced delays (if not complete service stoppages) throughout the atypically warm (and thus very busy) mid-November weekend.
From subway suspensions for "police activity" and "security incidents" to streetcar holdups due to "mechanical problems," it was a messy weekend all around.
505 Dundas: Detour eastbound via Bathurst St while we deal with a disruptive customer at Dundas and Lansdowne.
— TTC Service Alerts (@TTCnotices) November 7, 2020
And with fewer routes operational, Toronto's overcrowding problem only intensified.
Shuttle buses, as usual, were no exception.@TTChelps this is how yow want to stop the spread of COVID? By putting less busses on routes like Yonge 320? Really! This is just unacceptable and what’s more you see empty busses with not in service signs plying the road. Close to 60 people on this frigging bus at 5:40 am. pic.twitter.com/Yg7DE2CI9V
— gesund (@gesund_1) November 8, 2020
Hi, sorry to hear that. Our supervisors are monitoring this and will reallocate vehicles if possible. Please wait for next bus if current one is too full. ^JV💎
— TTC Customer Service (@TTChelps) November 8, 2020
Fortunately, it was nice enough outdoors this weekend that many people could choose to walk or cycle the city instead.
With winter in our very near future, the same can't be said for long.
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