Milestones
TTC Milestones
2013
- Five-Year Corporate Plan and Customer Charter introduced, outlining the TTC’s commitments to Toronto and to transit customers.
- Pape becomes an accessible subway station.
2012
- TTC ridership reaches record level of 514.0-million annual customer-trips.
- St Andrew becomes an accessible subway station.
2011
- First “Toronto Rocket” accessible subway trains enter service.
- TTC ridership reaches record level of 500.2-million annual customer-trips.
- Victoria Park becomes an accessible subway station.
- All TTC bus routes are accessible.
- Last non-accessible buses retired from regular service.
2010
- TTC ridership reaches record level of 477.4-million annual customer-trips.
2009
- TTC ridership reaches record level of 471.2-million annual customer-trips.
- The Transit City Bus Plan, which recommends initiatives to improve bus service on key routes across Toronto, is approved by the Commission.
- North York Centre becomes an accessible subway station.
- York University busway opens from Downsview Station to York University.
- Presto fare card readers installed, at limited number of subway stations.
2008
- TTC ridership reaches record level of 466.7-million annual customer-trips.
- Service increased so that most bus and streetcar routes operate all day, every day.
- TTC service suspended during one-and-a-half-day strike.
- Adult tickets eliminated.
2007
- Osgoode, St Clair and York Mills become accessible subway stations.
- The Transit City Light Rail Plan, which recommends a network of new light rail lines throughout Toronto, is approved by the Commission.
2006
- Broadview Station and Jane Station become accessible subway stations.
- First production diesel-electric hybrid buses enter TTC service.
- TTC service suspended during one-day strike.
- CNG-fueled buses retired from service.
- Day Pass becomes valid for travel during Monday-Friday morning peak period.
2005
- Day Pass becomes valid for family or group travel on Saturdays.
- Transferable Weekly Pass is introduced. Adults do not require photo identification.
- Monthly Metropass becomes transferable. Adults no longer require photo identification.
- Eglinton West Station becomes an accessible subway station.
2003
- Articulated buses retired from service.
- The Ridership Growth Strategy, which recommends significant service improvements and fare initiatives, is approved by the Commission.
2004
- Eglinton Station and Main Street Station become accessible subway stations.
2002
- Davisville Station, Dundas Station, Dundas West Station, and Queen's Park Station become accessible subway stations.
- Sheppard Subway opens from Sheppard-Yonge Station to Don Mills Station. All five stations on the new subway – Sheppard-Yonge Station, Bayview Station, Bessarion Station, Leslie Station, and Don Mills Station – are accessible subway stations.
2000
- Scarborough Centre Station becomes an accessible subway station.
- Harbourfront streetcar extended west from Spadina & Queens Quay to Exhibition.
1999
- Bathurst Station, Finch Station, Kennedy Station, Kipling Station, and St George Station become accessible subway stations.
- TTC service suspended during two-day strike.
1998
- First low-floor full-sized accessible buses enter service.
- The amalgamated City of Toronto replaces Metro Toronto and six area municipalities.
1997
- Spadina streetcar opens between Spadina Station and Union Station.
- Queen Station and Spadina Station (Bloor-Danforth Subway) become accessible subway stations.
1996
- Spadina Subway extended north to Downsview Station.
- Downsview Station, Bloor-Yonge Station, and Union Station become the first accessible subway stations.
- First lift-equipped accessible buses enter service.
- First of 372 “T-1” accessible subway cars enter service.
1995
- Last PCC streetcars retired from regular service.
1994
- Unlimited-ride GTA weekly pass introduced, valid on TTC and other surrounding transit agencies.
1993
- Electric trolley coaches retired from service.
1992
- Free commuter parking introduced for Metropass customers.
1991
- TTC service suspended during 8-day strike.
1990
- Community bus service for seniors and people with disabilities introduced.
- Harbourfront streetcar opens between Union Station and Queens Quay & Spadina.
- Gray Coach Lines is sold.
- Last original red " Gloucester " subway cars retired from service.
- Day Pass replaces Sunday/Holiday Pass. Valid for one person from Monday to Saturday and for family or group travel on Sundays and holidays.
1989
- First CNG-fueled buses enter service.
- TTC service disrupted during 41-day labour dispute.
1988
- First production Articulated Light Rail Vehicles (ALRV) enter service.
- TTC assumes full responsibility for Wheel-Trans operation.
- TTC ridership reaches record level of 463.5-million annual customer-trips.
- Gray Coach Lines purchases one-third interest in charter airline Vacationair. GCL stake is sold in 1989.
1987
- High-capacity 18m-long articulated buses enter service.
- North York Centre Station opens.
- Blue Night network of expanded overnight bus and streetcar routes is introduced.
1985
- Scarborough RT opens between Kennedy Station and McCowan Station.
1986
- Gray Coach Lines purchases intercity coach and school bus operator Trentway-Wagar Inc.
1980
- Unlimited-ride monthly Metropass introduced.
- Bloor-Danforth Subway extended west to Kipling Station and east to Kennedy Station.
1979
- First Canadian Light Rail Vehicles (CLRV) enter service.
1978
- Spadina Subway opens between St George Station and Wilson Station. University Subway re-opens during the late evenings and on Sundays.
- TTC service suspended during eight-day strike.
1975
- Exact cash fares introduced.
- Wheel-Trans established, operated by a private contractor using lift-equipped vans.
- TTC mini-bus service begins operation, on the Maple Leaf and Glenorchy routes. Regular buses replace mini-buses on Maple Leaf in 1978 and on Glenorchy in 1981.
- Women are employed as Operators for the first time since the Second World War.
1974
- Yonge Subway extended north to Finch Station.
- TTC service suspended during 23-day strike.
1973
- Yonge Subway extended north to York Mills Station.
- Zone fares eliminated on TTC services within Metro Toronto.
- Sunday/Holiday Pass is introduced, valid for family or group travel.
- GO Transit dial-a-bus service begins in North York, and operates until 1976. Service provided under contract by TTC using mini-buses.
1972
- Streetcar abandonment programme is canceled, and work begins to rebuild and retain the streetcar network.
1970
- Last year that fare revenues meet TTC operating expenses.
- Senior citizen fares introduced.
- TTC service suspended during 12-day strike.
- GO Transit regional bus service begins. Most service operated under contract by Gray Coach Lines, until 1989.
1969
- University Subway is closed and replaced by buses between Union Station and St George Station, during the late evenings and on Sundays.
1968
- Bloor-Danforth Subway extended west to Islington Station and east to Warden Station.
1966
- Streetcar abandonment programme is approved; all streetcars are expected to be replaced by buses by 1980.
- Bloor-Danforth Subway opens between Keele Station and Woodbine Station.
1963
- Last Peter Witt streetcars retired from regular service.
1963
- University Subway opens between Union Station and St George Station.
1962
- First 23-metre-long Canadian-designed aluminium-bodied subway cars enter service.
1961
- The Metro Toronto parks department takes over all Toronto Island ferry service.
1955
- First TTC commuter parking lot opens, at St Clair Station.
1954
- Toronto Transportation Commission is renamed Toronto Transit Commission.
- Yonge Subway opens between Union Station and Eglinton Station.
- TTC becomes the sole provider of public transit in Metro Toronto, and takes over operation of the bus routes operated by the privately-owned Danforth Bus Lines, Hollinger Bus Lines, Roseland Bus Lines, and West York Coach Lines.
- TTC takes over winter ferry service to the Toronto Islands from Metro Toronto.
1953
- The Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto is created.
- Tokens are introduced, for payment of adult fares.
1952
- TTC service suspended during 19-day strike.
1948
- North Yonge Railways radial railway service to Richmond Hill is replaced by buses.
1947
- Electric trolley coaches re-introduced.
1939 to 1945
- TTC contributes to the Second World War effort. Record numbers of passengers are carried.
- Women are employed for the first time as drivers, conductors, and in maintenance positions.
1938
- First of 745 Presidents' Conference Committee ("PCC" or "Red Rocket") streetcars enter service.
1937
- First diesel-electric hybrid coaches enter Gray Coach Lines service.
1936
- Radial railway service to Scarborough is replaced by buses.
1935
- Radial railway service to Port Credit is replaced by buses.
1933
- White poles with red bands at top and bottom introduced as marker for TTC streetcar and bus stops.
1931
- Gray Coach Lines intercity coach terminal opens at Bay Street and Dundas Street.
1930
- TTC operates, under contract, the municipally-owned North Yonge Railways radial railway line to Richmond Hill.
1930
- Radial railway service to Lake Simcoe is replaced by buses.
1927
- The City purchases the Toronto Islands ferry operation from the privately-owned Toronto Ferry Company. TTC operates ferry service to the Toronto Islands during the spring, summer, and fall, and the City operates winter service.
- TTC operates, under contract, the municipally-owned York Township Railways streetcar routes.
- TTC takes over the City-owned Hydro Electric Railways – Toronto & York Division interurban radial railway lines outside the City of Toronto to Port Credit, Lake Simcoe, and Scarborough.
- Gray Coach Lines, the TTC's intercity bus operation, is incorporated.
1923
- TTC takes over the Canadian National Railways -owned Toronto Suburban Railway Company local streetcar routes.
- First gasoline-electric hybrid bus enters service, and is used until 1926.
1922
- First electric trolley coaches enter service, and are used until 1925.
- TTC takes over the City-owned Toronto & York Radial Railway local streetcar route on Yonge Street.
1921
- Toronto Transportation Commission begins operation, taking over the operations of the Toronto Railway Company, the Toronto Civic Railway, and parts of the City-owned Toronto & York Radial Railway. Nine separate fare systems were replaced by one TTC fare system.
- First of 575 new "Peter Witt" streetcars enter service. A multi-year project begins to rebuild worn out streetcar track and other facilities.
- First motor buses are introduced.
1920
- Toronto Transportation Commission is established, and begins planning for municipal operation of transit service after the expiry of the Toronto Railway Company's 30-year franchise.
1912
- Toronto Civic Railway, a City department, begins operation of several new streetcar routes in developing areas of Toronto.
1894
- Last horse-drawn streetcar is withdrawn.
1892
- First electric streetcar in Toronto is operated, on Church Street. Conversion of the entire system to electric operation begins.
1891
- Transit service is briefly operated by the City before a new 30-year franchise is granted, to the privately-owned Toronto Railway Company.
1861
- The privately-owned Toronto Street Railway Company is granted a 30-year franchise by the City of Toronto to operate public transit. Horse-drawn streetcars provide the service in the summer, and horse-drawn sleighs are used in the winter.
TTC Rapid Transit and Streetcar Official Opening Dates
Opening | Date |
---|---|
Yonge Subway (Union Station to Eglinton Station) | March 30, 1954 |
University Subway (Union Station to St George Station) | February 28, 1963 |
Bloor-Danforth Subway (Keele Station to Woodbine Station) | February 25, 1966 |
Bloor-Danforth Subway extensions to Islington Station and Warden Station | May 10, 1968 |
Yonge Subway extension to York Mills Station | March 30, 1973 |
Yonge Subway extension to Finch Station | March 29, 1974 |
Spadina Subway (St George Station to Wilson Station) | January 27, 1978 |
Bloor-Danforth Subway extensions to Kipling Station and Kennedy Station | November 21, 1980 |
Scarborough RT (Kennedy Station to McCowan Station) | March 22, 1985 |
North York Centre Station | June 18, 1987 |
Harbourfront streetcar (Union Station to Queens Quay & Spadina) | June 22, 1990 |
Spadina Subway extension to Downsview Station | March 31, 1996 |
Spadina streetcar (Spadina Station to Union Station) | July 27, 1997 |
Harbourfront streetcar extension to Exhibition | July 21, 2000 |
Sheppard Subway (Sheppard-Yonge Station to Don Mills Station) | November 22, 2002 |
York University busway (Downsview Station to York University) | November 20, 2009 |

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