[drum118]

Service adjustments for TIFF begin Thursday

Sept. 3, 2025

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) returns to the city from Sept. 4 to Sept. 8, with some TTC services being impacted. Street celebrations will result in the closure of King St. W. between Spadina Ave. and University Ave. starting 5 a.m. on Thurs., Sept. 4 until 5 a.m. Mon., Sept. 8.

During this time, the 504A/304 King and 508 Lake Shore routes will be diverting as follows:

• Eastbound from King St. W. north on Spadina Ave., east on Queen St. W., south on York St., east on Adelaide St., south on Church St., then resume regular routing eastbound on King St.
• Westbound from King St. W. north on York St., west on Queen St. W., south on Spadina Ave., then back to regular routing on King St.

503 Kingston Road replacement buses will operate westbound from King St. W., north on University Ave., west on Richmond St. W., south on Spadina Ave., to regular route. Eastbound 503 replacement buses will operate from King St. W. north on Spadina Ave., east on Adelaide St. W., south on University Ave., to regular route.

Stops on King St. E. between Spadina and University avenues will not be served.

504B King streetcars will operate between Broadview Station and Church St.

Throughout TIFF, the TTC will have identifiable staff positioned at key locations to assist customers and provide information about transit options.

Regular TTC service will resume at 5 a.m. on Mon., Sept. 8, but due to red carpet events on King St., customers may experience delays during certain time periods from Wed., Sept. 10 to Sat., Sept. 13.

The TTC thanks customers for their patience during TIFF, an event that benefits Toronto’s economy and international reputation as a world-class city.

 

[nfitz]

I thought the building the Melinda street exit was in was relatively old. But I also thought there was stairs one could walk down too, so perhaps my memory accounts for little.

It has been 20 years since I realized you couldn't get in even with a pass. I don't recall the signage saying that being very clear though.

 

[DSCToronto]

I thought the building the Melinda street exit was in was relatively old. But I also thought there was stairs one could walk down too, so perhaps my memory accounts for little.

It has been 20 years since I realized you couldn't get in even with a pass. I don't recall the signage saying that being very clear though.

I think this discussion is about the exit (only) that comes out on Yonge Street west sidewalk. The Melinda exit (west of Yonge) is quite different and goes into Commerce Court/CIBC .

 

[nfitz]

I think this discussion is about the exit (only) that comes out on Yonge Street west sidewalk. The Melinda exit (west of Yonge) is quite different and goes into Commerce Court/CIBC .

Ah. I don't think i realized there's two. For done reason I never use that exit!

I can see the benefit in numbering and mapping; especially if there's still some exit- only locations.

 

[Northern Light]

Looking at the Major Projects Report on next week's TTC agenda.....I see this:

Are we facing another dig up of KQQR?

 

[DSCToronto]

Looking at the Major Projects Report on next week's TTC agenda.....I see this:

View attachment 678766

Are we facing another dig up of KQQR?

I read the report as meaning that the KQR project was over budget and these transfers are to cover it.

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

Toronto Transit Commission - Meeting 8​

Meeting Date and Status: September 10, 2025 - 10:00 AM - Scheduled (Preview) Location:Committee Room 1, City Hall/Video ConferencePublishing Status:Agenda Published

From https://secure.toronto.ca/council/#/committees/2944/26574

• TTC8.1
  

  Chief Executive Officer’s Report - September 2025​

  
  
  
• TTC8.2
  

  Approved Minutes of the Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit (ACAT) General Monthly Meetings of June 26 and July 31, 2025​

  
  
• TTC8.3
  

  Pilot - Free Transit for Grade 7-12 Student Field Trips Update​

  
  
• TTC8.4
  

  Amendments to TTC Policy 13.1.2 Advertising on TTC Property​

  
  
• TTC8.5
  

  2025 Accessibility Plan Status Report​

  
  
• TTC8.6
  

  Financial and Major Projects Update for the Period Ended June 28, 2025​

  
  
• TTC8.7
  

  Declaration of Surplus Property - 17 and 19 Dewhurst Boulevard, and 1 and 3 Strathmore Boulevard​

  
  
• TTC8.8
  

  Procurement Authorization - Supply of Uniforms and Work Clothing​

  
  
• TTC8.9
  

  Appointment to TTC Pension Plan Board of Directors​

  
  
• TTC8.10
  

  2026 Schedule of Meetings​

  
  
• TTC8.11
  

  Feasibility study of delivering a centralized on-demand accessible taxicab dispatch service through the existing Wheel-Trans service - by Chair Jamaal Myers, seconded by Commissioner Dianne Saxe​

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

TTC8.3 - Pilot - Free Transit for Grade 7-12 Student Field Trips Update​

From https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2025.TTC8.3

Recommendations​

It is recommended that the TTC Board:

1. Receive this report on the pilot program’s outcomes, including service, financial, and operational implications.

2. Approve an extension of the free transit for Grade 7 to 12 student field trips pilot program for the 2025-2026 school year, at an estimated financial impact of $25,000 in foregone fare revenue.

Summary​

In May 2024, the TTC Board approved a pilot program offering free transit for Grade 7 to 12 student field trips during the 2024-2025 school year. This report presents the results of the pilot, aligned with its objectives, and highlights specific impacts on schools located within Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs).

The program required participation agreements with Toronto’s public and separate English- and French-speaking school boards, which specified when field trips were eligible for reimbursement through the pilot program. As a result of requiring participation agreements, program uptake was lower than originally projected. Of the 531 eligible schools, 28 participated, collectively receiving reimbursement for 2,664 Youth PRESTO Tickets used on 77 field trips. While both Toronto French school boards signed agreements to participate in the pilot program, neither requested reimbursements for field trips taken during this period.

Although uptake was limited, there were notable successes that can be built upon in future years if the pilot is continued:

• One-third of participating schools were in NIAs (36%), and over half of field trips originated from these areas.
• More than 1,800 students received educational materials and participated in discussions aimed at increasing their comfort and confidence using transit.
• Survey responses indicated that more than 80% of participating teachers said the pilot incentivized taking a field trip, and 63% agreed that the program enabled an educational outing that would not have occurred otherwise.

Survey results also indicated that two-thirds of teachers lacked awareness or knowledge of the pilot program. However, among those who were aware, more than half of the teachers used the program to facilitate a field trip. Improvements to the program that could increase uptake in the future and allow for a better assessment of the program impact include:

• Increased promotion. Continue to provide materials to school boards to share with teachers and educational support staff to increase awareness of the program.
• Expanded educational materials. Update the classroom training materials to include specific information about the pilot, group travel, and how to use PRESTO Tickets on the TTC.
• Amended service parameters. Conditions have been put in place to enable this pilot to ensure no additional service is required to accommodate field trips. As pilot uptake has been lower than originally anticipated, expanding the permitted days of week, times of day, and routes could increase program utility. However, additional service may be required should the parameters be amended.
• Streamlined administration process for reimbursements. Explore ways to improve submission requirements for school boards to improve data entry, data submissions, and verification.

TTC staff recommend extending the pilot program with the current service parameters for the 2025-2026 school year to allow for comprehensive data collection and monitoring to evaluate the pilot’s effectiveness. It is anticipated that heightened program awareness and expanded educational materials will lead to increased participation, providing more robust data for evaluation of the program. Upon review of the service parameters, it may not be possible to further expand the permitted days, times, and routes without additional resources due to impacts on ridership, crowding, and resource requirements.

Financial Impact​

On May 16, 2024, the TTC Board approved an adjustment to the 2024 Operating Budget to reduce 2024 fare revenue by $500,000 to reimburse eligible field trips during the 2024-2025 school year. The Board also approved an increase in the ancillary revenue budget of $500,000, to be funded from the proceeds received from the sale of the decommissioned Scarborough Rapid Transit fleet, to offset the revenue impact anticipated from the implementation of the pilot program.

The $500,000 program budget was reflective of the potential foregone revenue if all existing field trips were eligible for reimbursements through the pilot program. There were no additional costs to add additional transit service for this program, as field trips were eligible for reimbursement only at specified days, times, and locations on the system where there is excess capacity. Program implementation and administration were accommodated through existing staffing levels. However, the pilot program was prioritized.

Approximately $6,000 in eligible field trips in the 2024-2025 school year were taken and reimbursed to Toronto school boards. If the pilot program were to be extended to the 2025-2026 school year, the estimated financial impact in terms of foregone revenue is approximately $25,000, subject to program uptake.

The Executive Director – Finance has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.

Can see a problem with "Explore ways to improve submission requirements for school boards to improve data entry, data submissions, and verification.", since there are no more school boards in the City of Toronto, allegedly.

 

[picard102]

Do as they do in Europe, increase the operating subsidies to cover it. The TTC is currently underfunded for its operations. Don't confuse with the capital budget.

Germany's public transport operating budget is approximately 25 billion euros per year, which supports various services like buses, trams, and regional trains. This investment is crucial for enhancing the economy and promoting climate action, as it generates about 75 billion euros in added value

The Canadian federal government needs to get into the act, since Queen's Park tries not to.

That's not going to happen though. Ideally all 3 levels would cover the costs and make it completely free, before paying for more police on the TTC.

 

[thettctransitfanatic]

The Royal York station bus terminal is closed until further notice due to emergency concrete and water line repairs.

The 15 Evans and 76 Royal York South buses have been extended to Old Mill Station. The 48 Rathburn and 73 Royal York buses have been extended to Bloor and Islington, turning back via Aberfoyle Crescent.

15 and 76 southbound buses are boarding south of Bloor Street on Royal York Road. 48 and 73 northbound buses are boarding directly outside the station.

The repairs will take at least a month, and are expected to end October 11th.

 

[chrisw]

Minor Line 1 outage, good communication

10:15 all trains stay, track level trespasser at Queen
10:18 trains moving again - no service Bloor to St George on Line 1
10:25 Normal Line 1 service

 

[Richard White]

The Royal York station bus terminal is closed until further notice due to emergency concrete and water line repairs.

The 15 and 76 buses have been extended to Old Mill Station. The 48 and 73 buses have been extended to Bloor and Islington, turning back via Aberfoyle.

15 and 76 buses are boarding at the south side bloor stop. 48 and 73 are boarding directly outside the station.

The repairs will take at least a month or more

Sounds like a water main break in the bus bays. I am surprised the station is not closed.

 

[thettctransitfanatic]

Sounds like a water main break in the bus bays. I am surprised the station is not closed.

Yeah given that it is surprising they are keeping the station open, but Royal York Station is fairly busy station. Closing it would mean people having to get off at dirty, under construction big time, Islington or deserted, not much nearby, Old Mill. Also, neither Old Mill or Islington are accessible stations, gotta look at it from that lens as well.

 

[Steve X]

If it broke yesterday while Bloor was closed for Taste of the Kingsway, that would have been interesting.

 

[turbanplanner]

The Royal York station bus terminal is closed until further notice due to emergency concrete and water line repairs.

The 15 Evans and 76 Royal York South buses have been extended to Old Mill Station. The 48 Rathburn and 73 Royal York buses have been extended to Bloor and Islington, turning back via Aberfoyle Crescent.

15 and 76 southbound buses are boarding south of Bloor Street on Royal York Road. 48 and 73 northbound buses are boarding directly outside the station.

The repairs will take at least a month, and are expected to end October 11th.

Wasn't the bus bay closed for multiple years due to bus bay and elevator construction?