It’s official. TTC riders using the crowded 504 streetcar route will soon be able to board at any door.
Mayor John Tory made the announcement Monday at a press conference. Flanked by new TTC chair Josh Colle and TTC CEO Andy Byford, Tory said the policy will make for a smoother ride along the route.
“Almost 20 per cent of a streetcar’s route is spent servicing stops,” Tory said. “By moving to a proof-of-payment system, we can cut that time in half. The 504 streetcar carries 60,000 people every day. Starting January 1, their commute will be easier.”
Streetcar riders already board at all doors during the busiest parts of the day, however they do so at the discretion of the driver, Byford said. He added that the move will now be standard practice from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the route from Monday to Friday.
“I think the formalization of this is news and will make a difference,” Tory said.
Speaking with CP24 later, Colle added that the move will make a difference despite being common practice already.
“It’s not happening across the line, it’s not happening all day,” Colle told CP24.
He said making all-door-boarding standard practice will help “chip away” at some of the inefficiencies of the system and he said similar announcements are likely to follow for other routes.
“It’s the time where the streetcar sits at the stop where people are boarding – that’s what we’re trying to cut down,” Colle said.
The announcement comes as the TTC moves forward with implementing a proof-of-payment or honour system on more of its vehicles.
The policy rolled out on the Spadina streetcar route in the summer with the introduction of the new streetcars and the TTC is continuing to add more routes with the goal of having proof-of-payment on all streetcars by the end of next year.
The policy means that those with a monthly pass or a paper transfer can board vehicles more quickly using any door. Those who need to pay a cash fare or use a token would still need to stop by the operator.
Tory said he is “counting on riders” to do the right thing and make sure to pay their fares once the policy comes into effect. However the TTC has also said that it plans to hire fare enforcement officers to check tickets as the honour system rolls out.
Riders caught without a proof-of-payment could face a fine of $235.
Tory also said he is working actively with Byford to “accelerate” the implementation of the Metrolinx Presto Card system on the TTC. Presto card readers went into service on the new Spadina streetcars on Nov. 30. Metrolinx has said they will be rolled out to more streetcar routes and subway stations over the next year, but has not provided a timeline for the rollout.
@Josh_F is on Twitter. Remember for instant breaking news follow @cp24 on Twitter.
