The TTC appears to be headed in a different direction under newly-elected mayor Olivia Chow, but Toronto commuters are still complaining about terrible transit service.

Mayor Chow attended a late August announcement promising increased transit service back to pre-pandemic levels after years of austerity under former mayor John Tory.

That announcement was welcome news for transit riders after over three years of reduced service on the network. However, while things were never expected to happen overnight, riders are still being forced to endure excessive wait times and sudden closures.

Eight on a Wednesday. What are we doing here man pic.twitter.com/XVIr7ijk2l

— aaron, a hate crime doer (@theyshootactors) September 7, 2023

Photos and screenshots shared to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday show waits approaching one hour for the 506 Carlton streetcar route as the line faced unexpected delays.

The real Toronto hustle.

miss u @TTCwelps pic.twitter.com/51wnCwNjrO

— I'll be @syncros@mastodon.social with you (@syncros) September 6, 2023

And even when people manage to catch that last streetcar before a day-altering 45+ minute gap, there's always the risk of the dreaded short-turn ruining your commute.

The streetcar I'm on short-turned down Broadview just after sending this

— I'll be @syncros@mastodon.social with you (@syncros) September 7, 2023

Just days earlier, riders were outraged by the sudden closure of the 512 St. Clair streetcar route to accommodate City construction projects. Only two days of notice were provided to the public before the route was replaced with buses.

2 days of notice.

The contempt the TTC has for riders is breathtaking. https://t.co/fYmpjBeKi8

— Shawn Micallef 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ (@shawnmicallef) September 1, 2023

City Council is acutely aware of the TTC's lack of reliability — which could be considered the only reliable thing about the system — and an urgent need to improve ridership for the primarily fare-revenue-funded network.

On Wednesday, council approved a recommendation for the TTC to explore "creative and imaginative ways" to lure riders back to a network gutted by pandemic-related cuts.

Recommendation for the TTC to look at “creative and imaginative ways” to bring riders back CARRIES 21-2. pic.twitter.com/TbxX7bSUvO

— Matt Elliott (@GraphicMatt) September 7, 2023

As part of the Updated Long-Term Financial Plan reviewed by council yesterday, the City is recommending that the TTC explore new but unspecified measures to attract ridership by engaging the Arts and Culture Services unit of Economic Development and Culture, and the Toronto Arts Council.