TTC history

This is what the TTC looked like over the last 100 years

The history of public transit in Toronto stretches further back than 1927, but it was that year that a number of independent railway companies came together under the name of the Toronto Transportation Commission (transportation was replaced by "transit" in 1954). Fares were seven cents.

There are easy ways to see the TTC's connection with its past, be it via our streetcar system, the name of our new subways (a reference to the original red rocket PCC streetcars), the fishbowl buses, or the iconic branding scattered across the city.

Here's some of the all-time best TTC photos, videos and other memorabilia. 

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Double Decker bus, 1921

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Single deck bus, 1923.

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Single deck near Queen and Woodbine, 1923

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Streetcars in front of Union Station, 1943.

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Groundwork being laid for the Yonge line, 1949.

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An early render of Eglinton Station.

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An early blueprint for the subways. 

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An early map of the original stretch of the subway, from Union to Eglinton, 1954.

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Turnstiles at Union Station.

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A subway arrives on the King station platform.

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The logo has remained largely unchanged. 

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Outside of Union Station, 1943

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The original red for the subway was definitely something, as seen on this postcard. 

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A TTC bus in for repairs or a paint job. 

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A bus arriving at Rosedale Station, 1961.

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An art piece showcasing how the subway will look underground.

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The University side of the subway line opened in the 60s.

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Hawker Siddeley car, 1965

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A train arrives at Rosedale Station, 1966.

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PCC streetcar, 1967

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Bathurst Station, 1967

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Toronto Flyer trolley bus, 1987 (via Wikimedia Commons)

TTC commercial in 1984 via Retrontario

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New look TTC bus, 1987 (via Wikimeida Commons)

TTC commercial in 1987 via Retrontario

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Specs for the T1 subway.

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Toronto Rocket exterior.

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The Toronto Rocket!

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Jonathan Guy's TTC typeface posters

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The typographical history of the subway platform signs.

TTC Weekday Service (HD) from Kieran Huggins.

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Jose Ongpin created this posted of the subway stations' typography.

Around the Loop from Tyler Freedman.

Lead photo by

Toronto Archives. Other photos from the Toronto Archives and Wikimedia Commons. With files from Derek Flack.


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