People in Toronto are worried about their commute as crowding returns to the TTC

With the school year back in full swing and many employees returning to in-person work, crowding on the TTC has reached a boiling point for some riders. 

Complaints regarding shuttle buses, limited vehicles on bus routes, and packed subway cars have always circulated on social media, but the reports have only multipled in the past month. 

Hey @JohnTory @TTCNewsroom #rickleary you guys recently bragged about ATC & eliminating the @onguardforyou was going to eliminate crowding & provide better service welllllll let’s ask these @cityoftoronto #voters today @blogTO @NEWSTALK1010 @NEWSTALK1010 @CBCToronto pic.twitter.com/lZHKyLazbG

— Rocco Signorile (@imthedarkknight) September 29, 2022

Several photos and videos shared to social media show streetcars and buses on varying routes so jam-packed that people can't even get on. 

@TTChelps what's happening with the 504 / B going east bound? Like 70 of us waiting at Sherbourne for 15 mins and a single 503, jam packed has come in that time. pic.twitter.com/DN4m3kGI0n

— Jason Moore (@Jayo1987) September 27, 2022

Of course, overcrowded transit is nothing new for Toronto, but it seems as though the onslaught of complaints has only increased with the start of the school year. 

@TTChelps Please run more 504C busses into the core. More than 40 of us just watched a packed bus go by and not stop at Strachen and King. Next is like 10 min away and my guess it'll be packed as well

— MikerT (@TheMikerT) September 27, 2022

One person claimed that so many buses were packed on their route, that their stop was being bypassed entirely. 

Yo @TTChelps every single bus that passes Wilson Ave & Lady York is PACKED. That means they are bypassing the stop entirely! Can we get more busses on this route?! What is going on?! #WhereAreTheBuses #Sendthebuses

— Hilary Caton (@HilaryCaton) September 14, 2022

Another person complained that confusing signage was resulting in overcrowding at a stop downtown. 

So @TTChelps is there just no service East / West at College and Spadina? The signage is incredibly confusing, and a large crowd has been waiting for nearly 30minutes

— anonymous joe (@arthistoryjoe) September 13, 2022

One person shared a photo of a crowd forming at Bathurst station and notified the TTC about the long wait times. 

Hi @TTChelps what's happening with route 511? 10+ min wait a Bathurst , huge double crowd. There always seems to be overcrowding on this route and on 7 Bathurst. When will pre covid service be restored? It's very busy. pic.twitter.com/X1egyzgqUA

— Matt (@MattY90285928) September 21, 2022

Another person suggested to the TTC to put up signs reminding students to remove their backpacks when commuting in order to prevent further overcrowding. 

@TTChelps with school starting again you might want to put more signs up on the TTC regarding students and their backpacks. It’s very rude and disrespectful to wear your backpack when on a crowded train, bus or streetcar. It allows for very little room to move.

— Redcandies (@redcandies22) September 13, 2022

The TTC acknowledged in a tweet that ridership levels are on the rise throughout the city.

The SafeTTC app allows our customers to report concerns directly to our Transit Control team so we can dispatch someone right away. In terms of overcrowding, we do understand that ridership levels are rising, and it is being looked into by our Service Planning team. ^JV💎

— TTC Customer Service (@TTChelps) September 23, 2022

The TTC reiterated that the overcrowding issue is being looked into by the Service Planning team.