TTC to divert streetcar route for almost a week so people can gawk at celebs

The TTC's annual diversion around the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) returns next week, bringing with it almost a full week of streetcar disruption to accommodate the King Street festivities, where locals camp out for hours to get a fleeting glimpse of the Hollywood elite.

The transit agency announced that it will divert its 504 and 304 King routes around the festival effective September 10, and will not serve stops along King Street West between Spadina and University avenues.

King streetcars will divert starting on Sept. 10 at 4 a.m. and lasting until Sept. 15 at 5 a.m., as well as daily on Sept. 14 and 15 from 3 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

During the festival, westbound streetcars will divert along a route from King Street East, north on York Street, west on Queen Street West, south on Spadina Avenue and west on King Street West, before resuming the regular route.

Eastbound streetcars will divert from King Street West, north on Spadina Avenue, east on Queen Street West, south on York Street, east on Adelaide Street West/East, and south on Church Street, before turning east on King Street East and resuming along its regular route.

TTC

The 51st annual Toronto International Film Festival runs from Sept. 10-20 and will feature almost 300 films. However, for those not taking in this year's festivities, it's just another TTC headache to consider.