Canadian Streetcar Systems by John Smatlak

Canadian Streetcar Systems

Cities:

Vancouver

Toronto

Toronto Transit Commission

Began Operation: 1861

Route Miles: 189

Stations: Many

Org: Transit Agency

Schedule: Daily

Photo: John Smatlak

Toronto, Canada is home to North America's largest streetcar system. Toronto is one of the "legacy" systems that bucked the trend of other US and Canadian cities, and retained an extensive streetcar network. In 1989 they began expanding the streetcar system, a process which has continued into the present day. The system is well covered on other websites, but we've included a basic introduction here to encourage you to learn more.

The system is operated by the Toronto Transit Commission, a public entity that assumed operation of the city's transit services beginning in 1921, taking over from the existing municipal and private operators. As of 2008, the system includes 139 bus routes, 11 streetcar routes, 3 subway lines and one rapid transit line. Streetcars serve on some of the heaviest surface routes, using a mix of dedicated rights-of-way and traditional mixed traffic running . The system is also preparing to undergo a major expansion of rail service with the implementation of the "Transit City" plan.

Streetcar service is provided with a fleet of 248 vehicles built between 1978 and 1984. The 196 single-unit "Canadian LRVs" (CLRV) replaced the predecessor PCC streetcar which had served for more than forty years. The 52 "Articulated LRVs" (ALRVs) are a substantially larger vehicle but are built along the same basic concepts and equipment. Toronto also retains three heritage trolleys, two PCCs and a 1921 "Peter Witt" style car. System operating voltage is 600V DC, and like Philadelphia in the United States, Toronto continues to use trolley poles for current collection. All streetcar track is broad gauge 4 feet 10-7/8 inches.

TTC is now in the process of procuring a large new fleet of modern, accessible streetcars to replace the vast majority of its existing fleet. 204 new 100% low-floor cars will begin arriving in 2012, supplied by Bombardier Transportation. A rendering of the new vehicle appears below. Click here for more information on the new fleet.

Toronto streetcar map, click to enlarge

Photos


CLRV Passing the famed Maple Leaf Gardens	Much of the system retains the traditional method for streetcar boarding; passengers simply walk from the curb to the vehicle.		Pulling out onto the street from the Dundas terminal


In addition to operation in mixed traffic, many lines make extensive use of exclusive lanes to help speed up service.		Chinatown scenes along Spadina Avenue


Along College Street In Little Italy	Streetcars roll by outside the restaurant window	Passengers board on College Street	Route 504 crossing York Street


The beautiful "Old City Hall" building in downtown Toronto		The ALRV is a 76-foot articulated car	Night scene downtown with one of the heritage PCCs


Scenes along Spadina Street


Where the streetcar routes cross each other, they remain connected together in traditional fashion. These connections permit detours around line blockages. The car in the right-hand photo is detouring around a track construction project.		Bicycles and streetcars share the road on Queen Street	Car 4070 passes the Canadian Westinghouse Building on King Street.


Turning off Spadina onto Queen's Quay along the waterfront. An historic sailing ship is docked in the background.		This man-made "water cut" brought the water in closer to the land, enhancing public access to the waterfront while providing more room for a smallcraft harbor. The iconic CN Tower is in the background.


Segregated right-of-way along Queen's Quay. This style of median is "mountable" for use by emergency vehicles.	Waterfront intermodal; water taxis meet streetcars.	Additions to the streetcar system since 1989 have included a short underground section to connect with the subway system downtown.	Car 4012 has just gone through a loop, "short turning" on route 504


TTC retains three heritage cars, including this 1923 "Peter Witt" type car. It was brought out for an inspection trip by APTA's Streetcar & Heritage Trolley Subcommittee during the 2007 Rail Transit Conference


Two PCC cars are also part of the heritage fleet. These scenes are also from the APTA 2007 Rail Transit Conference. TTC makes the heritage cars available to the public for charters.			A visit to the Halton County Radial Railway museum outside Toronto offers the visitor a whole world of Toronto transit history


Interior views of a CLRV


Scenes at the corner of Spadina and King		The appearance of the streetcar right-of-way on Spadina has been further enhanced with trees.	Dog-friendly transit!
John Smatlak Photos
News / Updates / Links Official TTC website Transit Toronto website TTC-"Toronto Meet Your New Ride" website Halton County Radial Railway (the local trolley museum) Bombardier Gets Nod for $1.2B Streetcar Contract, National Post article 4/24/09
This page was last updated on 10/27/10