TTC sets record ridership - 470.8 million rides in last 12 months

The Toronto Transit Commission today announced it set an all-time ridership record from May 2008 to May 2009 of 470,883,000 rides. The TTC’s forecast ridership for 2009 is 473 million rides. The previous record was set last fall when the 12 month ridership record broke 466 million rides.

The TTC continues to expand and provide improved transit service to Toronto and the surrounding area. The Spadina subway extension will begin service in 2015; Transit City’s first line will begin construction this year on Sheppard East; new subway cars – the Toronto Rocket – will begin service early next year with 10 per cent greater capacity; increased services to all of its bus routes, matching subway hours, began last fall; and plans to replace its streetcar fleet with 204 state-of-the-art low floor streetcars are all indicative of the importance of transit to Toronto.

While the global economic recession has hit many individuals and industries hard, affordable, environmentally-friendly and safe public transit continues to thrive and be relied upon by many. The TTC is committed to its Ridership Growth Strategy and improved transit services, as are all three orders of government with their committed investments in transit.