TTC officially launches 514 Cherry streetcar service
The public and the media are invited to join the TTC as it celebrates the opening of the first extension of Toronto’s streetcar network since July 2000 with the official launch the new 514 Cherry streetcar service tomorrow, June 18. The new route, which begins regular service on Sunday, will operate every eight-to-nine minutes during peak periods, and 15 minutes or better at all other times, all day, every day.
Event Details: Guests and customers are invited to ride on a new, accessible streetcar along the route for one round trip, making all stops free-of-charge. TTC vintage streetcars will be on display at the Distillery Loop.
Who: Toronto Mayor John Tory, Toronto-Danforth MP Julie Dabrusin, TTC Chair Josh Colle and Waterfront Toronto Chief Development Officer Meg Davis.
When: Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 10 a.m.
Where: Distillery streetcar loop, near the intersection of Cherry Street and Mill Street.
Parking: Available at the parking lot on the south side of Mill St., east of Cherry St.
The new 514 service connects Cherry Street and the West Don Lands area in the east to Dufferin Street and the Liberty Village area in the west. 514 Cherry streetcars will run between Distillery Loop and Dufferin Gate Loop via Cherry Street/Sumach Street, King Street and Dufferin Street.
The extension of the streetcar network to Cherry Street is part of Waterfront Toronto’s wider revitalization project, and an integral part of the new West Don Lands community – the first “Transit First” neighbourhood in Toronto. The planning of the Cherry Street streetcar extension was based on the goal of having transit access within a five-minute walk of all residences in the West Don Lands and was informed by extensive public consultation.
Since 2003, Waterfront Toronto has led the effort to plan and design the streetcar extension to service the new community and the Distillery District, along with the TTC and the City of Toronto. The extension is part of the larger design for Cherry Street, which is a new street design for Toronto that prioritizes transit users and pedestrians. The Cherry Street streetcar extension was funded by the Province of Ontario, the City of Toronto and the Government of Canada.
Combined with new bus services (121 Fort York-Esplanade and 72B Pape), these changes will improve connectivity and provide more direct, comfortable, and reliable transit options for TTC riders. New bus services are:
121 Fort York-Esplanade: A new bus route will be operated, serving the southern portion of downtown Toronto. The route will operate between the Fort York Neighbourhood and the Distillery District via Union Station and The Esplanade, with a seasonal extension to Cherry Beach between May and October. This new route will replace 172 Cherry Street service on The Esplanade, Mill Street, and on Cherry Street to Cherry Beach. During the summer, one service will be operated on the 121C (Fort York-Cherry Beach via Union Station and The Esplanade) branch. Service will operate every 15 minutes or better, all day, every day.
72B Pape (Pape Station to Union Station via Queens Quay): The 72B Pape bus route will restore direct bus service from Pape Station to the downtown. New service will be operated on Queens Quay East to serve the East Bayfront neighbourhood. Service will also be increased at most times on the 72B, north of Eastern Avenue, to reduce crowding.
Quotes
“Our government is pleased to help bring the new Cherry streetcar route to transit riders. It will improve transit on King Street and bring new streetcar service to Liberty Village and the West Don Lands. This route represents the completion of a very significant piece of the transit infrastructure picture, something that is needed to help Toronto commuters and new residents of the West Don Lands neighbourhood get to work and around the city.”
- Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure
“The Government of Canada is very pleased to be funding this new streetcar line for Toronto’s next great neighbourhood, the West Don Lands. Good public transit services are essential to the success of any community and integrating this infrastructure into Waterfront Toronto’s wider revitalization efforts from the planning stages provides an excellent model for future city-building initiatives.”
- Julie Dabrusin, Member of Parliament for Toronto–Danforth, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
“When Waterfront Toronto began planning the West Don Lands, we knew transit would be a key priority in transforming the area into a great new urban community with strong connections to the rest of the city. And after 13 years of planning and construction, we’re thrilled that residents and visitors now have the 514 Cherry Street Streetcar – a convenient, reliable and environmentally sustainable transit service.”
- Meg Davis, Chief Development Officer, Waterfront Toronto
“The 514 Cherry streetcar line is an example of how we can build better neighbourhoods by providing reliable transit options for residents. Building a great future for our city starts with ensuring our ability to move around. Working together with other levels of government, we are building a reliable transit system so people can get to work on time and get home faster to spend time with their families.”
- Mayor John Tory
“The 514 Cherry Streetcar will reduce congestion and provide more frequent service along the central section of TTC's busiest surface route, the 504 King. The new route will be served by the low-floor streetcars, which will provide a more comfortable experience for our customers, and add a new east-west accessible route.”
- TTC Chair Josh Colle
“The Cherry Street project brings great transit to our newest neighbourhood and is a beautiful promenade. The successful collaboration of government partners, advised by the community stakeholder working group, has made the Cherry Street transit design part of a healthy, complete and accessible neighbourhood.”
- Deputy Mayor Pam McConnell (Ward 28 Toronto Centre-Rosedale)