Replacement buses causing headaches in Toronto

As vital upgrades are carried out, 510 route's trams were replaced with bus services and the move has proven unpopular. 

 

Streetcars were replaced by buses on June 23 to accommodate a number of upgrades including critical track work, modernizing overhead powerlines and work to prep for a future platform extension at Spadina Station. 

 

The work is expected to last until at least December. 

 

The chair of the Chinatown BIA says he’s hearing a few repeated concerns from area businesses regarding congestion, parking and rush hour traffic. There are concerns that shoppers will not visit the area down Spadina Avenue due to the increased traffic levels and unavailability of parking spaces. 

 

TTC spokesperson Stuart Green says the added buses are not the sole cause of traffic problems on Spadina. 

 

“We appreciate the congestion is frustrating for everyone on Spadina – including us. However, at the busiest times we are adding only a couple dozen buses. The rest of those vehicles are not the TTC’s,” he says. 

 

The TTC and the Chinatown BIA are continuing to monitor the situation and to develop mitagation plans inclusing limiting service at busy times, re-routing services away from the busiest areas and increasing services on other lines to help relive the pressure on the system.