Public Transportation System in Toronto | Ride the TTC

Toronto’s public transportation system is operated by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). The TTC operates subways, buses, and streetcars in Toronto and some of its surrounding municipalities. These three modes of transportation, are enough to serve all your transportation needs in Toronto. In fact, some even prefer to use the public transportation system in Toronto over owning a car, both by price and convenience. Toronto also offers a bike service known as Bike Share Toronto.

Public Transportation Advantages In Toronto

Toronto is Canada’s most populated city, and that includes vehicles. Traffic congestion can make it difficult to travel by car. If you plan to live in Toronto, public transit is a fast and cost-effective way to get around. Fortunately, Toronto is aware of its traffic problems and has an extensive public transportation system to make up for them. The public transit system is one of the fastest and most convenient ways to get around Toronto and its surrounding municipalities.

There are many advantages of using public transportation in Toronto. The biggest public transportation advantage is the practical cost-savings of not owning and operating a car. Depending on where you live and work in Toronto, the TTC can likely meet your transportation needs.

Another advantage of public transportation in Toronto is time. The TTC can save you a lot of time that would have otherwise been spent stuck in a traffic jam. This is especially true if you are trying to get through downtown Toronto. Even though the city of Toronto is trying to improve traffic congestion, it is still an issue.

Using Subways for Public Transportation

The TTC subway is one of the fastest ways to get around Toronto. Subways run every few minutes from 6 AM to 1:30 AM on weekdays and Saturdays. On Sundays, subways run from 8 AM to 1:30 AM.

The TTC subway system is made up of lines and stations. When you enter a station, you need to follow signs to your boarding location and pay the fare. One of the best things about Toronto’s subway stations is that the signs are easy to follow and you will not have to waste time trying to find your way around. Remember, you can always ask someone if you are confused about where to go. Frequent station announcements let you know when you arrive at your stop.

Toronto’s subway system has 70 km of track with 70 stations spread over 4 lines. As of 2024, three new lines and 60 stations are under construction. When completed, 19 km will be added to the total track distance of 96 km. Fortunately, the government is expanding Toronto’s subway system so you can expect more lines and stations.

Using Buses for Public Transportation

Even though buses don’t travel as fast as subways, Toronto’s bus system is extensive and you can get almost anywhere by bus. The TTC bus system has 141 routes covering every corner of the city. If travelling across the city, you might have to change buses but the process is quick as wait times are usually short.

Buses run every few minutes from 6 AM to 1 AM on weekdays and Saturdays. On Sundays, buses run from 8 AM to 1 AM. You likely have multiple bus stops near your residence in Toronto. If you are not sure where the nearest bus stops are, you can always check Google Maps. Just open Google Maps and search, ”bus stops”, to find all the bus stops near you.

TTC Streetcars

Streetcars provide most of the transportation needs in downtown Toronto. That is why most of the streetcar routes are located in downtown Toronto.

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You can travel by bus and streetcar. But, streetcars can be a better option. Streetcars are generally faster than buses, because of speed and they make fewer stops. Streetcars are more spacious and comfortable than buses. They provide a smoother ride because the rails are embedded in the street. Streetcars will probably be your first choice public transportation choice.  

One of the great things about TTC streetcars is that most of them run 24 hours a day. There are 13 streetcar routes in Toronto with stops every few hundred metres. These routes cover almost every corner of downtown Toronto, even extending to areas outside downtown.

Two-Hour Transfer Period

If you plan to use the TTC regularly, it’s helpful to know about the two-hour transfer period. Using PRESTO, a contactless payment system, will automatically apply the two-hour transfer period. If you transfer to another mode of transportation within those two hours, you can do so for no extra charge. If you are paying for your ride with cash, you have to get a transfer ticket which will also last you two hours. During these two hours, you can enter and exit the TTC as many times as you want with your transfer ticket.

The two-hour transfer period is useful if you want to make multiple short trips to run errands, pick up groceries, or stop for a coffee. If you are unaware of the two-hour transfer period, your trip will be more expensive. Making use of the transfer period will reduce your transportation costs.

Toronto Public Transit Fare System

You can pay by cash, credit, debit, or a PRESTO fare card. Youth (13-19) and seniors (65+) pay discounted fares and children under 12 ride for free. PRESTO is a contactless smart care that give you access to the TTC.

To access the full pricing chart, click here. Below is a brief overview of the fare system for Toronto’s transportation system.

TTC Fares	Adults	Youth (13-19)	Seniors (65+)
Debit or Credit Card	$3.35	$2.40	$2.30
PRESTO	$3.30	$2.35	$2.25
PRESTO Day Pass	$13.50	$13.50	$13.50
TTC Monthly Pass	$156.00	$128.15	$128.15

Save Money with PRESTO

PRESTO saves you money each time you use the TTC, and it’s convenient if you travel a lot in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). You can use PRESTO in Mississauga (MiWay), Brampton, Hamilton, and York, among others. You can use PRESTO in 10 other municipalities outside Toronto. Visit the PRESTO website to learn more.

The City of Toronto has resources for those struggling financially to access Toronto’s public transportation system. The Fair Pass Transit Discount Program is available to low-income families or individuals. If eligible, you get a discount on single-ride fares and a 21% discount on your monthly pass.

Compared to owning a car in Toronto, PRESTO is more affordable. According to the Canadian Automobile Association, car costs can be $8,900 – $12,000 per year in Toronto.

Public Transportation System: Bike Share Toronto

Another cost-effective way to get around Toronto is by bike. And, you don’t need to own a bike to get around the city.

Toronto has a bike rental program called Bike Share Toronto. Bike Share Toronto has over 800 stations and 9,000 bikes all across Toronto. Most subway stations also have a Bike Share station nearby. All you need to do is go to a station and rent a bike for as long as you need it. Once you are finished using your bike, return it to the nearest station.

The PBSC App For Bike Share Toronto

Bike Share Toronto has a mobile app called PBSC, available on both iOS and Android. The app maps all stations and the number of available bikes. You can even unlock a bike from the app before you reach the station for a quick and convenient experience.

Toronto’s public transportation system is a great way to get around the city and avoid traffic congestion. The transit system can help you save time and avoid getting stuck in traffic jams around the city. Knowing how the public transportation system works in Toronto will let you make the best use of the convenient and cost-effective services.

WRITTEN BY

Zain Usmani

Writer, Prepare for Canada

My name is Zain Usmani and I am a freelance content writer who currently resides in Mississauga, Ontario. I immigrated from Pakistan to Canada 5 years ago and have lived in many cities ever since. I have lived in Calgary AB, Edmonton AB, Regina SK, London ON, and Mississauga ON, while visiting over 40 Canadian cities and towns. I have a great passion for writing and I love helping people through it.

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