Listen to this article
Estimated 5 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
The TTC has unveiled details of plans to get fans to and from FIFA World Cup matches, saying it will rely on a combination of extra service, express bus shuttles and later subway trains on game days.
The TTC is finalizing its “playbook” for the World Cup to ensure “smooth journeys” for fans who attend matches and the city’s Fan Festival, according to the agenda for the TTC board’s Thursday meeting. The board was scheduled to get an update on the TTC’s FIFA plans at the meeting, but ran out of time.
Josh Colle, the transit agency’s chief strategy and customer experience officer, told reporters the TTC is enhancing a “ton of service” and stress testing all of its infrastructure, employees and systems to ensure they are ready.
“We’re looking at all of our infrastructure to make sure that it can hold up in any condition, but especially when we’re welcoming the world,” Colle said.
“We’re actually getting out there and replicating what service would look like on some of those busier days. And so that’s what’s happening over the coming days and weeks.”
Toronto will host six World Cup matches between June 11 and July 19. The FIFA Fan Festival — which will feature live broadcasts of matches, food, art, music and cultural programming — will run for 22 days during that period at the Fort York National Historic Site and The Bentway.
WATCH | Toronto’s plan to handle World Cup congestion:
Toronto reveals mobility strategy ahead of the FIFA World Cup
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to kick-off in Toronto soon, many soccer fans are expected to descend upon the city. CBC’s Dale Manucdoc has more on how the city plans to handle the congestion.
The TTC will also add transit signal priority to a number of routes, Colle said, and there will be intervention by officials if needed. There will be trucks and people near certain stations to ensure the TTC can respond to problems, he said.
The TTC is also working with the city to station police and traffic wardens along key routes, “where some of those pinch points are,” to keep transit flowing, Colle said.
“If we’re going to add all this service, we want to make sure it’s moving,” he said.
Colle said an important part of the TTC’s World Cup success will involve the Fleet Street Transit Hub, which will help to get people to and from the tournament.
The hub will be located between the FIFA Fan Festival site and Toronto Stadium. It will have temporary streetcar platforms, customer amenities and queuing areas on Fleet Street between Strachan Avenue and Fort York Boulevard, the update says. Construction is expected to start later this month.
An update from Josh Colle, the TTC’s chief strategy and customer experience officer, included this diagram of the Fleet Street Transit Hub. (Submitted by Toronto Transit Commission)TTC to make improvements to specific routes
The TTC update indicates there will be improvements on specific routes to keep the system moving. These include:
The 511 Bathurst streetcar and 29 Dufferin bus will have dedicated transit lanes and increased enforcement. The 509 Harbourfront streetcar will have transit signal priority improvements on Queens Quay.The 504 King streetcar will have increased enforcement, expanded no-stopping and no-parking restrictions, and left-turn prohibitions at high volume locations.The 506 Dundas streetcar will also have expanded no-stopping and no-parking restrictions, and left-turn prohibitions at high volume locations.There will be transit signal improvements for the 63 Ossington bus and 510 Spadina streetcar.TTC to add extra Line 1 and 2 service on match days
On match days, the transit agency will add extra subway service on Line 1 and 2, and extend the time that last trains will run if matches or celebrations go late, as per the TTC’s new major events policy.
Coun. Josh Matlow, a TTC board member, says: ‘Ultimately, when we hold big major events, whether it be the World Cup, the World Series or anything else, we need to be a world class city. And world class cities make sure people can get around to those events, no matter the time, day or night.’ (Martin Trainor/CBC)
Coun. Josh Matlow, a TTC board member, said the TTC has gotten the message that people need extended transit service late at night after significant sporting events — and not just downtown.
“Ultimately, when we hold big major events, whether it be the World Cup, the World Series or anything else, we need to be a world class city. And world class cities make sure people can get around to those events, no matter the time, day or night.”
Other added service coming
According to the update, there will also be the following additional World Cup service:
The 929 Dufferin Express bus route will have extra service and express shuttles to and from Line 2 on match days.The 511 Bathurst and 509 Harbourfront streetcars will have extra service for match days and the FIFA Fan Festival.The 504 King streetcar will have extra match day service.The 63 Ossington bus route will have extra buses to ease congestion and service into Liberty Village unless Strachan Avenue is closed.Expanded service will be available on WheelsTrans in case of increased demand.If needed, there will be contingency express bus service on match days to ease any service disruptions.
Subway service operates until about 1:30 a.m. nightly, but the TTC says last trains will be later if need be.
The Blue Night Network provides overnight service throughout the city every 30 minutes or better.
Temporary overnight service will run on 311 Bathurst and 309 Harbourfront during the World Cup period.