Happy 90th Birthday, TTC!

11 posts / 0 new

Thu, 2011-09-01 15:39

Catchfire

Quote:
The TTC turned 90 years old today, so I thought I'd put a gift together in honour of our oft-maligned transit provider. The history of public transit in Toronto stretches further back than 1921, of course, but it was that year that a number of independent railway companies came together under the name of the Toronto Transportation Commission (transportation was replaced by "transit" in 1954). According to a press release the TTC sent out today — to my knowledge the only way the Commission has formally marked the event — fares were 7 cents back then.

Wow. But, you know, even after 90 years and some 28 billion riders, there are easy ways to see the TTC's connection with its past, be it via our streetcar system (still around for now), the name of our new subways (a reference to the original red rocket PCC streetcars), the remaining fishbowl buses, or the iconic branding scattered across the city. There's no doubt that Torontonians share a complicated relationship with the TTC, but that's not something to discuss at a birthday party.

Regions:

Thu, 2011-09-01 16:56

WilderMore

Drugs found onboard TTC bus involved in fatal crash

Charges may be pending for the driver of a TTC bus that crashed into a flatbed truck Tuesday, killing one woman and seriously injuring others.

Police are meeting with Crown prosecutors next week to discuss charges relating to the crash and to accusations that the driver stashed drugs on the bus, officials said.

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1047958--drugs-found-onboard-ttc-bus...

Thu, 2011-09-01 17:09

Catchfire

Wildermore, you're trolling this thread. It's becoming a habit of yours. Your post is also anti-worker, as you know, which violates babble policy, as you also know. Don't post in this thread again. And the next time you go out for a troll, I'll suspend you.

Fri, 2011-09-02 09:14

1weasel

It is shameful that the TTC cannot celebrate this milestone properly. The Ford gang has made pointing out any positive aspect of public services seem like a dirty thing. Congratulations to the TTC and to the people who work have worked for the commission over the years. We'll do our best to get this gang out so you can have a proper celebration in ten years.

Fri, 2011-09-02 09:42

DaveW

I'm so old, I remember riding on the opening day of the East-West line in 1966 (I think); still have the TTC souvenir token somewhere;

quite the thrill for a North Toronto boy getting out to the wilds of Royal York, High Park, Victoria Park (golf!) and above all the Castle Frank bridge run!! ...

well, at least we knew Eglinton stop would remain forever the northernmost spur of the subway line.... ooops!

Fri, 2011-09-02 19:01

radiorahim radiorahim's picture

Actually, when they first opened the east-west line, it only ran from Keele to Woodbine. The extensions to Islington in the west and Warden in the east weren't finished till a year or two later.

I remember streetcars on Dundas West running past Bloor to the Runnymede loop. Also vaguely remember the odd Peter Witt streetcar being put into service during CNE time. Of course I didn't know what a Peter Witt or a PCC was at the time...just remember these old, slow, noisy and clanky streetcars.

Fri, 2011-09-02 19:11

radiorahim radiorahim's picture

Peter Witt streetcar

Old Peter Witt streetcar

Fri, 2011-09-02 19:27

radiorahim radiorahim's picture

Brill Trolley Bus

"Brill" trolley bus on the Weston Road route.

Fri, 2011-09-02 22:37

Bacchus

radiorahim wrote:

Actually, when they first opened the east-west line, it only ran from Keele to Woodbine. The extensions to Islington in the west and Warden in the east weren't finished till a year or two later.

I remember streetcars on Dundas West running past Bloor to the Runnymede loop. Also vaguely remember the odd Peter Witt streetcar being put into service during CNE time. Of course I didn't know what a Peter Witt or a PCC was at the time...just remember these old, slow, noisy and clanky streetcars.

I remember all the special CNE buses the TTC had every year with long complex routes reaching everywhere so people could go

Sat, 2011-09-03 00:13

#10

radiorahim radiorahim's picture

You'll find all kinds of cool histories of Toronto transit vehicles, old photos etc. on the "Transit Toronto" site.

Sat, 2011-09-03 05:36

#11

Michelle

radiorahim wrote:

"Brill" trolley bus on the Weston Road route.

I think I remember seeing those from my grandparents' highrise apartment on Weston Road when I was really small (the early to mid-70's)! Maybe not this exact model since I'm not sure of the dates this model ran, but they were definitely trolley buses and looked pretty much like that! I remember being thrilled to ride one - but I also remember almost getting stuck on one when my grandparents (and maybe my mother?) stepped down the back steps first with me right behind. I freaked because the doors closed and I thought the bus was going to drive away with me! :) (The memory is very fuzzy, so I must have been pretty young...)