Dundas and Carlton streetcars being replaced with buses until 2019
For those familiar with the 505 Dundas and 506 Carlton streetcar routes, you may be used to seeing buses along those lines these days.
Since the harsh winter storms stuck Toronto earlier in January, the streetcar fleet was replaced with buses. At the time, TTC Spokesperson Stuart Green tweeted that the switch was made to ensure that streetcars are available for Queen and King routes.
Extreme cold continues to impact #TTC legacy streetcar fleet. 505 Dundas and 506 Carlton operating with mostly buses this week to ensure streetcars available for busy Queen and King routes. Maintenance crews will be working hard to address all week.
— TTCStuart (@TTCStuart) January 2, 2018
Additionally, the TTC said that the streetcars had issues which were being addressed by their removal, most of which were weather related.
Due to cold weather, the 505 Dundas and 506 Carlton routes will operate with buses this week. We are addressing issues with some of our older streetcars.
— TTC Customer Service (@TTChelps) January 2, 2018
And the issue continued throughout the first week of January.
REMINDER: 505 Dundas and 506 Carlton routes operating bus service this week due to cold weather conditions and older streetcar issues being addressed. #TTC
— Official TTC Tweets (@TTCnotices) January 5, 2018
Now, it looks like the move to buses might be a long term solution for the two streetcars routes.
According to the TTC’s latest CEO report, in February, the TTC will replace the 505 Dundas and 506 Carlton streetcar routes with buses until at least 2019, “allowing those legacy cars that remain reliable and roadworthy, to be available for service on routes, like King Street, where demand is critical.”
The report, prepared by acting CEO Richard J. Leary, said that as new streetcars arrive from Bombardier, the TTC will be deploying them to King St. to address capacity issues.
“Streetcar service, generally, however, remains a challenge as we are fleet constrained,” states the report. “The extreme cold has meant some legacy streetcars are unable to meet service, requiring yet more buses to be used on streetcar routes.”
So, looks like we’ve got buses sticking around these routes for a bit longer than just these cold winter weeks.
Customers on 505 Dundas and 506 Carlton will see a mix of buses and streetcars today and the rest of the week as we address weather-related repairs. Note: tracking apps will not see all buses as they are not regularly scheduled vehicles.
— TTC Customer Service (@TTChelps) January 3, 2018