TTC to deploy almost 200 additional buses as students return to the classroom

As more students head back to the classrooms, the TTC is taking a number of steps to ensure the safety of all riders.

October 13 is one of the dates throughout the school year that parents can switch their kids between online and in-person learning.

To accommodate the increased ridership, the TTC says they worked with school boards to determine any possible hotspots that may be created by an increase in student attendance.

An additional 191 buses have been deployed to limit any overcrowding, and more than 280 employees that were on temporary layoff have been brought back to work.

“It will be important for people to know that we are ready to manage the additional challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented,” said Rick Leary, the CEO of the TTC, in a release.

In addition to the increase in vehicles, the TTC says staff will be added to certain stations to monitor crowd levels and ensure customers are commuting safely. Masks will be mandatory for all staff while on TTC property, and the service will give out free masks in subway stations and on Wheel-Trans vehicles in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The TTC will continue to stock hand sanitizer at all stations and on every streetcar and Wheel-Trans vehicle, and will continue to routinely clean and disinfect public spaces and vehicles, they say.

“The safety of our customers and employees remains the TTC’s top priority,” said Leary. We are continuing to take a number of additional measures to meet this challenge.”