Toronto – Entertainment – The TTC is shaking the wraps off its enhanced service, safety and security plans in advance of Taylor Swift’s six Eras Tour concert dates and Taylgate’24 in Toronto next month.
With traffic restrictions anticipated in the area of Rogers Centre and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, where Taylgate’24 is happening, tens of thousands of Swifites will be relying on public transit to get them to and from these events in November. In addition to the 60,000 fans at each of the Taylor Swift shows, there are overlapping events at Scotiabank Arena, adding another 10,000-20,000 people to the area every night of the concerts and Taylgate’24.
To better move and manage the massive crowds each night, the TTC has spent months coordinating with partners from the City of Toronto, emergency service providers and other transit agencies. The plans are based on the TTC’s own experience managing large special event crowds as well as learnings from cities where the Eras Tour has touched down.
In anticipation, the TTC is increasing service and staffing, and enhancing safety and security measures on Nov. 14-16 and again on Nov. 21-23.
There are no subway closures planned on these dates.
EXTRA SERVICE:
The TTC will have extra service on key routes throughout the period of the shows, with special attention being paid to the post-show surge.
From 5 to 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on show days ONLY, Line 1 trains will operate approximately every three minutes with Line 2 trains operating every four minutes.
509 Harbourfront streetcars will resume regular service between Union Station and Exhibition Loop with a minimum of four additional streetcars running on show days for a total of 11, up from the normal seven.
510D Spadina bus replacement will operate normally, with an additional 15 buses operating frequently on concert days. After the shows, these extras will run northbound direct to Spadina Station, stopping only to drop off at King, Queen, Dundas and College streets.
511 Bathurst streetcars will run from Bathurst Station to Union Station on concert nights until Nov. 17 when they will run to Union as scheduled service.
19 Bay will receive an additional 10 buses to supplement service on concert days. After the shows, they will operate northbound direct to Bay Station, stopping to drop-off only at King, Queen, Dundas and College streets.
The TTC is also making efforts to provide additional surge service where possible, including additional buses in the event of a subway service suspension.
Signage will be posted along the routes, and the TTC will prepare a special ride guide for the Eras Tour events. The information will also be available at www.ttc.ca/taylor to allow for advance trip planning.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
To maintain safe and smooth operations and in the event of an unplanned disruption or emergency, the TTC is deploying dozens of additional staff along all routes in the area of Rogers Centre and Union Station.
This includes supervisors, Special Constables and other first responders strategically located throughout subway stations in the downtown core. There will also be staff at key street-level locations to assist with directions, provide alternate route suggestions, and monitor station crowding.
Immediately after the shows, the TTC will monitor and control access to the Union Station subway entrance to ensure crowds remain manageable and to avoid platform crowding. This could lead to lines on Front Street at times, but staff will be on hand to provide information and offer alternative route suggestions. The TTC will maintain accessible access to the subway via direct connections to Union Station.
\”We know the Eras Tour concerts have been huge events with tremendous economic benefits in other cities and we are doing everything in our power to make sure the Toronto shows are a total success for everyone,\” said Mayor Olivia Chow. \”With close to a quarter million people expected in our city during this stop on the tour, public transit is going to be the best way to get to the shows and other events, and I want to thank the TTC for going above and beyond to provide more service and safer service.\”
\”We’re excited to welcome so many new and returning transit riders during special events like these,\” said TTC Chair Jamaal Myers. \”These shows are not just a great ridership boost for the TTC, but also create excitement across our entire City as we come together to celebrate and connect. In addition, these events are great for our City’s economy, including here at the TTC and all the great local businesses.\”
\”We have been speaking to other transit agencies to learn from their experiences, and we are ready to make all the concert goers’ experiences as smooth as possible,\” said TTC CEO Greg Percy. \”Our experience with playoff sports, New Year’s Eve, and other large-scale events gives me confidence that we are ready for the Eras Tour shows.”
