Steve Munro
@swanboatsteve.bsky.social
A long-standing transit activist/commentator since 1972. Blogs at http://stevemunro.ca since 2006. Winner of the 2005 Jane Jacobs Prize and 2024 CUTA Excellence Award.
Sean Marshall has a trio of articles about the appalling planning behind new GO (oops, no, SmartTrack) stations in the works. ST is John Tory's legacy poisoning Toronto's transit planning for years when more sensible alternatives were available. But Metrolinx is happy to waste the City's money.
As plans for new regional rail stations advance, Toronto is reckoning once again with SmartTrack, a campaign promise that never really went away.
But as details slowly emerge, Torontonians deserve transparency of how these new stations will actually work.
seanmarshall.ca/2025/11/04/t...
But as details slowly emerge, Torontonians deserve transparency of how these new stations will actually work.
seanmarshall.ca/2025/11/04/t...
The revenge of SmartTrack
Metrolinx is looking to serve new Kitchener Line SmartTrack stations with its UP Express trains only. It’s only fair that the transit agency comes clean to transit riders on how it will make …
seanmarshall.ca
November 8, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Sean Marshall has a trio of articles about the appalling planning behind new GO (oops, no, SmartTrack) stations in the works. ST is John Tory's legacy poisoning Toronto's transit planning for years when more sensible alternatives were available. But Metrolinx is happy to waste the City's money.
The TTC's Bunching & Gapping pilot project moves into the brave new world of AI. How beneficial this will be, or simply a distraction from basics of route management, remains to be seen. stevemunro.ca/2025/11/08/b...
November 8, 2025 at 3:51 PM
The TTC's Bunching & Gapping pilot project moves into the brave new world of AI. How beneficial this will be, or simply a distraction from basics of route management, remains to be seen. stevemunro.ca/2025/11/08/b...
At its Nov 3 Board meeting, the TTC released most of the peer review of streetcar and subway ops and maintenance by the UITP (International Union of Public Transport). It is detailed in parts, but frustratingly superficial in others. stevemunro.ca/2025/11/07/t...
November 7, 2025 at 3:49 PM
At its Nov 3 Board meeting, the TTC released most of the peer review of streetcar and subway ops and maintenance by the UITP (International Union of Public Transport). It is detailed in parts, but frustratingly superficial in others. stevemunro.ca/2025/11/07/t...
In the current TTC CEO's report, there is a claim that autos blocked the tracks 400% more in 2025 than 2024. In fact, the blocked track incidents were largely due to snowstorms in February and appallingly bad road clearing by the City of Toronto, not to scofflaw motorists. (1)
November 4, 2025 at 11:29 AM
In the current TTC CEO's report, there is a claim that autos blocked the tracks 400% more in 2025 than 2024. In fact, the blocked track incidents were largely due to snowstorms in February and appallingly bad road clearing by the City of Toronto, not to scofflaw motorists. (1)
The TTC Board will consider an interim report on management of service bunching and gapping. Results to date are mixed. stevemunro.ca/2025/11/02/t...
November 2, 2025 at 12:06 PM
The TTC Board will consider an interim report on management of service bunching and gapping. Results to date are mixed. stevemunro.ca/2025/11/02/t...
(1) TTC's 2026 Annual Network Plan is a long document, but its size masks the fact that not much will happen thanks to budget constraints. stevemunro.ca/2025/11/01/t...
November 1, 2025 at 1:50 PM
(1) TTC's 2026 Annual Network Plan is a long document, but its size masks the fact that not much will happen thanks to budget constraints. stevemunro.ca/2025/11/01/t...
Part II of my review of TTC service reliability on short routes is now available, and continues a demonstration of just how unreliable service can be especially on evenings and weekends. stevemunro.ca/2025/10/28/t...
October 28, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Part II of my review of TTC service reliability on short routes is now available, and continues a demonstration of just how unreliable service can be especially on evenings and weekends. stevemunro.ca/2025/10/28/t...
King/Dufferin reopens the evening of Oct 29. Buses resume Oct. 30. Streetcars TBA following track testing. 6-minute daytime service comes to 505 Dundas and 511 Bathurst in November (TBA). stevemunro.ca/2025/10/27/k...
October 27, 2025 at 10:11 PM
King/Dufferin reopens the evening of Oct 29. Buses resume Oct. 30. Streetcars TBA following track testing. 6-minute daytime service comes to 505 Dundas and 511 Bathurst in November (TBA). stevemunro.ca/2025/10/27/k...
Two great articles by Michel Bolduc from Radio Canada (en français).
Google them and look for the tramways nommés indésirables. Within that article about Toronto is a link to a piece about Montreal and the loss of its trams.
Google them and look for the tramways nommés indésirables. Within that article about Toronto is a link to a piece about Montreal and the loss of its trams.
October 27, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Two great articles by Michel Bolduc from Radio Canada (en français).
Google them and look for the tramways nommés indésirables. Within that article about Toronto is a link to a piece about Montreal and the loss of its trams.
Google them and look for the tramways nommés indésirables. Within that article about Toronto is a link to a piece about Montreal and the loss of its trams.
Finch LRT 30-day testing completed. Handoff to the TTC will occur by November 3. Opening date TBA. stevemunro.ca/2025/10/23/o...
October 23, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Finch LRT 30-day testing completed. Handoff to the TTC will occur by November 3. Opening date TBA. stevemunro.ca/2025/10/23/o...
The TTC seeks a consultant for design work related to the streetcar overhead system including electric switch controls ad signalling. The scope of work does not fully address problems of slow streetcar operations. stevemunro.ca/2025/10/21/t...
October 21, 2025 at 11:14 PM
The TTC seeks a consultant for design work related to the streetcar overhead system including electric switch controls ad signalling. The scope of work does not fully address problems of slow streetcar operations. stevemunro.ca/2025/10/21/t...
A review of TTC service reliability on a selection of short routes shows that problems with uneven headways occur even on routes that should be simple to manage. stevemunro.ca/2025/10/21/t... Part 1 of 2.
October 21, 2025 at 4:22 PM
A review of TTC service reliability on a selection of short routes shows that problems with uneven headways occur even on routes that should be simple to manage. stevemunro.ca/2025/10/21/t... Part 1 of 2.
The TTC's reporting of Reduced Speed Zones on the subway has become inconsistent and undercounts the number of active sites. stevemunro.ca/2025/10/17/u...
October 17, 2025 at 5:11 PM
The TTC's reporting of Reduced Speed Zones on the subway has become inconsistent and undercounts the number of active sites. stevemunro.ca/2025/10/17/u...
With subway slow orders affecting service on both lines, it's worth mentioning that info on the TTC's website has become increasingly inconsistent about just where there are preoblems. www.ttc.ca/riding-the-t... (1)
Reduced Speed Zones
www.ttc.ca
October 16, 2025 at 12:22 PM
With subway slow orders affecting service on both lines, it's worth mentioning that info on the TTC's website has become increasingly inconsistent about just where there are preoblems. www.ttc.ca/riding-the-t... (1)
A preliminary review of service changes on the TTC effective October 12. The list is much longer than the info in this morning's press release. stevemunro.ca/2025/10/09/t... I will update the article when more info is available.
October 9, 2025 at 2:46 PM
A preliminary review of service changes on the TTC effective October 12. The list is much longer than the info in this morning's press release. stevemunro.ca/2025/10/09/t... I will update the article when more info is available.
The TTC Board met on October 6 and considered among other things: CEO's report with details of bus service quality and a proposed wayfinding strategy. stevemunro.ca/2025/10/07/t... (1)
October 7, 2025 at 9:20 PM
The TTC Board met on October 6 and considered among other things: CEO's report with details of bus service quality and a proposed wayfinding strategy. stevemunro.ca/2025/10/07/t... (1)
Here's a question: there is always the question of how much NATO would respond to escalation of Russian activity in eastern Europe. What if the USA invaded the "51st state"? Can we get the Brits to burn down the White House again, preferably while occupied by agent Orange and friends?
October 5, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Here's a question: there is always the question of how much NATO would respond to escalation of Russian activity in eastern Europe. What if the USA invaded the "51st state"? Can we get the Brits to burn down the White House again, preferably while occupied by agent Orange and friends?
Service on 512 St. Clair was improved in September, and better route management was implemented. The results are mixed at best. stevemunro.ca/2025/10/05/5...
October 5, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Service on 512 St. Clair was improved in September, and better route management was implemented. The results are mixed at best. stevemunro.ca/2025/10/05/5...
Responding to a City budget increase target of $91 million in the face of a $241 million projected 2026 shortfall, the TTC has instituted a non-union hiring freeze. stevemunro.ca/2025/09/29/t...
TTC Freezes Non-Union Hiring
On Friday, September 26, the TTC issued an internal notice that there would be a freeze on all non-union hiring. This is in reaction to the need to find $141-million in savings to get the anticipat…
stevemunro.ca
September 29, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Responding to a City budget increase target of $91 million in the face of a $241 million projected 2026 shortfall, the TTC has instituted a non-union hiring freeze. stevemunro.ca/2025/09/29/t...
Now we know: the reliability of TTC eBuses is substantially lower than their diesel and hybrid fleets: stevemunro.ca/2025/09/29/b... Why has the TTC hidden this data in misleading CEO Reports for years?
September 29, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Now we know: the reliability of TTC eBuses is substantially lower than their diesel and hybrid fleets: stevemunro.ca/2025/09/29/b... Why has the TTC hidden this data in misleading CEO Reports for years?
Fall colours begin to appear in the Don Valley.
September 25, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Fall colours begin to appear in the Don Valley.
TTC's Audit & Risk Management Committee will receive a peer review of streetcar and subway assets and maintenance at its Sept. 22/25 meeting. The main report is confidential in its entirety. What are they trying to hide? stevemunro.ca/2025/09/19/t...
September 19, 2025 at 2:16 PM
TTC's Audit & Risk Management Committee will receive a peer review of streetcar and subway assets and maintenance at its Sept. 22/25 meeting. The main report is confidential in its entirety. What are they trying to hide? stevemunro.ca/2025/09/19/t...
Slow streetcar operations are due to many more factors than traffic congestion including TTC operating practices and infrastructure maintenance. stevemunro.ca/2025/09/18/t...
September 18, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Slow streetcar operations are due to many more factors than traffic congestion including TTC operating practices and infrastructure maintenance. stevemunro.ca/2025/09/18/t...
Recently I watched a PBS documentary on Richard Nixon. As a keen watcher of the Watergate scandal it was interesting to visit old times but also to see the early history including Nixon's role in the House Un-American Activities Committee and the post war red scare. (1)
September 17, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Recently I watched a PBS documentary on Richard Nixon. As a keen watcher of the Watergate scandal it was interesting to visit old times but also to see the early history including Nixon's role in the House Un-American Activities Committee and the post war red scare. (1)
TTC calls for bids on retrofitting pantographs to its legacy streetcar fleet. stevemunro.ca/2025/09/16/p...
September 17, 2025 at 1:39 AM
TTC calls for bids on retrofitting pantographs to its legacy streetcar fleet. stevemunro.ca/2025/09/16/p...