‘Safely and swiftly’: TTC to increase service on Taylor Swift show nights

The TTC has announced it will be increasing the number of buses, subway trains, and streetcars during Taylor Swift's six Eras Tour concerts in Toronto.

“With anticipated traffic restrictions around Rogers Centre and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, where ‘Taylgate’24’ will take place, tens of thousands of Swifites will rely on public transit to travel to and from these events in November,” the transit agency stated.

Alongside the 60,000 fans expected at each Taylor Swift concert, overlapping events at Scotiabank Arena will bring an additional 10,000 to 20,000 people to the area each night of the concerts and Taylgate’24.

The TTC will enhance service and staffing for the concert dates on November 14, 15, and 16, as well as the following week on November 21, 22, and 23.

There will be no subway closures on these dates.

The TTC will provide extra service on the following routes:

• From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and again from 11 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on concert days, Line 1 trains will run approximately every three minutes, while Line 2 trains will operate every four minutes.
• The 509 Harbourfront streetcars will return to regular service between Union Station and Exhibition Loop, with a minimum of four additional streetcars running on concert days, increasing the total to 11 from the usual seven.
• The 510D Spadina bus replacement will run as usual, with an additional 15 buses operating frequently on concert days. After the concerts, these buses will travel northbound directly to Spadina Station, stopping only at King, Queen, Dundas, and College streets.
• The 511 Bathurst streetcars will operate from Bathurst Station to Union Station on concert nights until November 17, when they will run as scheduled to Union.
• The 19 Bay route will see an extra 10 buses on concert days, with post-show service northbound directly to Bay Station, stopping only at King, Queen, Dundas, and College streets.

“The plans are based on the TTC’s own experience managing large special event crowds, as well as insights from cities that have hosted the Eras Tour,” the TTC explained.

In the event of a subway service suspension, the TTC will work to provide additional buses on routes experiencing increased demand.

Signage will be displayed along the routes, and a “special ride guide” for the Eras Tour events will be available online at ttc.ca/taylor.

Along with the increased number of buses, trains, and streetcars, the TTC will deploy additional staff at “key street-level locations” to assist with directions, suggest alternative routes, and monitor crowding at stations. Special constables and other first responders will also be strategically positioned throughout downtown subway stations.

“Immediately following the shows, the TTC will monitor and control access to the Union Station subway entrance to keep crowds manageable and prevent platform overcrowding.”