TTC ready to welcome the world to the Pan Am Games

The TTC is ready and excited to welcome the world and keep Toronto moving during the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games.

“On behalf of the TTC, I extend a warm welcome to all the Pan Am athletes and spectators,” said TTC Chair Josh Colle. “The TTC has been preparing for Pan Am since the Games were awarded to our great city, and we hope our visitors will find our expanded service and additional customer service representatives helpful to them when navigating the city. For Pan Am visitors, the TTC is the best way to get around Toronto.”

Surprise and Delight
The TTC has planned entertainment designed to surprise and delight our customers, welcome athletes and visitors to the city, and celebrate the Games. The entertainment includes musicians and dancers celebrating the cultures of the 41 countries participating in Toronto 2015, and will be featured at Bloor-Yonge, Dundas, Union and Downsview subway stations.

The TTC Morph characters, who will be found in high-traffic stations, are a fun and interactive way to remind customers to “be a good sport” while using transit. Customers are encouraged to get into the spirit of the Games by sharing their TTC Morph selfies and photos and using the hashtags: #TTCGameOn or #TTCMorphs. Watch this short video to find out more about the TTC Morphs: https://youtu.be/O1VJ2GWN07g

Customer Service
Customer service is a priority for the TTC during the Games, with more than 1,600 TTC Games Ambassadors deployed at 28 transit hubs (23 stations and five other locations serviced by the TTC) near Games venues, helping customers and spectators travelling through some of the busiest transit areas.

Spectators with an event ticket can travel the TTC free on the day of their event.

The TTC’s new mobile app allows customers to conveniently purchase and use day or group passes online with their mobile iOS or Android device. Use of the group pass has been extended for the duration of the Pan Am Games: For just $11.50, a group of up to two adults and four youths (13-19 years old) or one adult and five youths can travel all day until 5:30 a.m. the next day.

The TTC’s Lost Articles Office at Bay Station will have extended hours during the Games, seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., until July 28. Phone lines (416-393-4100) are open between noon and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Transit Service
The TTC will provide frequent, convenient service to Games venues in Toronto while continuing to serve our regular customers throughout the system.

Bus and streetcar service to Pan Am Games venues will be increased, with more than 50 extra buses deployed across the city to provide relief where needed.

509 HARBOUFRONT streetcar service will be increased, with 510 SPADINA streetcars turning back at Queens Quay and Spadina Street to allow for more frequent service to run between Union Station and Exhibition Loop (Pan Am Park - PAP). The 511 Bathurst route will see two of the TTC’s new low-floor streetcars deployed on the route from July 10-26.

New, temporary express bus routes will service a number of Games venues, including:

• 193 EXHIBITION ROCKET: non-stop express buses from Dundas West Station to CIBC Pan Am Park (PAP)
• 194 AQUATICS CENTRE ROCKET: non-stop express buses from Don Mills Station to CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Aquatics Centre and Fieldhouse (PAC)
• 195 JANE ROCKET: express buses from Jane Station to CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Athletics Stadium (YOR)

The 406 VENUE SHUTTLE DOWNTOWN route will provide accessible bus service from St George and Queen’s Park stations to the Ryerson Athletic Centre (RYA).

Pan Am/Parapan Am spectators may also book accessible transit by calling the Call One booking service at 1-844-727-2663 (844-PARA ONE), open from 6 a.m. to midnight daily.

A full list of Pan Am/Parapan Am increased service on bus and streetcar routes is listed at TTC.ca.

Subway service will also be increased during the Games. Sunday service will start at 6 a. m. on July 12, 19 and 26. As well, early closures north of Eglinton Station on Line 1 have been paused during the Games and will resume July 27.

The TTC wishes all athletes the best of luck, and visitors an enjoyable and safe stay in Toronto. It looks forward to delivering excellent service throughout the Games and being a transit system that makes Toronto proud.

News release issued on July 9, 2015