Toronto has the slowest streetcar network on earth. Sometimes, it’s faster to walk. It doesn’t have to be this way. With smart and simple solutions along with proven technology already in use, Toronto can cut travel times, improve safety, and make sure every ride is faster and fairer.
The Common Sense Solution
We can double the speed of Toronto’s streetcars with five simple fixes:
- Smart traffic lights– Use technology so streetcars can trigger a green light when they arrive and are ready to move.
- Fewer unnecessary stops – Match the spacing of stops to international best practices to reduce stops that are too close together.
- Modern switches – Replace outdated manual switches that are up to 8x slower than new ones.
- 400 new dual-safety officers & fare inspectors – Fare inspectors and safety/security officers need to be merged and more of them need to be hired to improve safety and to ensure everyone pays their fair share. A zero tolerance approach and stiff penalties are needed to dissuade people from evading to pay their fare.
- Automated traffic enforcement – Technology exists all over the world that helps keep cars from blocking streetcar lanes, and help make the street cars move faster. It is time for Toronto to immediately implement this technology.
Why This Matters for You
- Save time every day – Trips are 22–32 minutes shorter on average.
- Reliable service – Faster trips mean streetcars show up on time.
- Fairness & safety – More inspectors = safer rides and fewer freeloaders.
- Less gridlock – Free-flowing streetcars unclog the rest of the city’s traffic.
- Better value – The plan pays for itself, generating $285M in net revenue.
What’s the Cost?
✅ Net benefit to Toronto: $110 million in new revenue after implementation.
✅ Savings for you: hundreds of hours a year back in your life.
Let’s Get Toronto Moving Again
Toronto doesn’t need another expensive study or a decade-long wait. The solutions we suggested exist right now and other cities are using them – so let’s stop dithering and get Toronto moving! We need common sense solutions that deliver faster, safer, fairer transit now.👉 Join the movement. Support the plan. Let’s unlock Toronto together.