I Had a Layover in Toronto and Rode as Much Transit as I Could

The best way to spend four hours.
Blog: milesintransit...
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[@OntarioTrafficMan]

Growing up in Toronto one fun game with my transit nerd friends was to travel as much as possible on a single TTC token. At the time, a token represented a single "trip", so you could get on any mode as long as it was going away from the location where your transfer ticket was issued. The trick is that there were machines giving out free transfer tickets in every subway station, and at many stations buses/streetcars enter the subway station bypassing the ticket gates (since you already paid to get on the bus/streetcar). So if you keep getting new transfers, you can avoid ever going toward the location of your transfer ticket and therefore legitimately ride forever as long as you never leave the system. But there are also a decent number of cafés inside the fare paid area of subway stations so that's doable. Nowadays the TTC works with a two-hour transfer. So when you tap your Presto card, you get unlimited travel on any mode for 2h, and any other taps within that period are free. The UP Express and GO train use fare zones so I hope you remembered to tap off when you arrived at Union...

[@jacktattersall9457]

The old TTC transfer policy you describe still applies if paying using cash in the fare box and taking a paper transfer.

[@MarcoFHQ]

There's a reason why the 29 Dufferin is called the 'Sufferin' Bus'. I used to live a couple of blocks from Dufferin, on College St., and with all the bunching and the crowding I avoided that bus like the plague.

[@jiecut]

It is crazy cool that it gets that much frequency. Also interesting that the highest frequency is on the weekend. Saturday Afternoon has the highest frequency with 3 min 20s and 40 buses running the route.

[@masatowebb]

Super impressive for a 4 hour layover! You have to come back to check off Line 3, Line 4 and maybe Line 5 by then!

[@MilesinTransit]

I rode the whole system back in 2014 but that was before Vaughan!

[@johnchambers8528]

Thanks for the short tour of the many modes and frequent service that Toronto offers. It’s been years since I have visited Toronto but I was impressed with the transit system and how clean the city is. I liked your reference to the locked door in their underground walkway compared to Philadelphia. Philadelphia also has an extensive underground walkway. But unlike Toronto there is little development of stores and restaurants in the underground area. Over the years many areas of the underground walkways have been abandoned or entrances to stores or offices have been closed off. The only place where it still has reasonable retail or other activity is where our commuter train stations exist. It is a shame it was not developed since it is a great way to avoid our cold winters or extreme heat in the summer. Also our transit service even in the downtown area is no where as frequent as you experienced in Toronto, especially on Sunday or holidays.

[@JacksonBetz]

0:48 I like the implication that you weren't in Toronto until you stepped off the elevator (like Toronto was a level of a building and you started off on a different level of the building)

[@JacksonBetz]

1:04 STREETCARS!!!!!!

[@JacksonBetz]

1:08 that might very well be true! but what was the temperature like

[@JacksonBetz]

1:26 STREETCAR-CEPTION!!! I want to ride that entire-ass system, that's on my bucket-list transit destinations!!!

[@JacksonBetz]

WOAH I didn't know Toronto had subway-surface lines!!! That's so neat!!!

[@JacksonBetz]

4:35 I CACKLED when the voiceover kicked in

[@fusiontimelord]

Not sure if anyone commented on this but to anyone who isn't from GTHA (and lesser effect Southern Ontario) and wants to know how to use the Presto Card system when coming to Toronto on the GO Transit System: GO Transit is a zone based fare system, you swipe your card on the station validator as you enter your first station and as well the the station you leave from. You also get a transfer (or pay a lesser fare) when ever you change from GO > TTC (or any GTHA transit system). Miles did indeed fare evaded but most fare inspectors are cool and understanding towards tourists and out of towners, as long you don't come off as a jerk. Plus they've probably would care since you basically got off the station right after Union if they saw you.

[@MilesinTransit]

Yeah, I think I was expecting proper fare gates at Union Station! It didn't help that I was running for my train and wasn't thinking about looking for validators, haha...I'll know to try to find them next time!

[@fusiontimelord]

@@MilesinTransit Totally, while there's a lot I love about the presto card (The fare integration between GO and the many transit authorities in the GTHA and Ottawa region [Disclaimer: GO Transit doesn't reach Ottawa from GTHA but your presto card will work there as of 2022], the convenience of having a card compare to carrying subway coins and e-tickets, as well the better fare pricing in long term [For example: After 40 one way trips from Union to Adershot GO (The Terminus of Lakeshore West Line that you were on]) your fare would've dropped from 11ish dollars per fare to zero]. However the biggest drawback is that Metrolinx doesn't really do enough to prepped new users about the zone based fare system or how to use the card properly because the card is mostly cater to suburban commuters live and work within the GTHA and not everyone else that does come to the region. However as I said, fare inspectors are for the most part accommodating as I've experienced one or twice over the times I've visited Toronto for friends or events once or twice every 2-3 months. So they're pretty understanding and let you off with a warning if they believe it was a genuine mistake but this doesn't mean you still wouldn't get that $100* ticket for fare evasion. lol. * = I did found out they changed it so that first offenders will get a $35 ticket so still costly but not painfully wallet killing. Also if you like exploring more Southern Ontario transit systems, you should try out K/W/C's GTR Ion LRT, and Mississauga's Hurontario LRT as these are fairly new LRT systems in Ontario all within reach of GO Transit.

[@corsterthegreat]

Exact same tap-on tap-off system on UP Express as well. Saw the tap on in the video but may have missed the tap off! GO and UP now have open payment as well, so you can use a credit card instead of Presto on the validators. TTC soon, hopefully.

[@naturallyherb]

Hey! Hope you enjoyed your stay in Toronto! It'd be great if you had more time in the future to explore more of Canadian transit. Other cities like Vancouver or Victoria are worth exploring!

[@MilesinTransit]

This won't be my last time in Canada for sure!

[@OliversElevators]

2:04 you literally said _exactly_ what I was thinking after hearing that PA announcement. I *hate* it when transit systems use text-to-speech voices for their PA announcements. What's even worse is when a system's new rolling stock uses TTS while the old rolling stock uses real, human-recorded announcements (looking at you, Washington DC). Seriously, the new announcements on WMATA's 7000-series trains are god-awful.

[@MilesinTransit]

I'm not a "video essay" kind of guy when it comes to making content, but if I could find a way to fill a couple minutes explaining why text to speech is just the absolute worst, I would!!

[@OliversElevators]

@@MilesinTransit maybe an idea for a #Shorts video…

[@davidburrow5895]

You did evade fare on GO, but no big deal. I agree with you that the sets of 4 seats are stupid. L.A.'s Metrolink has the same set-up (and I think they got their train cars from GO).

[@tritiumlabs373]

Seems like the GO fairs kinda evaded him 😅

[@stingray1irwin0]

next time you're in town I'll help you check off -island ferries -zoomobile -ski lift in a public park -water taxi (registered public transport vehicles so they count!) -rickshaw (subsidized by tourism ontario so... I say counts!) -bikeshare -the sheppard subway which uses different length train sets and has crazy trompe l'oeil art

[@mystery_gameryt]

Hello! I'm glad you enjoyed public transit in Toronto! There's a smaller city nearby that is the polar opposite. The city is London Ontario, and some say that it has the worst public transit in North America! It would be cool to see your opinion on their transit system!

[@MilesinTransit]

Ah yes, "Fake London"! That would be cool in conjunction with the GO train that runs there, which I have to imagine is the longest commuter rail line in North America!

[@elliectroncake]

​@@MilesinTransit and you rode it a few months later :P

[@SeaBassTian]

I'm jelly that Toronto has so many modes of public transit. I wish some of the US metros would follow suit! Also love the underground tunnels they have!

[@RichardHartl]

The 29 "Sufferin" used that route thousands of times and Dufferin station too

[@jacktattersall9457]

Technically, TTC buses do not have all door boarding except when boarded within the paid area at subway stations. However, TTC drivers typically do not argue or call it out because (a) they are not required to enforce fares due to concerns over assaults and (b) because TTC buses are crazy busy. The rear PRESTO readers are in case the front ones break down (that happens at times, much less often now a days) and so people can tap when transferring in the paid area to validate their two hour transfer.

[@AA_8184_1]

Miles goes international (again)! Well done!

[@yaush_]

While trains opening all of their doors at every stop can obviously be better for boarding, in cold places especially, I prefer the button method because way less air comes in. This seems to be a mostly North American vs European difference (Although oddly in Europe some subways have the button too, I guess for consistency?). The only time I've seen the button method used in America was in Denver and Minneapolis on the light rail when it is VERY cold and on the (t) blue line for a short period a while ago for some reason.

[@pavld335]

Toronto is where I fell in love with transit as a child.

[@camerontausch7757]

its funny to see ppl admiring toronto townhouses. they're nice i guess but at this point thats just what a house looks like in my head. also i too love the ding ding dong ttc noise. you're right that the streetcars are slow- I think part of it is that the big long vehicles cant navigate the spaghetti mess of tracks as easy as the CLRVs used to so they have to slow way down at intersections. i still take em when i get the chance though, smoother ride than the bus and you can look around unlike on most of the subway. we definitely also have a problem with bus and streetcar bunching and general schedule disorder. just looked up next bus at a nearby stop and one of the buses is late 26 minutes. dont know how that even happens at 5:29 am, cant imagine its traffic lol

[@Islington_Express_Bus]

Hell yes! You made it to my city.

[@ClassyWhale]

I guess next week is . . .YUL-tide?

[@jacorp7476]

Ha

[@gamereric2189]

The announcer on both subway lines creeps me out for some reason 😭 Excited for Montreal content!

[@paulriv]

Toronto Union Station looks like a fusion of Grand Central Terminal and 30th Street Station

[@MilesinTransit]

That's a good way of putting it!

[@wombatwilly1002]

It's windy like that in Toronto because you're right on the shore of Lake Ontario.

[@andykr2253]

Fun fact the owner of the "beautiful" building at 7:06 is/was blocking an underground connection from dundas west to the bloor station but I think that's resolved now and they're finally building it

[@sambarton5963]

Okay that Canadian dollar thing made me laugh quite loudly 😂

[@jacktattersall9457]

Our $1 coins are literally called loonies (because they have a common loon, the provincial bird of Ontario on them). Thus, the $2 coins are called toonies.

[@sambarton5963]

@@jacktattersall9457 Indeed they are (I'm a former Canadian resident 😜)

[@jacktattersall9457]

@@sambarton5963 Of course. I am a Canadian resident and citizen. God save the king!

[@stephenolan5539]

​@@jacktattersall9457 Originally it was going to be a guy in a canoe but the dies got lost for a couple weeks.

[@jeffwiseman3840]

At around the two minute 30 second mark, you take the streetcar down underground. If you are ever back in Toronto, pause and take a bit more footage of the point where you start descending, and make note of the fact that there really isn’t good signage or barriers to keep cars from driving down there, which happens a couple of times a year. They end up sort of stuck on the streetcar tracks where the concrete ends.

[@illbeokay45sos]

welcome! hope you had a great time during ur layover! 🫶

[@MilesinTransit]

Thank you!

[@seansheppard8635]

Cool video! Toronto is great! Just wanted to say that if you are ever in the Toronto area again and have a day or two, you could take a GO train (or bus, both would get you there) to KitchenerWaterloo (aka Waterloo Region). Here you will find an LRT system called ION that runs from Conestoga station in the north end of Waterloo to Fairway station in the south end of Kitchener. Cheers!

[@MrCoolGuy2024]

Who lives in Toronto and rides the TTC is pretty familiar with the Subway door chime! I love the sound of the TTC subway door

[@hulltim2]

Enjoyed this - took a trip to Toronto 4 years ago by VIA Rail from Windsor (I live in Ann Arbor, Michigan so not too far). Used the King dedicated-lane streetcar a lot, and also took a GO train to Niagara Falls and rode the subway once. Was at some of the places in your video (including Exhibition GO). Want to get back to Canada this year - thinking of a loop trip on VIA’s Canadian and the Empire Builder. If I don’t do that figure I’ll at least go up the Corridor further to Montreal (can’t wait to see that video). Really enjoy your videos - let me know if you ever do the least used Amtrak station in Michigan (which would be Albion).

[@MilesinTransit]

The VIA Canadian looks INCREDIBLE! I'll let you know for Albion, keep reminding me - although I want to wait until the Detroit People Mover and Tunnel Bus are back in action.

[@hulltim2]

@@MilesinTransit People Mover is supposed to be back in April, though no word on the Tunnel Bus - even with the COVID test requirement lifted it seems there are still complications. Hoping it’s soon since right now there’s no way to cross the border there other than driving.

[@JimbobsTransportVideos]

4:35 every 4 mins on Sunday god damn that’s better then most European standards

[@jquas1965]

I was in Toronto back in September 2002, I got around on public transportation and just left my car in the parking lot at my B&B. Their public transportation was easy to navigate, it was awesome.

[@torink8229]

It’s changed so much since then. There are two new subway lines opening soon and a third one being built. The GO train is also expanding and being electrified which means faster two-way service.

[@DurhamTransitGuy]

When using Go Bus, Go Train or UP You need to tap presto when u get on and when u get off

[@himbourbanist]

damn 4 minute bus headways on a Sunday is badass

[@maircat]

I just found your channel and am honestly obsessed. I live in toronto and my honest to god dream trip is taking the go all the way to niagara falls and then walking across the bridge into new york. Just like unbelievably cool that thats possible.

[@MilesinTransit]

Thank you so much! I also love that you can theoretically take entirely local transit between Vancouver, BC and Seattle, WA with only a single hour-long walk? Definitely on my bucket list.

[@tkdbrother1977]

Dufferin 29 is the busiest bus route of the network.

[@dayanaraburrell8078]

You have to ride the amtrack Maple leaf to Toronto sometime.

[@cedricye1767]

Great video as always, can't wait for Montreal content! How do you compare the Toronto door chime (G - E - C...) to the Montreal door chime (F# - B - f#...)?

[@MilesinTransit]

Toronto is much better - it's a lot friendlier! Montreal's weird perfect intervals are so...neutral.

[@lewisparker7669]

Ah, the mair of contravision (the 'dots') strikes in the land of maple syrup as well.

[@soli82cat]

Shhhh!!! You did not have to admit you committed fare evasion 😆

[@brunhildevalkyrie]

i wonder if reece martin will watch this video

[@trainandmore]

Those nice dots are your punishment for avoiding the fair.

[@MilesinTransit]

Hahaha, fair enough ;)

[@andrewinnj]

Zoo-wee mama vroom vroom is a great name for an acapella record.

[@maxglendale7614]

Great idea for a video! Keep up the good work!!

[@MilesinTransit]

Thank you!

[@sinthujankethes]

Appreciate you for this great journey on highlighting Toronto's many different intermodal transit systems that connects the GTA and Hamilton Area. 👍👍👍 Presto Card is the best way to seamlessly access them all👌 It's a shame you didn't manage to squeeze in a ride on Bike Share Toronto because not only is it another mode 😉, it's a great one for shorts rides around the city 🚲 Also did you happen to run into any fare inspectors on the Streetcars and UP Express train? (I am a sin with paragraphs 🤭)

[@MilesinTransit]

I didn't run into any fare inspectors, no! Probably for the best on that GO train...

[@sinthujankethes]

@@MilesinTransit It happens at times, nothing to fret about. Did you know about Bike Share Toronto and would it qualify as a mode of travel of transit in Toronto or at least an exceptional one?

[@MilesinTransit]

@@sinthujankethes I think bike share is a great thing to have! I don't usually consider it a public transit mode for the purpose of activities like this, but that's not meant to discount how important it is to have!

[@sinthujankethes]

@@MilesinTransit I hear you and I don't object to your choices. 🙂 I think it may be worthy of half a point as you awarded the walk in the beginning as such🤔 But I'm glad you acknowledge its value. 👍

[@timothyschollux]

@0:10 There is no Montreal, only YUL! Anyone get's it?

[@judgesaturn507]

Is this the first time you've done a video outside the US?

[@MilesinTransit]

It is! Definitely not the last!

[@mtr801]

*C A N A D I A N D O L L A R S*

[@damiancooper3063]

There was a train going in to the loop in front of you.

[@trainrover]

l o l ... that Ms TTC robovoice still! typifying what existence post-suicide must sound like

[@Token_Nerd]

Effen A, you don’t even come and say hi…

[@MilesinTransit]

Ahh, sorry! I only had four hours!

[@Token_Nerd]

@@MilesinTransit lol no worries, 4 hrs ain’t much time anyways

[@jeffwiseman3840]

Add about the seven minute mark, you talk about getting onto the UP express, pronouncing it like the word up. Wrongo! No Torontonian pronounces it that way. You pronounce each letter: U.P. Express (short for union Pearson, as in from union train station downtown to Pearson airport, our main international airport, pronounced Peerson).

[@bryan89wr]

BC flag is legit, don't knock it

[@MilesinTransit]

Oh I'm knocking

[@Aqwerty314]

Are the GO windows tinted or did you briefly plug into the matrix

[@MilesinTransit]

Sadly the former :(

[@JimBones1990]

Q. What is the least-used statement in the English language? A. 'Isn't that the banjo player's Porsche?'

[@Nvideofilmsproductions]

tus is similar to cus

[@trainrover]

trust us: you'd have been Rotton-Ø's liveliest constituent had you just continued being yourself on that train governed by Ontario...!

[@MikeTotalDrama928]

Hi miles, I have a question. Can I ever meet you on zoom?

[@andrewmazzarini2742]

The only good provincial flags are Labrador, Québec, and Nova Scotia