TTC unveils King St. closure plan for TIFF
Streetcar line would be split into two separate routes during four days of festival
The TTC would prefer that the city not close a downtown portion of King St. during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
But, since that train has already left the station — a city spokeswoman confirmed last night that King St. will close, but traffic and safety details are still being co-ordinated — there’s a new plan this year to service riders of the 504 King streetcar.
Instead of adding more service to Queen St. as it did last year, the TTC wants to split the 504 into two separate east and west routes for the four days King St. is closed.
There would be no transit on King St. between Bathurst and York Sts. during that period. King streetcars would run between Dundas West Station and Bathurst St. in the west, and between Broadview Station and York St. on the east end of the route.
Film festival organizers want King St. closed from Sept. 10 to 13, according to a report before the TTC board on Wednesday.
Mayor John Tory and Councillor Joe Cressy (Ward 20, Trinity—Spadina) have written to the board supporting the King St. closure to create a pedestrian corridor that was used last year for live performances, extended patios and a piano for visitors to play.
In addition to the TTC’s usual communication about service changes and closures, TIFF will cover the cost of distributing that information to residents most affected by the street closure and streetcar rerouting, their letter said.
“The TTC fully supports and understands the economic benefits of TIFF. We’re part of the city and we get all of that,” said TTC spokesman Brad Ross.
He acknowledged that it’s up to the city to decide whether to close King St. for the festival. But, “As a transit provider, we don’t support the closure of any street during peak periods for anything,” Ross said.
The TTC board report noted that splitting a major streetcar route, even temporarily, is a significant inconvenience.
However, “TTC staff believe that this course of action would be better for customers than operating a diverted, slow and unreliable service via a heavily congested Queen St.,” the report said.