Ways to get people not to sit beside you:



smell bad

scratch yourself

talk or sing to yourself

place stuff on the seat next to you

take an aisle seat instead of a window seat

make yourself as wide as possible

sit in the middle of three seats

assume an intimidating posture

clip your nails — submitted by Kris, Michael Higginson and grapestain Teenagers are significantly more likely to ride at the back of the streetcar. Keep this in mind, depending on whether you like or dislike sitting with teenagers. — submitted by Michael Higginson On crowded vehicles, stand so other people's bodies will cushion a crash. — source: Post Secret When transferring lines at crossover stations, walk like you're seven feet tall. If you keep your head up, people traveling in the opposite direction are far less likely to walk directly in front if you. — submitted by Dried Fruit If you see an old person getting on and you don't want to give up your seat, close your eyes and pretend you're sleeping. — submitted by Mislav If you're on crutches and sitting in the front seat — don't get up for elderly women — even if they swear at you. — submitted by Kerry anne Tips About Patience If you board a bus or streetcar shortly before a major transfer point (e.g., Yonge Street), don't worry about getting a seat right away — rather, move to the middle of the bus, and after the vehicle empties out at the transfer point, take your pick as to what seat you'd like. — submitted by Todd Irvine Looking down the street to see if the bus or streetcar is coming is a good option if you are feeling impatient. — submitted by Michael Higginson The bus comes when it comes. — submitted by Sunny For events (e.g., parades), the TTC is usually the better way, but still set your expectations for longer than usual waiting times, especially if catching the TTC immediately after the event lets out. For those who complain about not having enough time to read, consider this extra time a bonus feature of the TTC. — submitted by anonymous If the bus is taking too long, light a cigarette, and it will appear immediately. — submitted by anonymous Getting a Seat If you get on a crowded 504 or 505 streetcar heading south from Broadview station, stand next to any elderly seated Chinese passenger. Chances are they'll get off at Gerrard — and you'll get a seat. — submitted by building babel Plan your route to get on the subway before it hits the busy stations. For example, if you're at Queen and Parliament, and you want to travel west on the Bloor subway, you could take the streetcar to Queen Station and go north to Bloor, or you could take the bus north to Castle Frank Station and then go west. By choosing the latter option, you would get on the subway before it hits the busy Yonge-Bloor intersection, and thus secure yourself a seat. — submitted by Jack Phelan On a busy streetcar, squeeze through to the back — even if it's packed with people, there are often seats still available at the very back. — submitted by Julie Fournier During peak times, if crossing over from the Spadina-University line to the Bloor-Danforth line, cross at Spadina if going eastbound (before people get on at St. George) or cross at St. George if going westbound (before people get on at Spadina). Note that if you cross subway lines at Spadina, you will have to do the long walk between the two. — submitted by m roboto If you're going east from St. George, and you can't get a seat, not to worry — most people are going to empty out at Yonge and you'll definitely be able to grab one after that. — submitted by scarberiankhatru If you have Proof of Payment (a transfer or pass), you can board the Queen streetcar through the back doors at busy intersections. — submitted by anonymous When getting on a bus or streetcar at a crowded stop (e.g., outside a college or at a major intersection), walk back one stop and get a seat before the bulk of the passengers board at the next stop. For example, if taking the 501 Queen streetcar west, walk one stop east to Victoria Street and board there. — submitted by spmarshall When taking the subway, check the edge-of-platform yellow strip. The train doors usually open where the strip is at its grubbiest. (This doesn't necessarily work if the platform hasn't been renovated recently and it's grubby everywhere.) — submitted by scruss If you have to travel the Yonge subway line during rush hour, consider taking the 97 Yonge bus instead. It takes only slightly longer, but there's a better chance of getting a seat or at least a place to grab hold. — submitted by Chris To know where the rear door will be when the bus arrives at the station, observe the wear pattern on the yellow curb. Positioned to board quickly, you might get a seat. — submitted by Bill Andersen For frequently used routes, figure out what door to stand at when the bus or streetcar pulls into the station. For a bus, you can stand at the front door, to the left of the back door, or to the right of the back door. When the bus empties, one of these doors will free up first. In many cases, sometimes to the right of the back door is the best place to stand, as the back of the bus empties out to the left of the back door, and the majority of the front of the bus empties out the front door, leaving the minority of passengers to empty out the right of the back door. — submitted by anonymous During rush hour in the morning, the TTC introduces new trains southbound beginning at St. Clair West station. The result is nearly every other train from St. Clair West is empty. If you're waiting at St. Clair West, Dupont or Spadina during a weekday morning, and you see a train that's packed with people, it's worth the extra few minutes wait for the next train. — submitted by Matthew Klug Catching the Next Train Train your ears to recognize if your train is the one that barrels into the station loudly and then starts to become quiet, or if it starts quiet and then becomes louder. This works well when the stairs are close to one end of the platform and one train is loud as it enters the station near the end you come in, while the other train is quiet as it enters the station from the other end of the platform. — submitted by groshbarr In stations with two platforms divided by the tracks, you can tell if an approaching train is yours by the noise it makes. If the screeching, clicking and clunking sounds are loud and clear, it's not your train. But if the sounds are quieter and muffled, it is your train. This is because the platform blocks the noise coming from the train's wheels and brakes as it rides directly beside it. — submitted by pjs If people are coming up the stairs or escalator on the side that you are going down, there is likely no need to rush, as you probably just missed your train. — submitted by Jonathon Markowski If people are coming up the stairs or escalator from the platform opposite to the one you are going down, and then you hear a train coming into the station, you should rush to catch it. — submitted by anonymous While paying your fare, look at the video screens in the collector's booth. Use them to judge whether your train is coming (and you should rush), your train is in the station (and you can take it easy, as it will be gone by the time you get to the platform) or the train going the opposite direction is coming or already in the station (and you know now to rush if you hear a another train coming as you approach the stairs going down). Screens are often labeled with E/B, W/B, N/B and S/B (eastbound, etc.). For frequently used stations, memorize which screen is for which direction. — submitted by Yermum If you hear a train pulling into the station while you are walking down the stairs to the platform, look to see if the people further down the stairs who can see which train it is are hurrying. If they are, you should too. — submitted by Wes Hodgson For centre platforms, while on the stairs, look at the floor at the bottom — you can sometimes see glints of the indoor lighting from the train beside the platform, and you'll be able to determine which direction the train in the station is going. — submitted by anonymous When going down the stairs to the platform, you can sometimes tell the direction the train is traveling by the wind it generates. If you feel a strong gust, it means the train is coming from the opposite direction of the stairs you are going down. — submitted by marc Know the subway stations where the trains sometimes pause (and that it's worth rushing for a train even if you are at the top of the stairs). Pause stations: Bloor, Chester, Christie (westbound), Coxwell, Eglinton, Ossington (eastbound), Royal York, Union. — submitted by bangersandmash It takes 4.7 seconds from the time the closing door chime first begins until the train door is completely closed. Pace yourself accordingly when you hear the chime. — submitted by Matthew Blackett From the outside of Lawrence station, or up above the platforms in the station, you can sometimes see northbound or southbound trains approaching — use these to gauge whether you should rush down to the platform. — submitted by David Teitel Catching the Next Bus and Streetcar If you just missed the bus, look down the street to see what the streetlight is doing at the next intersection. If the stop walking sign is blinking, run fast and you might be able to catch it. — submitted by Darryl Matton When exiting up the subway steps to catch a streetcar, listen carefully for the streetcar's distinctive hum; if it suddenly rises in pitch, this mean it's revving up and leaving. If it's low and continuous, this means it's idling and you have a chance to catch it. — submitted by gyip Sleeping Tips Carry something soft (hat, scarf, etc.) in your bag, and when you feel tired, you can put this between your head and the hard window and have a snooze. This is much more comfortable than leaning directly on a window. — submitted by anonymous If you want to catch some shut-eye on the train, you can tell when certain stations are coming up by the rumble that the train makes as it passes by a switch, or by the grinding and squealing noise it makes as it rides along a curve. e.g., if you're traveling westbound on the Bloor-Danforth line, you know Broadview is next by listening for two rumbles followed by a squeal. — submitted by anonymous Entertaining Yourself En Route If you are at the front of the first car heading eastbound toward Bay, you can see the entrance to Lower Bay Station. They leave the lights on. — submitted by drooling If you want to see Lower Bay, somehow become involved with a film or commercial shoot down there (e.g., as an extra). — submitted by Julie Fournier Taking the Spadina streetcar between Spadina and Union Stations takes you on a tour through some of the most interesting parts of Toronto — Chinatown, what should be referred to as SkyDome, and Harbourfront — without you having to pay another fare to continue on your way. — submitted by Darwin O'Connor Standing by the door while going over the viaduct between Castle Frank and Broadview Stations gives you a splendid view of the Don Valley. — submitted by anonymous Go on a tour of the Sheppard Subway line — each Station was designed by a different artist (editor's favourite: the individually signed Leslie & Sheppard tiles at Leslie Station). — submitted by anonymous Use a ride guide to make all sorts of cool transit stuff — cut them out to make buttons, covers for diaries, etc. — submitted by anonymous You are allowed to drink beer on the subway, if the Blue Jays have won the world series that night. — submitted by Michael Higginson Memorize all the subway stops in order. Sit in a place where you can see the map and close your eyes. List each stop as you pass them. Open your eyes every now and then to see if you're correct. — submitted by anonymous Play subway trivia games as you travel with friends. e.g., what stations have the word Queen in them; what stations begin with Saint; what station is between Ossington and Bathurst; what's the only station that begins with the letter F; what letters do no stations begin with? Make up questions while traveling. — submitted by anonymous Visit transit websites and then when you travel, admire the history, quirkiness and beauty of each station:



Transit Toronto

Spacing's Photo Essay: The Details of the TTC

Infiltration's The Better Way

ttcrider.ca's Quirky Stations

— submitted by anonymous The TTC occasionally adds and removes various routes, but they don't always remove their schedules. On the internet, go to www.toronto.ca/ttc/schedules/128N.htm, and you will find the schedule for Route 128 Brimley North, a route long gone. Try also /197N.htm and /171W.htm for routes 197 Yonge North and 171 Progress East. These routes no longer exist. — submitted by Jonathon Markowski If you're heading westbound from Warden Station, sit close to the back of the last subway car on a forward-facing seat on the right-hand side of the train. Between Warden and Victoria Park, the train will bend around the track. Look out the window and you will see the front of the train off in the distance. It's a neat feeling being able to see the front of the train as you're sitting at the very back. It gives you a sense of how long the trains really are. — submitted by Leo Gonzalez Observe how the bus terminal at Downsview Station looks like a mini-Pearson Airport. — submitted by Calvin So Pick up a free cardboard model of a TTC streetcar or bus at TTC Headquarters, 1900 Yonge Street (Davisville Station). — submitted by anonymous More than Just a Ride To check what time it is, press the French/English language button twice on a Bell payphone. It will almost immediately display the time. — submitted by Mason Wright and samsonyuen You can catch a private shuttle bus from Kipling Station's south parking lot to the front door of Ikea Etobicoke.

— submitted by PANDA! You can catch a private shuttle bus from Leslie's Sheppard Avenue street exit to the upper exit of Ikea North York. — submitted by Jim Tait You can take a free shuttle bus between Union Station and Ontario Place. This bus will get you to the CNE too. — submitted by rstewart You can distinguish the modern subway cars with the wider doors from the older ones by looking at the front lights of the train as it enters the station. The old car front lights are lower than on the new cars. — submitted by gleikis2004 It's sometimes possible to get cell phone reception between Eglinton Station and Bloor Station. — submitted by Rajiv O Pick up a free ride guide from the collector booths at subway stations. — submitted by anonymous You can bring your bicycle onto the subway, RT and streetcars during non-peak hours (9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. during the week, and anytime on the weekend). Certain bus routes have bike racks on the buses. See the TTC's Rack It and Rocket! website for details. — submitted by anonymous For less than $150 you can purchase a radio scanner that can monitor TTC frequencies, allowing you to stay on top of developments on the system as they happen. The knowledge you gain will allow you to re-route around problems and understand why a delay might be taking place. For more information, see Transit Toronto's TTC radio - some background information article — submitted by Rob Stewart If you're looking for something to read on the subway, and you're lining yourself up at the correct door in order to be closest to your exit escalator, board the car at the door farthest from the door you intend on eventually exiting. You can then casually stroll through the entire car from one end to the other, along the way picking up the discarded newspapers from the seats that you wish to read for your commute. — submitted by anonymous Useful Knowledge The 308 Finch East Blue Night bus arrives at Finch and Yonge every half hour on the half hour. — submitted by payroll To estimate the time of your subway journey, count two minutes per stop. For example, if you're traveling 8 stops, it should take roughly 16 minutes. This of course varies with stops. Stops towards the end of the lines take longer than 2 minutes between each station. — submitted by payroll Being familiar with the TTC route numbering scheme can aid moving around the city:



1 - 139 Regular bus routes

140 - 159 Downtown Premium Express routes

160 - 189 Regular bus routes

190 - 199 "Rocket" Express routes

200 - 299 Routes that primarily serve areas outside the City of Toronto

300 - 399 Routes in the overnight "Blue Night Network"

400 - 499 Accessible "Community" routes operated by Wheeltrans

500 - 599 Streetcar routes — source: Transit Toronto When you've been waiting for the bus for a while near the end of its route, the bus will likely come from the opposite direction you're traveling, as it will have to loop around first before heading back to the subway station. For this reason you can take it easy while you're waiting, and when you see the bus pass by you going in the opposite direction you're traveling, know the bus is just minutes away from turning around and coming up in your direction. You may even have time to go to a convenience store, if you keep your eyes on the road to see when the bus passes by you going the other way — giving you a few minutes warning. — submitted by anonymous At the end of a bus line, the bus usually doesn't return on the same street it arrived on, as it can't do a u-turn, but rather uses smaller side streets to turn around. Therefore, wait for the bus in the opposite direction you want to travel. For example, there is no stop going north at the Queen and Lansdowne intersection. Catch the bus at the stop going south, and the bus will turn around using side streets, and then come out onto Lansdowne a block north of Queen Street. — submitted by anonymous Tune into Metro Morning and Here and Now on CBC Radio 99.1 and Breakfast Television on CityTV for TTC updates before you take your trip. — submitted by anonymous Visit Transit Toronto Service Alerts. — submitted by anonymous Visit transit.toronto.on.ca for general news about transit in Toronto. — submitted by anonymous Courtesy, Please When you are sitting on the subway, and someone needs to get by you, stand up and let them by — do not just turn your knees. — submitted by m roboto Take an inside seat instead of blocking it by sitting on the outside seat. — submitted by m roboto On the escalator, stand on the right side, and walk on the left side. — submitted by tyrone When giving up your seat to a pregnant or elderly person, directly offer that person the seat as you are getting up. This avoids another person taking the seat you are generously offering. — submitted by Liza Badaloo Do not put your bag or backpack on the seat next to you — put it on your lap or on the floor in front of you. — submitted by cppainter2001 Move to the back of the bus and streetcar after boarding. — submitted by cppainter2001 When you are on the stairs, and you can see the train pulling into the station is yours, exaggerate your body language to cue those behind you so they know to hurry up. Swing your arms, etc. — submitted by Michael Higginson Keep your knees together when you are sitting beside a stranger. — submitted by cppainter2001 While buying tickets, move ass to allow others with tickets to slide by. — submitted by Lisa Smolkin Take off your backpack before boarding a TTC vehicle. — submitted by m roboto Do not obstruct exit doors on TTC vehicles — particularly in the inside doorway of a subway train. — submitted by cppainter2001 Let everyone off the TTC vehicle before trying to board yourself. Expect an elbow if you don't. — submitted by Matthew Blackett Do not put bombs in the trash cans. — submitted by Jacqueline Whyte Appleby Use the waiting time at bus and streetcar stops to dig out your fare. That way, when everyone is boarding, you won't have to find it and hold everyone up. — submitted by Anya Galkina Place used newspapers in the proper recycling bin. If you want to promote re-use, and the paper is clean, consider putting it back into its original box (if it's a free newspaper) or into an empty news box (for the free papers) if it's a paid for paper — whoever opens it will be pleasantly surprised with a free paid for paper. Don't leave it on the train as it may end up on the floor. — submitted by anonymous If you have a nice newspaper that costs money and is in good condition, leave it on the TTC for somebody else to read. — submitted by anonymous The rear doors on the new low-floor buses take a long time to close. If it will save time for everyone else, consider exiting from the front door. — submitted by anonymous Do not smoke on TTC property or at the entrance of TTC subway stations. Others deserve not to have to breathe your second-hand smoke. — submitted by anonymous Don't throw newspapers on the ground. — submitted by anonymous Don't place your cup, water bottle, etc. on the ground of the subway train. It will fall over within minutes of you leaving and roll around the train for the remainder of the day. Dispose of it and all other garbage properly. — submitted by anonymous Don't wear perfume, cologne, or other chemical fragrances on the TTC, as many people are allergic to them and you might make them ill. — submitted by Cynthia Gould Be nice to other TTC passengers and staff. — submitted by m roboto Tips to Aid You Using the TTC Subway Rider Efficiency Guide If you're on the platform, the train is paused, and you want to get into the right car to line yourself up properly at your destination's exit, you can watch the traffic signal at the end of the platform. The train won't move while it's red. The train will remain until the signal turns yellow or green. When you see it change, hop into the train using the closest door. — submitted by Jack Phelan If you're switching subways at St. George, line yourself up with the exit at your final destination Station, as the University line St. George Station is directly on top of the Bloor line St. George Station. Each train faces the same direction, so the doors are in the same place. — submitted by Jack Phelan Use the guide to get off at the least popular exit to avoid crowds. — submitted by Jessica Thompson's Boss's Husband Use the DWA sign to line yourself up to the 5th car, 1st door. Use the DWA sign on the opposite platform to line yourself up to the 2nd car, 4th door. — submitted by Mike Olivier and Geoffrey Wiseman Use the coloured dots to line yourself up at the right door:



Front of train: Red dot (your platform)

2nd car, 4th door: Green dot (opposite platform)

3rd car, 3rd door: Orange dot (your platform)

4th car, 2nd door: Orange dot (opposite platform)

5th car, 1st door: Green dot (your platform)

Back of train: Red dot (opposite platform)

— submitted by anonymous If while waiting on the platform, the train going in the opposite direction pulls into the station, you can use it to line yourself up — the doors of the opposite train will be reversed with the doors of the train going in your direction. e.g., if you want to line yourself up at the 2nd car, 3rd door, you would line yourself up at the 5th car, 2nd door of the opposite train.



1-1 lines up to 6-4

(1st car, 1st door of opposite train lines up to the 6th car, 4th door of your train)

1-2 lines up to 6-3

1-3 lines up to 6-2

1-4 lines up to 6-1

2-1 lines up to 5-4

2-2 lines up to 5-3

2-3 lines up to 5-2

2-4 lines up to 5-1

3-1 lines up to 4-4

3-2 lines up to 4-3

3-3 lines up to 4-2

3-4 lines up to 4-1

4-1 lines up to 3-4

4-2 lines up to 3-3

4-3 lines up to 3-2

4-4 lines up to 3-1

5-1 lines up to 2-4

5-2 lines up to 2-3

5-3 lines up to 2-2

5-4 lines up to 2-1

6-1 lines up to 1-4

6-2 lines up to 1-3

6-3 lines up to 1-2

6-4 lines up to 1-1

— submitted by anonymous Use the guide to win urban games, e.g., Race in the City. — submitted by anonymous When providing directions to your home, tell people what car and door they should line themselves up to at the station closest to your home. e.g., if someone is coming from the west, and you live near Pape Station, tell them to make sure they're on the 4th car and at the 3rd door when they board the train on the Bloor line. — submitted by anonymous Board the train at the exact door you want to exit and sit in a seat close to that door. Sometimes it's possible to forget that you intended to be at a certain door by the time you get to your destination, so it's best just to be close to the door you intend on exiting so there's no need to remember. As well, sometimes the car is too full to move around, and you won't be able to get to the best door to exit. — submitted by anonymous If you don't have time to line yourself up to the right car at your originating station because the train is there as soon as you arrive, transfer one car at a time between stations. — submitted by anonymous When printing maps for invitations, also include a subway platform map of the station closest to the party. — submitted by anonymous While waiting for the subway train, spend the time by walking on the platform to the best position for when you get off. Either way, you will have to walk that distance, so it's better to walk while waiting for the train instead of after you get off the train at your destination. — submitted by Mark Kalzer Download, print, cut and staple a free TTC Subway Rider Efficiency Guide. It has platform maps of all the subway and RT stations so that you can line yourself up with the exit at your destination station. — submitted by anonymous Tips for When Your Kids Start Traveling On Their Own Point out familiar landmarks to your child — like banks or churches on corners, etc. Do this for transfer points en route and for their final destination. — source: Jacquelyn Francis / Globe and Mail Ensure your child has tickets before they leave the house for the day. — source: Jacquelyn Francis / Globe and Mail Make sure your child has emergency money — enough for a taxi and quarters for a payphone. — source: Jacquelyn Francis / Globe and Mail Before your child does their main route (e.g., from home to school), have them ride the TTC a few times between your home and a close friend's house. — source: Jacquelyn Francis / Globe and Mail Do several practice trips with your children, familiarizing yourself and them with the route. — source: Jacquelyn Francis / Globe and Mail If at all possible, travel part of the way with your child. — source: Jacquelyn Francis / Globe and Mail Speak with neighbours or your child.s school to find your child a buddy to travel with. — source: Jacquelyn Francis / Globe and Mail Educate your child about transit safety features, including the designated waiting area, the emergency call phone, and the alarm bar within the subway. — source: Jacquelyn Francis / Globe and Mail Point out what a Transit Special Constable looks like and what their role is (they have the power of a police officer on TTC property). — source: Jacquelyn Francis / Globe and Mail Establish a spot in your child's bag or on their clothing where they can store extra money and carry spare transit tickets. — source: Jacquelyn Francis / Globe and Mail Determine a system or routine; know your child's patterns and when they should be home. Have them call you when they arrive home. — source: Jacquelyn Francis / Globe and Mail If it makes you comfortable, consider buying your kids cell phones. — source: Jacquelyn Francis / Globe and Mail Tips for Traveling with Young Children When riding with young children, sit at the very back or very front of the train. Turn what might otherwise be a boring commute into a fascinating journey. They love to kneel* on the seats, look out the window and watch the train roar through the tunnels.



* (they really like to stand on the seats, but if you can, encourage them to kneel to keep the seats clean.) — submitted by anonymous Stand behind your small child and over to the side as they walk up stairs and escalators. Stand tall and proud and make it clear to others that this space is for your child and that they will have to go around you. — submitted by anonymous Let your children get the transfers, pull the stop request wire, and press the stop request button. They like doing these sort of things. — submitted by anonymous For longer journeys, bring a book, a toy, something to drink and a snack. — submitted by anonymous When riding with small children, travel at the very front or very back of the train — whatever car is the furthest from the exit. This way when the train exits, you can take your time knowing your child won't be stampeded by people rushing behind you. — submitted by anonymous Use your young child to your advantage — often you'll get offered a seat because you have a child, or you may be able to butt into line because you have a child. — submitted by anonymous include "footer.php" ?>