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Bunching

Already, the most frequently asked question about streetcars is: “Where is it?” When the city replaces the entire fleet, Toronto will count 43 fewer streetcars. Any bunching by these beasts will wreak havoc on the network. Mr. Seto comments: “All it takes is a fare dispute or a traffic accident, and they bunch up. With a lower number of vehicles there will be a slight increase in headways, so less bunching up.” Plus, he says, the new streetcars will break down less frequently.

Fare payment

The new streetcars will run entirely on the honour system. The operator will not collect or police payment. Riders without a Metropass will have to pay cash or tokens at one of two machines on each streetcar, which will spit out a transfer. Mr. Seto said the TTC will install curbside machines at busy stops (such as the corner of Queen and Yonge streets) where passengers can pay their fare, to avoid lineups at the fare machines on board. Inspectors will board streetcars at random to check that riders are carrying Metropasses or valid transfers, as the TTC does on the Queen streetcar route, and as GO does on its trains.

Seats

The existing 15-metre streetcars count 46 seats. The new ones are twice as long, so you might assume that since 46 X 2 = 92 … but no. We get just 70 seats on the new models. The seats are also smaller, and in some cases higher off the floor. Paul Girardi, a TTC maintenance worker checking out the new streetcars Monday, comments: “These seats are for midgets.” Mr. Seto says, “People want as many seats as possible. We heard that loud and clear.” Explaining their height, he says, “There still needs to be machinery under the seats — axles, brakes and suspension.” The front aisle is narrower, but passengers needn’t board at the front.