The TTC pulled 28 streetcars from their regular routes Tuesday afternoon because the aging vehicles struggle in extreme cold.

Buses will replace the 511 Bathurst, 502 Downtowner and 503 Kingston Rd. streetcars during afternoon rush hour and into Wednesday morning. Buses will also supplement other routes where necessary.

In a release, the TTC advised commuters that travel times would likely take longer than usual, even with the replacement service. Riders were encouraged to check nextbus.com or Transit App on their phone to get updated arrival times.

The equipment on some streetcars is more than 30 years old. The cold weather causes pneumatic air lines used in braking, door opening and windshield wiper operation to freeze.

About 200 streetcars are normally in operation on Toronto streets during peak times.

Environment Canada predicted that Tuesday’s high of -10 C would to drop to -13 C overnight in Toronto.