A new report from a transit advocacy group suggests “bunching” — when multiple buses or streetcars arrive at the same time — is creating delays on dozens of Toronto public transit routes.
The report from TTCRiders, which used data collected between September 1 to November 16, 2024, found riders waited 30 per cent longer than scheduled on 41 routes due to what’s called bunching.
The group used data obtained through a freedom of information request, as well as from TransSee, a real-time bus tracking and next vehicle predictions website.
The report also found that only 10 routes across the city met the TTC’s service targets for on-time arrivals during the evening rush hour last fall.
Calls for more transparency
Shelagh Pizey-Allen, director of TTCRiders, said the way the TTC measures its performance metrics also doesn’t accurately reflect how often its buses and streetcars are arriving on time along its routes.
The TTC measures on-time performance only at end terminals. Its official service standard is to have 90 per cent of all trips depart origin terminals on time, and for 60 per cent of all trips to arrive at their last terminals on time.
“What that number shows is just whether your bus left the terminal on time. It doesn’t tell us whether it was on time the rest of the way,” Pizey-Allen said.
The TTC’s most recent report on its key performance indicators said that between Oct. 6 to Nov. 16, 2024, buses met the agency’s on-time performance targets 83 per cent of the time, while streetcars met those targets 69 per cent of the time.
TTC spokesperson Stuart Green said the agency is piloting a bunching reduction program that will look at 11 priority routes, including Dufferin Street and Don Mills, that will use on-street supervisors to ensure that vehicles are evenly spaced.
As for on-time performance metrics, Green said the agency understands that there are limitations with measuring on-time performance only at the end terminals.
The TTC board approved its 2025 budget Friday, with the promise of investing to improve service without adding costs for commuters. While there is optimism for the year ahead, the agency still needs long-term financial sustainability. CBC’s Sarah MacMillan reports.
As part of ongoing work, Green said the TTC has measured on-time performance at the midpoint on several routes, including the 47 Lansdowne and 63 Ossington, and is looking into expanding this work to additional routes.
But measuring on-time performance at the mid-point can also create issues, he said.
“Any mid-route measurement location requires space to safely allow vehicles to hold to ensure they remain evenly spaced and on schedule, as well as an appropriate location so that customers are not overly inconvenienced by holds or adjustments to service.”
Pizey-Allen said TTCRiders welcomes the initiatives and hopes the agency will consider expanding them across the transit system.
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