Who's Still Riding Transit During the Pandemic? Evidence From Toronto

Transit routes used by workers in Toronto heading to industrial jobs have still been crowded with riders during the coronavirus pandemic.

1 minute read

April 9, 2020, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Toronto Transit Commission

Bus riders use the TTC on March 16, 2020, before the worst of the coronavirus pandemic had struck. | ThirdFloorDraft / Shutterstock

Ben Spurr reports from Toronto, where the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is providing commuting service for essential workers through the pandemic, leading advocates to call for better service on crowded routes.

Local blogger and transit advocate Sean Marshall mapped the busy TTC routes in the city, where riders are still relying on service despite a reported 80 percent dip in ridership, locating the busiest routes in industrial areas populated by a high concentration of warehouses, food processing plants, light industrial facilities, and industrial bakeries. The jobs tend to pay low wages relative to other sectors of Toronto's economy, according to the article.

As a response to the current state of transit ridership in the city, the TTC announced on April 1 that it would add "at least 47 buses to 15 of its crowded bus routes during busy morning periods," reports Spurr. "The agency said it would monitor crowding, and the routes receiving extra service would change as needed."


Tuesday, April 7, 2020 in The Star

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

5 hours ago - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

6 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

7 hours ago - Next City