Making Connections: Toronto Leads the way

Offering end-to end integrated journeys through seamless interchange is at the heart of Toronto’s passenger transport thinking.

Kenneth Lin is a Senior Planning Manager based in New York City, but is now currently living in Toronto. He is on assignment with the Toronto Transit Commission where he is helping to plan and deliver a new four route Light Rail Network.

Kenneth Lin is a Senior Planning Manager based in New York City, but is now currently living in Toronto. He is on assignment with the Toronto Transit Commission where he is helping to plan and deliver a new four route Light Rail Network.

The number of TTC transit stations with integrated intermodal hubs (represented by blue-green dots) can be seen in this map. These hubs are spread across the subway network.

The number of TTC transit stations with integrated intermodal hubs (represented by blue-green dots) can be seen in this map. These hubs are spread across the subway network.

The new Highway 407 station on the under construction on the York-Spadina Line extensions features a light airy headhouse with buses placed close to the subway entrance. Proposed artwork is shown on the far left wall.

The new Highway 407 station on the under construction on the York-Spadina Line extensions features a light airy headhouse with buses placed close to the subway entrance. Proposed artwork is shown on the far left wall.

The new Highway 407 station on the under construction on the York-Spadina Line extension features a light airy headhouse with buses placed close to the subway entrance. Proposed artwork is shown on the far left wall.

The new Highway 407 station on the under construction on the York-Spadina Line extension features a light airy headhouse with buses placed close to the subway entrance. Proposed artwork is shown on the far left wall.

As the Toronto subway system expands, so too does the number of integrated hubs. The new steeles West Station on the Spadina Line extension will feature a dramatic canopy. The TTC model of free transfers between bus and subway without intermediate fare checks will be applied at this station.

As the Toronto subway system expands, so too does the number of integrated hubs. The new steeles West Station on the Spadina Line extension will feature a dramatic canopy. The TTC model of free transfers between bus and subway without intermediate fare checks will be applied at this station.

Even smaller interchange stops benefit from the TTC attention to detail. At Bingham Loop—a terminus for the Route 502 and 503 streetcars— buses and streetcars meet to provide convenient cross platform transfers.

Even smaller interchange stops benefit from the TTC attention to detail. At Bingham Loop—a terminus for the Route 502 and 503 streetcars— buses and streetcars meet to provide convenient cross platform transfers.

Many of Toronto’s subway stations logically integrate different transit modes in an intuitively obvious manner for customers. For example, at St. Clair West Station the bus and streetcar share a common tunnel with bus and streetcar boarding platforms surrounding a central fare control and circulation area. Stairs and escalators to the subway platform one level below are at left. Fare payment area and turnstiles in the middle, and street exit beyond the turnstiles.

Many of Toronto’s subway stations logically integrate different transit modes in an intuitively obvious manner for customers. For example, at St. Clair West Station the bus and streetcar share a common tunnel with bus and streetcar boarding platforms surrounding a central fare control and circulation area. Stairs and escalators to the subway platform one level below are at left. Fare payment area and turnstiles in the middle, and street exit beyond the turnstiles.

M ost public transit users in urban areas do not just take individual bus and rail services. They use “the system.” And that means alighting from a metro or rail station and connecting to a bus to complete a journey, or vice versa. It’s a regular activity but not always easy.

How many cities make this process logical, convenient and user-friendly with wayfinding signage from the station exit directing people to the bus stop, with appropriate maps and supporting information to...