Local 113 & Transit Milestones 1980 to 1999 1980 - Bloor-Danforth line is extended east to Kennedy and west to Kipling. Subway system now totals 76.2 km of route. - Metropass introduced - Route names on PCC cars replaced by route numbers, conforming with the CLRV standard. - 30 foot Orion 1 buses introduced but prove to be unsatisfactory (standard 40-foot vehicles preferred) and all are withdrawn by 1990. - GCL Lakeshore Garage opens Jan. 1, replacing outdated Sherbourne Garage. After GCL sold in 1990 Wheel-Trans occupies site. 1982 - Local 113 organizes drivers of Wheel-Trans, operated by All-Way Transportation Services. 1983 - Ontario Highway Traffic Act amended to govern the operation of Streetcars. Operators now required to have driver's licence and are subject to normal penalties under the Act. - Malvern Division Opens - Pictured on right - Click here to read Coupler Write up on Malvern - Queensway made a full division 1984 - Passengers allowed to carry bicycles aboard vehicles, outside weekday rush hours. - TTC gears up for the biggest public transit challenge of the decade: Sept. 14 - 15 Papal Visit. A special transit plan to the Papal Mass site at Downsview Air Base is organized, involving 80 per cent of Operators and Collectors. 1985 - Local 113 and managment collaborate to launch the Award of Excellence Program in Transportation, Equipment and Plant Departments, recognizing hourly rated employees for outstanding job performance. - Duncan Shop opens at Hillcrest Complex, replacing outdated Parkdale Garage - Scarborought RT opens 1986 - New pedestal fareboxes introduced, replacing the "Toronto" type box in use since 1923. 1988 - First of 52 Articulated Light Rail Vehicles (ALRV) enter service - Arrow Road division opens. - Articulated buses introduced. - TTC ridership reaches record level of 463.5 million, followed by a nine year decline in passenger trips to recession of early 1990's service cuts and continuing funding crisis for public transit. - TTC assumes full responsibility for Wheel-Trans operation. 1990 - Harbourfront Streetcar line opens from Union Station to Queens Quay and Spadina, Toronto's first entirely new streetcar line in 60 years. Refurbished PCC cars are assigned to this route. - TTC launches scheduled Community Bus Service for seniors and mobility challenged patrons. Orion II buses (similar to regular Wheel-Trans vehicles) are dedicated to this special service. - Provincial Liberal government announces Let's Move, a new blueprint for rapid transit expansion, incorporating many of the TTC's Network 2011 initiatives tables in 1985. Incoming NDP administration endorses the plan, renaming it the Rapid Transit Expansion Program and approves in 1992 a short list of projects to bebuilt first: - Scarborought RT extension - Spadina Subway extension to York University (first phase of the Yonge-Spadina Loop) - Eglinton West Subway linking the Spadina Subway to York City Centre (first phase of the rapid transit line to Pearson Airport) - Mississauga Busway, from Mississauaga City Centre to the Metro boundary near Pearson Airport - TTC sells Gray Coach Lines to Stagecoach Holding of Scotland which downsizes operations and in turns sells remaining routes to Greyhound in 1992. TTC retains ownership of downtown passenger and parcel express terminals. - Orion V introduced at Arrow Road, regular floor bus with wheel chair lift. - TTC's first air-conditioned buses for urban routes are supllied by Flyer Industries. - Proof of Payment or "POP" (honour fare system) first introduced on 501 QUEEN streetcar route. 1991 - ATU Local 113 headquaters relocated to 812 Wilson Ave. in Downsview, after many years at 61 Hayden Street. - Commission board increased to seven members, all Metro Councillors. - Transit Strike (eight days) 1992 -Province and Metro Council mandate all future transit vehicles be accessible to receive government funding. TTC lobbies for policy to be relaxed and hesitates to place large bus orders until design is proven. -New blue and grey uniforms intorduced (fifth major change in Operator's clothing since Local 113's early days in 1890s) 1993 - Trolley buses are replaced by diesel buses on two remaining electric routes, Bay and Annette. The system was in need of extensive rebuilding as well as new vehicles - financial commitments TTC unwilling to make. - NDP Government imposes Social Contract on TTC workers and other public sector employees throughout Ontario. Workers face three years of wage cuts. - Metro Toronto decides not to make TTC a municipal department. 1994 - Sheppard Subway construction begins. 1995 - Mike Harris government elected. Province supports only Sheppard Subway line of Rapid Transit Expansion Program. Massive budget cuts and loss of provincial funding force deferrment of Eglintion West line and abandonment of other RTEP projects. - 19 remaining PCC streetcars (The "Red Rockets") are retired. 1996 - Spadina Subway extension to Downsview Station opens. T-1 subway cars built by Bombardier enter service 1997 - Spadian streetcar line opens. - Orion VI Low floor accessible bus enter service 1999 - Transit Strike (two days) - Introduction of New Flyer D40LF Low Floor Buses into regular service.

Page last updated; Friday, August 01, 2008 at 01:11 PM