Toronto sees first new streetcar route in 16 years

A new streetcar route connecting the city’s east end and west ends is hoping to give some much needed relief to the busy 504 King Street streetcar line.

The 514 Cherry streetcar will begin running Sunday and will operate every eight to nine minutes during peak times and every 15 minutes during off-peak times.

Streetcars will run between the Distillery Loop and Dufferin Gate Loop via Cherry Street/Sumach Street, King Street and Dufferin Street.

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“It’s often a packed route,” said TTC spokesman Brad Ross.

“Getting a streetcar can be a challenge because of how busy and popular it is and how many people live in both the Liberty Village but also here in the Distillery District.”

The 504 King Street streetcar is one of the city’s busiest routes and accommodates 65,000 riders daily.

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“There is a lot of development that has been happening and a tremendous need for more transit to serve the people living in the downtown area,” Ross said.

Mayor John Tory said the new route will help address Toronto’s growing need for transit.

“We have to have a long range plan,” Tory said.

“We have got to stop being the world class debating society and actually start building transit.”