The Toronto Transit Commission said it has pulled all 35 streetcars from Queen Street on Wednesday because of braking issues and has replaced the route with as many as 90 buses.
In an update Thursday morning, TTC spokesperson Stuart Green said a total of 25 cars were found with damage overnight “so buses will continue on Queen for now.”
The TTC adds that it doesn’t know what caused the problem.
Griffiths said the issue is not with the main braking system, but the supplementary braking systems on the streetcars — all roughly in the same spot.
TTC said it will inspect the tracks along the 501 Queen Street route, west of Roncesvalles, to try and determine what is causing the damage to the streetcars.
In the meantime, it has also increased the number of streetcars along 504 King Street and 506 Carlton so that commuters have more options in case they don’t want to use the buses.
“It takes about three-ish buses to replace one streetcar, so we know it’s going to be a little bit crowded especially during peak rush hour,” Griffiths said.
“So we’ve increased the number of streetcars on parallel routes.”
Buses are unable to enter Humber Loop in Etobicoke and will divert via Windermere and Lake Shore Boulevard West in both directions, TTC said.
The TTC is asking commuters for patience as the transit agency tries to resolve the issue.
Griffiths adds there is no timeline as to when the streetcars will be back on the tracks.
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