TTC boosting service on Line 2 to pre-pandemic levels as more workers return to the office this fall

Mayor Olivia Chow says trains will arrive every 2.5 minutes during the morning rush, and there will be increased service throughout the day.

The TTC will be restoring service on the Bloor-Danforth subway line to pre-pandemic levels starting next week to accommodate return-to-office mandates that will begin this fall and winter.

In a news release, the TTC announced that customers on Line 2 will see trains arriving approximately every two-and-a-half minutes during the morning rush hour compared to the current time of three-and-a-half minutes.

The TTC said there will also be increased service along the line throughout the day.

“With more people returning to in-office work this fall, the TTC is ensuring that we can meet the demand by adding capacity in the right places at the right times,” said TTC CEO Mandeep Lali said in a written statement.

A number of Canadian companies, including four of Canada’s big banks, have ordered employees back to the office full-time in the New Year.

The Ontario government also announced in August that it would bring all public servants back to the office full-time starting in 2026.

“This is the first of several service increases that we plan to implement this fall, ensuring that we can continue to get our customers to their destinations safely and efficiently‚" Lali’s statement read.

Service will also be increased on the 72 Pape, 73 Royal York, and 94 Wellesley bus routes to “better meet customer demand.”

“Torontonians deserve better, more frequent transit, and we continue to work towards providing just that,” Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said in a statement.

“Today’s announced service increase will benefit thousands of customers who use Line 2 daily, and we look forward to continuing to deliver even better public transit for the residents of this city.”

Speaking to CP24 on Thursday morning, Chow said the change will mean shorter commute times and less crowding on the transit system.

“This is just the beginning. We will see more in November for Line 1,” she noted.