TTC recognizes 29 billionth rider with free Metropass

The TTC subway is seen in this file photo.

The TTC marked a major milestone Wednesday afternoon.

Toronto’s public transit agency welcomed its 29 billionth rider during a ceremony at Queen Station in downtown Toronto.

The rider, Robert Kinsey, was given a free Metropass for 2014. Kinsey is a longtime Metropass discount plan subscriber.

The TTC was scheduled to celebrate the milestone in October but the event was pushed back a few weeks.

The Toronto Transportation Commission was established in 1920 and began operating a year later, gradually taking over routes or services provided by other transit companies.

In 1954, the Toronto Transportation Commission was renamed the Toronto Transit Commission, the same year the Yonge subway line – Canada’s first subway route – opened between Union and Eglinton stations.

Today, the TTC has the third largest ridership in North America behind Mexico City and New York.