Transit ridership never recovered from the pandemic. We asked why — and what could bring them back
Toronto in February 2020 hustled and bustled in blissful ignorance.
The roads were clogged with cars, and the trains were full of people. The TTC logged 10 million weekly trips, a healthy bump from the year prior.
Then, in the span of two weeks, that motion shuddered to a halt.
In the five years since the COVID-19 pandemic stalled Toronto, much has recovered. Car congestion, to drivers’ chagrin, is back.
The TTC is an open sewer.
💥REPORT: One of the Federal Government’s highly sought-after Engineers lights his own shirt on fire on the TTC in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/jCQMPOUAHF
— Wiretap Media (@WiretapMediaCa) December 1, 2025
💥REPORT: A Black male was allegedly walking up and down the Toronto TTC platform, threatening people with a knife, and two men chased him off. pic.twitter.com/T8ZDibRbfr
— Wiretap Media (@WiretapMediaCa) December 13, 2025
This guy, who sit on his ass all day in a chair, hired by the TTC at $42.59 /he to prevent (maybe) one single $3.25 cash jump per day at Royal York. If they do “jump” he is instructed to do exactly NOTHING. The system is broken in every way. #TTC @cityoftoronto @MayorOliviaChow pic.twitter.com/mrr37dNfWr
— Johnny LaRue (@VoiceInThe6ix) December 22, 2025
