Happy New Year, Everyone!
I'm thrilled to share this positive update with you all. As we were all assured by the TTC and Arjun Sahota prior to the 2025 holiday season, both of our bus stops at 366 The East Mall have indeed been brought back into full service by January 4th, 2026!
Our fellow neighbour Suncica and myself attended (virtually) the TTC ACAT meeting on December 18th. The committee did indeed bring up the issue of our bus stops and that the restoration of service would be coming. I would provide the minutes of the meeting but the committee have not approved them yet, but from what the administrative assistant told me, they will be available on the ACAT website via this link in the near future: https://www.ttc.ca/All-public-meetings/advisory-committee-on-accessible-transit---acat/2025/Meeting-426-December-18?tab=0
As you can see from the companion collage photo, and I apologize for the slightly asymmetrical orientation, city crews came by on January 3rd 2026 and tacked up "Temporary Stop" signs on both the Northbound and Southbound sides of 366 The East Mall, respectively. While not pictured here, I have also attached additional "VICTORY!" posters to the bus shelter glass in the hopes of attracting people's attention and informing the community as they pass by. ^_^
While the restoration of our service is permanent, the signs themselves are temporary, until two new TTC bus poles can be installed at both stops. This is not as big of a problem for the Northbound stop, as that original pole is still there (albeit bent) with a temporary sign fastened to it, it is a slightly larger issue for our Southbound stop, which had its pole removed entirely back in October.
However, as you can see from the two bottom photos, there is a blob of red paint on the Southbound stop sidewalk directly where the pole previously was, which is marking the spot where the new pole will be installed. I noticed this paint blob (and the one on the Northbound pole) a couple of days prior to January 4th, which suggested that there was action taking place behind the scenes. Unfortunately, I do not have a timeframe on when these new poles are to be installed as of this writing.
As further evidence of our service restoration, both the Southbound and Northbound Stop ID# numbers have been re-added to the TTC's website (just choose switch direction), which you can find here: https://www.ttc.ca/routes-and-schedules/111/0
I do find it interesting to note that the Southbound stop is once again listed as accessible on the TTC's website (the Northbound is not). A lack of accessibility was originally cited by the TTC as reason for the original removal of both stops. As a reminder, Arjun said The City and the TTC will be looking into accessibility improvements for both of our stops in the future, to be done in conjunction with future civic improvements. There is no timeframe on these as of this writing.
Popular transit tracking apps, such as TransitNow which I personally use, both of our stops have also re-appeared on these GPS-tracking platforms!
The final "official" number of our petition was 520, which is completely mind-blowing to see such enthusiastic support! Thank you all truly very, very much for everyone who signed, shared, sent emails and made phone calls. This is an excellent feat that we all achieved together! Positive change being definitely possible is the lesson I hope all of us can take away from this result!
Please enjoy once again using the services of our now-restored old bus stops; I certainly will be this coming week, as university is resuming! Safe travels everyone, and all the best in the new year!
Victory Declared!
Sincerely,
Chris