The most recent TTC labour dispute felt by Torontonians was in April of 2008. Workers with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 went on strike at 12:01am on Saturday April 26th without giving notice, leaving many TTC riders stranded after a Friday night at work or on the town. If you hear that contract negotiations are beginning, prepare in advance by developing your own transit strike plan.
How to Get Around During a TTC Strike
WalkingIf you can walk to work - or wherever else it is you need to be - consider yourself one of the lucky ones. Even if it will take you an hour to walk somewhere, at least you’re getting there, and you're getting some exercise as well. This will absolutely be the best way to travel, but take extra care at intersections. Remember many people who are in their cars will be frustrated and behind schedule, so they may be more inclined to make mistakes. Stay alert, and lay off the jay-walking for a little while.
Cycling
Riding your bike is another great option, but again keep in mind that the roads are likely to be extremely busy and some tempers may be short. If you're not accustomed to riding on roads, you'll want to stick to dedicated bike paths as much as possible. If you haven't done so already, you may also want to register your bike with the Toronto Police. Registering your bicycle helps the police return it to you if it is ever stolen and recovered.
How to Register Your Bike With the Toronto Police
Check the City of Toronto's Cycling Map for route options
GO Transit
GO Transit generally will not have any extra trains or buses to add during rush hour, so expect things to be very crowded if that's when you need to travel. If you're trying to get around in the off-hours however and there happens to be a GO Station near both ends of your route, getting on the GO could be an ideal solution.
Visit the GO Transit website for stations and schedules
Taking a Taxi
Cab companies will be extremely busy, so you should plan to leave very early. Also, they'll be subject to the same traffic jams as anyone else, so expect your ride to take longer than it usually would and thus cost more. Don't forget that just like carpooling, you can save money and some space on the roads by finding someone else who's heading in the same direction as you - coworkers and neighbours are good people to talk to about this option.
Phone Numbers for Toronto Taxi Companies
416-TAXICAB - One Number for Toronto Taxis
Carpooling/Driving
Driving is going to be the only option for a lot of people, but if that’s your situation you should at least try to find as many people as possible to fill the seats. Parking is going to be at a premium downtown, so the fewer cars jostling for position the better.
Find Traffic Updates
The Best Choice is to Stay Close to Home
The best thing to do during a transit strike is to simply stay home and within your own neighborhood. That applies even if you usually drive, because there will doubtless be extra cars on the road.Of course staying home isn't always an option, but consider discussing a work-from-home plan in advance with your boss. Even if you can only manage it for a few days, that may be long enough for the strike to end. If you don't need to be at work, this can actually be a great opportunity to get to know your local retailers, restaurants and neighbors, or to spend time with family around the house.
