|
|
| Home > City Guide - Toronto - Getting Around | ||
|
||
|
Getting Around Public Transport Toronto has a well-developed public transport system, operated by two companies. Principal services in the city centre are run by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC; tel: (416) 393 4636; website: www.ttc.ca) and include subway and rapid transit lines, as well as tram and bus routes. Toronto’s two subway lines operate Monday to Saturday 0600-0130 and Sunday 0900-0130. The arms of the U-shaped Yonge–University–Spadina Line Subway extend from Union Station in the south to Finch and Downsview to the north. The Bloor–Danforth Subway connects Etobicoke in the west with Scarborough in the east, where the Scarborough Rapid Transit basically provides an eastward extension to the line. The east–west Shepherd Line, currently under construction, is due to open in late 2002. Streetcars (trams) and buses operate throughout the city centre 0500-0130 and are supplemented by night services. All TTC adult ticket fares cost C$2.25, although prepaid fares are cheaper at C$9 for five tokens or tickets, purchased from subway stations or newsagents. Transfers are available for switching between the subway, bus and tram. A day pass costs C$7.50 and is valid for an entire family on Sunday and holidays. GO Transit (tel: (416) 869 3200; website: www.gotransit.com) operates rail services from Union Station to suburban destinations to the east and west, as well as GO buses throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Tickets are available from GO train stations, GO bus terminals, GO transit ticket agencies and GO bus drivers. Ticket prices vary depending on distance travelled. Day passes are available. Taxis Within the city centre, taxis can be hailed at almost any time and can be found at taxi ranks or ordered by telephone. Most taxis operate as part of one of Toronto’s major dispatching companies: Diamond Taxi (tel: (416) 366 6868), Crown Taxi (tel: (416) 750 7878) or Co-op Cabs (tel: (416) 504 2667). An initial charge of C$2.50 applies, and rises according to the time and distance travelled. A five- to ten-minute trip should not cost more than C$10 or so. Drivers are commonly tipped around 10-15% of the fare. Limousines Chauffeur and limousine services are available from a number of companies, starting at around C$50 per hour for a town car and can easily rise to C$100 per hour or more for a stretch limo. Firms include Carey Limousine Canada (tel: (416) 214 1951; website: www.careycan.com) and Dynasty Limousine Service (tel: (416) 493 5579; website: www.dynastylimoservice.com). Driving in the City Traffic is heaviest during the rush hours (0730-0930 and 1630-1930), particularly on the major motorways leading in and out of the city, which can make driving to the airport a longer than expected ordeal. Toronto is laid out on an easy-to-follow grid system, with a few notable exceptions, such as the Don Valley Parkway, snaking along the ravine east of the city centre. Yonge Street, allegedly the longest street in the world, is the city’s main thoroughfare, bisecting the city centre into east and west. Its junction with Bloor Street forms the city’s most major and central intersection. Although there is a lot of street parking available, it is notoriously difficult to find a spot and many drivers opt for the simpler, although slightly more expensive, option of parking in a private car park. Car parks in the city centre typically charge around C$4 per hour with a daily maximum of C$5-15 and evening flat rates of C$4-9 (as high as C$15 near nightlife spots on the weekend). Canpark (tel: (416) 482 2203) operates a number of 24-hour locations in the city centre. Car Hire All major North American car hire firms are represented in Toronto, along with a few local ones, at numerous locations throughout the city. Those with the most central locations that accept international reservations include: Budget, 1319 Bay Street (tel: (416) 961 3932; website: www.budgettoronto.com); Discount, 730 Yonge Street East (tel: (416) 921 1212; website: www.discountcar.com); Hertz, 128 Richmond Street East (tel: (416) 363 9022; website: www.hertz.com); National, Union Station (tel: (416) 364 4191; website: www.nationalcar.com); and Thrifty, 191 Parliament Street (tel: (416) 868 0350; website: www.thrifty.com). Hire charges are about C$40-50 per day and C$240-280 per week not including insurance. Drivers must be at least 23 years old and pay by credit card. North American and European visitors may use national licences. Visitors from other countries are often required to have an International Driving Permit as well. Bicycle Hire Bicycle hire in Toronto can be arranged through Cyclepath, 2106 Yonge Street (tel: (416) 487 1717; C$5 per hour or C$25 per day), and Wheel Excitement, 5 Rees Street, just south of the SkyDome (tel: (416) 260 9000; website: www.wheelexcitement.com; C$14 for two hours or C$24 per day). Wheel Excitement also hires out rollerblades. Information on cycling in the city is available from the Toronto Cycling Committee (website: www.city.toronto.on.ca/cycling) and the Toronto Bicycling Network (website: www.tbn.on.ca). Riding a bicycle in the winter may not be a good idea due to possible icy road conditions (not to mention the cold). |
||
