[LINK] "501 Queen streetcar line to be split in two"

[rfmcdonald]

As per the speculations on whatI reported back in July, the 501 Queen Streetcar route will be split in two.

Relief, maybe, is in sight for long-suffering transit riders on the 501 Queen streetcar line, which earns bragging rights internationally as a top-10 tram route but suffers locally for erratic service.

In a five-week experiment that starts on Monday, the Toronto Transit Commission will split the 24.8-kilometre Queen Street line into two sections: Long Branch (in the west end) to Parliament Street, and Shaw Street to Neville Park Boulevard (in the east end).

The two sections will overlap for a four-kilometre stretch between Shaw and Parliament, so commuters in the busy downtown area will not be forced to transfer between streetcars.

By splitting the line, TTC officials hope to reduce delays that begin at one end and inevitably reverberate to the other side.

“We hope this test will show whether splitting the route will provide [riders] with a more reliable service that has fewer waits and disruptions,” said John Chamberlain, TTC supervisor of the 501 Queen project. “If it doesn't, we will continue with the other strategies [introduced over the past two years] that have improved service.”

During the test period, which runs Monday to Friday until Nov. 20, rush-hour commuters on the western and eastern legs of the Queen line can expect to wait an extra two minutes compared to the current, albeit delay-filled, schedule. But with less bunching of streetcars, TTC officials expect waits to be more predictable, with less-crowded conditions.

As I noted back then, while it's an iconic route for me and much of the city, the 501 is also very, very erratic and frustrating, especially during the rush hours. Any improvement would be quite welcome. At least the western part of the route, the one I've used most extensively, will remain intact.