Public Transit

Transit infrastructure, buses, subway trains, and trams/streetcars/LRVs

Transit Spotting

The most accessible and relatable form of public transportation used by a significant portion of major urban populations daily. For some, those everyday travels spark an interest born from relatability and curiosity. While not as understood or popular, interest in public transit from an enthusiast perspective is growing, everything from the state of a transit agency’s fleet to network expansions and changes.

Infrastructure

Buses

Subway Trains

Trams/Streetcars/LRVs

Infrastructure

Buses

Subway Trains

Trams/Streetcars

Highlights

Transit Bus of the Century: The GM "New Look"

Buses started to become the dominant form of public transit in North America in the second half of the 20th century and the industry was largely influenced by the introduction of the iconic General Motors "New Look" bus in 1959. The model was incredibly influential and successful thanks to its spacious and comfortable interior, versatile configurations, durable construction, and distinctive aerodynamic appearance and design [1].

Synonymous with Urban Transit

With tens of thousands of examples built, widespread adoption among transit agencies across the continent, and a decades-long production run, the GM New Look bus became an iconic symbol of public transportation, replacing many streetcar systems and becoming a de-facto standard for urban North American transit buses throughout the middle of the 20th century [2].

An Industry Leader: New Flyer

New Flyer, a prominent Canadian multinational bus manufacturer, currently dominates the North American transit bus manufacturing industry with an approximately 45% market share in the US and Canada [3]. Their market share is so large that transit agencies in certain cities in the US and Canada operate mostly or exclusively New Flyer buses [4].

Less Overall Competition

While there are a few new transit bus manufacturers that have emerged as part of the push towards electric vehicles in the past couple of decades, there are a few well-established manufacturers that have ceased operations due to market shifts and economic challenges. The two most notable manufacturers were NABI (North American Bus Industries) and Orion.

North America's Largest Electric Bus Fleet

As of September 2020, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) operates the largest electric bus fleet in North America with 60 units out on the road: 25 New Flyer XE40s, 25 Proterra Catalyst BE40s, and 10 BYD K9Ms [5]. Due to their limited range, they are most often seen in service during peak periods and on daytime runs on weekends.

More Electrics Coming

A lot more electric buses are going to be added to the fleet in the next couple of years with additional units from New Flyer and a new order from Nova Bus, the LFSe+ model. Once all have arrived, the commission will have a grand total of 400 electric buses [6].

Sources

“New Look.” New Look - CPTDB Wiki, 22 Jan. 2024, https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/New_Look
Bow, James. “A History of the GM/MCI/Nova Buses.” Transit Toronto, 25 June 2015, https://transittoronto.ca/bus/8504.shtml
“NFI: TSX Investor Presentation.” NFI Group, 9 May 2019, https://nfigroup.com/static-files/0b5bebe6-3f59-4792-9969-2ad2c4a81979
“Main Page.” CPTDB Wiki, 21 Oct. 2022, https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
“TTC Now Has the Largest Fleet of Electric Buses in North America on the Road with Arrival of Third New Electric Bus Model.” Toronto Transit Commission, 8 Sept. 2020, https://ttc.ca/news/2020/September/TTC-now-has-the-largest-fleet-of-electric-buses-in-North-America-on-the-road-with-arrival-of-third
“TTC Welcomes New Battery-Electric Buses.” Toronto Transit Commission, 27 Sept. 2024, https://ttc.ca/news/2024/September/TTC-welcomes-new-battery-electric-buses

Sources:

“New Look.” New Look – CPTDB Wiki, 22 Jan. 2024, https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/New_Look
Bow, James. “A History of the GM/MCI/Nova Buses.” Transit Toronto, 25 June 2015, https://transittoronto.ca/bus/8504.shtml
“NFI: TSX Investor Presentation.” NFI Group, 9 May 2019, https://nfigroup.com/static-files/0b5bebe6-3f59-4792-9969-2ad2c4a81979
“Main Page.” CPTDB Wiki, 21 Oct. 2022, https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
“TTC Now Has the Largest Fleet of Electric Buses in North America on the Road with Arrival of Third New Electric Bus Model.” Toronto Transit Commission, 8 Sept. 2020, https://ttc.ca/news/2020/September/TTC-now-has-the-largest-fleet-of-electric-buses-in-North-America-on-the-road-with-arrival-of-third
“TTC Welcomes New Battery-Electric Buses.” Toronto Transit Commission, 27 Sept. 2024, https://ttc.ca/news/2024/September/TTC-welcomes-new-battery-electric-buses

Media Gallery

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) PCC and CLRV Streetcars resting at Russell Carhouse ready to take part in the annual Beaches Easter Parade on April 16th, 2017.

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Media Gallery

TTC 1983 GM New Look 2331

Heading westbound at Fenside Drive on York Mills Road on route 95 York Mills.

TTC 1996 Orion V
7094

About to make a right turn onto Breckon Gate at Murison Boulevard on route 132 Milner.

TTC 1998 Nova Bus RTS 7234

Heading southbound on Martin Grove Road at Winterton Drive on route 46 Martin Grove.

TTC 1998 New Flyer D40LF 7332

Heading westbound over the Humber River on route 80 Queensway.

TTC 2016 Nova Bus LFS 8552

Departing Warden Station on route 69B Warden South.

TTC 2014 Nova Bus LFS Artic 9060

Taking a break at Meadowvale Loop on route 385 Sheppard East Blue Night.

YRT 2005 Van Hool
525

Operating on route 80 Elgin Mills past Richmond Green Park.

TTC 1976-1979 Hawker Siddeley H5

Sporting a rare "Downtown" exposure at Rosedale Station.

TTC 1960s Illuminated Subway Pylon Sign

Very few examples featuring this vintage Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) logo remain in use today.

TTC PCC and CLRV Streetcars

Resting at Russell Carhouse ready to take part in the annual Beaches Easter Parade on April 16th, 2017.

A pair of Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)-Metrolinx 2019 Bombardier Flexity Freedom LRVs, 6211 and 6228, undergoing testing eastbound at Sloane Station.

TTC-Metrolinx 2019 Bombardier Flexity Freedom 6211 and 6228

Undergoing Eglinton Crosstown LRT testing at Sloane Station.

Kenosha Transit 1951 CC&F PCC 4609

Approaching the Kenosha Transit Center and sporting the Pittsburgh Railways Company livery.

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