Toronto public transit services and politicians faced backlash on social media following Game 7 of the World Series after some public transit services were not extended past 1:30 a.m.
Videos circulating on social media showed fans waiting at stations after the game as service was disrupted. Some social media users are unhappy with the decision, calling it poor planning and saying the service had to be extended due to the size of the event.
Before the game, the Toronto Transit Commission posted a reminder on social media that the subway would stop after 1:30 a.m., and the city posted it shortly after midnight, saying the last GO train from Union Station would depart soon.
“Reminder: We know the game is late, but transit won't wait!” the city said in fast.
The game ended shortly after 12 a.m. with a heartbreaking loss to the Blue Jays. About 40,000 people filled the sold-out Rogers Center and parties took place throughout the city.
Mandeep Lali, CEO of the TTC, posted a response on social media saying there were “very few issues with TTC service Saturday night” and contingency plans that were in place in case the game was late were not activated.
Lali said TTC service was running for 90 minutes after the game ended, and services other than TTC subways and buses were out of their control.
“We are aware of complaints on social media about GO and UP Express services at Union Station, but those services are operated by Metrolinx, not the TTC,” Lali said in an interview. social media Sunday, noon.
Metrolinx cannot operate overnight or add additional trains.”due to ownership tracking and operational considerations,” the service said in a statement to CBC Toronto on Sunday.
Speaking after the team's heartbreaking loss, Jays manager John Schneider thanked his team for a “great” season and congratulated the Dodgers on their victory.
Metrolinx also said they offered additional service throughout the Blue Jays' postseason run, including additional overnight trains on the Lakeshore West Line, Kitchener Line, Stouffville Line and Barrie Line for Game 7.
“After the game, these trains were delayed as long as possible and each train was at full capacity by the time they departed,” Metrolinx said in a statement.
Local politicians speak their minds
City Councilman Josh Matlow said on social media that he plans to raise concerns about the service at Monday's TTC board meeting.
“Both Metrolinx and the TTC really should have been prepared for the possibility of late game to avoid leaving thousands of people stranded,” Matlow said in the post.
Some social media users are directing their complaints about the service to Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. Brahman Thillainathan, a spokeswoman for Mayor Chow's office, said the mayor plans to raise the issue at Monday's TTC board meeting, where she will support the TTC chairman's proposal to improve transit service for special events.
“Mayor Chow believes TTC service should be extended after major events to ensure riders can get home safely and conveniently,” the statement said.
Councilman Brad Bradford, who has said he plans to run in the next mayoral election, also addressed complaints about social media.
“We'll fix stupid decisions like this with my 'back to basics' approach: move lots of people where they need to go, when they need to go. Serve the people, not the clock,” he said in a post Sunday morning.
