Good smells, big windows and 13 other things people love about the TTC’s new streetcars

The first two of the TTC’s anticipated fleet of new streetcars—complete with low floors, bike racks, a new proof-of-payment system and plenty of other, lesser-known features—finally went into service on the 510 Spadina route on Sunday. Our ride on one of the flashy new vehicles may have been our first time seeing anyone actually smile on Toronto public transit. What were passengers so excited about? Well, the lack of funny smells, for one thing. But they were also particularly pleased with the great wheelchair access, the European-style seating arrangements, and, of course, the air conditioning. Here, 15 people who are thrilled, for various reasons, with the sleek new streetcars.

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(Image: Kayla Rocca)

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

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<strong>Name:</strong> Ann Cummings<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 42<br /><br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> Teacher<br /><br /> “Anything new is exciting, but I find the seating arrangement here is much more European. It makes you feel like the city is taking strides, you know.”

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

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<strong>Name:</strong> Zaid Alkhishman<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 21<br /><br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> Computer Engineer (Intern)<br /><br /> “There aren't as many funny smells on the new cars! And I think the new proof of payment system is a lot better at discouraging cheaters.”

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

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New street kiosks allow passengers to pay their fare while they wait for the streetcar. The machines issue receipts that can be used as proof of payment.

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

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<strong>Name:</strong> Mehrshit M.<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 60<br /><br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> Homemaker<br /><br /> “I've just moved to Toronto from Iran. And when I first saw the old streetcars, I thought, they don't really fit in with a G8 country! My old country is fascinated by new things, you see. But I do like these new cars, they're very nice and user friendly.”

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

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<strong>Name:</strong> Anna Ziniuk<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 3 and a half <br /><br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> Daycare student<br /><br /> “The new streetcars make my nose less stuffy.”

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

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<strong>Names:</strong> Jim Scott and Jim Robertson<br /><br /> <strong>Ages:</strong> 76 and 71<br /><br /> <strong>Professions:</strong> Retired<br /><br /> “We really like the size and openness of the windows. You can just look outside and know exactly where you are. We hope our mayor keeps them! They're a real bonus for the city.”<br /><br /><br /> “It's also pretty special that the informational handouts are also in Chinese.”

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

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One of the informational handouts.

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

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<strong>Name:</strong> Alexis Fakouri<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 30<br /><br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> Arts Administrator<br /><br /> “Personally, I would have preferred that the funds go towards building a new subway, but now that I'm on a new car, I'm excited! It's visually appealing—I like how streamlined it is, and the capacity for packing in lots of people.”

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

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<strong>Name:</strong> Vis Parikh<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 26<br /><br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> Consultant at the World Bank<br /><br /> “This is my first time in Canada and I'm kind of lost right now. But the staff have been so helpful! I haven't seen this kind of service on public transport anywhere else. So, I'm certainly enjoying the new streetcars, even though I haven't seen the old ones.”

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

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<strong>Name:</strong> Harry Crawford<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 68<br /><br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> Retired<br /><br /> “What I love about the new cars is the low floor. I had a torn achilles tendon, so this means I don't have to step up as high as before. It's much easier. I just wish they'd put them into service faster!”

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

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<strong>Name:</strong> Bill Nugent<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 58<br /><br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> TTC Instructor<br /><br /> “The biggest thing is the wheel transportation. Before, people had to call 24 hours in advance if they wanted a wheelchair bus. Now, they can just hop on the new streetcars to go a few stops.”

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

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<strong>Name:</strong> Noor Ahmed<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 26<br /><br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> Marshalls Employee<br /><br /> “The blue seating is very helpful for people with disabilities. And now you don't have to keep lifting up the seats for people in wheelchairs.”<br />

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

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<strong>Name:</strong> Farid Farid<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 67<br /><br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> Cashier<br /><br /> “I think all the cars should be like this! They are very spacious and very nice.”

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

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<strong>Name:</strong> Eduardo Fernandez<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 59<br /><br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> Professor of International Business at University of Toronto<br /><br /> “It looks like you're in a state-of-the-art transportation system, with state-of-the-art technology. I think people will take better care of it because it's new.”

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

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<strong>Name:</strong> Jeffrey Leitner<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 53<br /><br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> Homemaker<br /><br /> “The air conditioning is great. It's a bit narrow, but that's great for meeting girls. Now all they need are coffee trolleys like in the VIA trains.”

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

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<strong>Name:</strong> Chris Edwards<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 18<br /><br /> <strong>Profession:</strong> Student<br /><br /> “The new cars, with the bike racks, are very convenient for people who have to get to a place, and then ride their bike. There's honestly nothing I don't like about them!”

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

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15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

15 people who are enthused about the new streetcars

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