As reported by the Journal de Québec, Toronto was ranked as the seventh most congested city globally in 2022, marking it as the most congested city in Canada. Navigating from one end of Toronto to the other is not impossible, but it does require a solid knowledge of the transportation network and, of course, a fair amount of patience!
Getting to work in Toronto
As highlighted in the Journal de Québec article, the main factors contributing to the prolonged commute in Toronto are the speed limit and the city's size. According to the cited report, motorists in Toronto lost an average of 118 hours in 2022 due to traffic. Additionally, those using public transit in the Queen City would spend around 14 minutes daily waiting for a bus or train. This can be a considerable amount of time, especially when facing deadlines or already running late for work. The congestion and insufficient rapid transit options are a real problem in Toronto.
While the commuting challenge is indeed a reality, don't let it discourage you from considering a move to Toronto. Millions of people successfully live, work, and navigate their daily commutes in the city. It's important to explore the options that would be most convenient for you. While having a car is one possibility, don't be overly concerned about potential time wasted in traffic. Alternatively, there are several other transportation options to explore.
Public transportation in Toronto
Streetcars, trains, buses, carpooling, and the subway: there are many transportation options available in Toronto. Within the city, public transportation is managed by the Toronto Transit Commission. To get to the suburbs, you can take one of Go Transit's seven train lines. There are also transit companies in every area of the Greater Toronto Area.
The PRESTO transit card gives you access to most local transportation services, including all modes managed by the TTC and Go Transit. It's a smart card that you can load by buying single or multiple passes, as well as monthly or weekly passes. You can recharge the card at stations, certain stores, and online using a credit card.
A monthly pass is cheaper than buying tickets every time you use public transport. See all TTC fares on this page. To obtain your PRESTO card, you'll need to pay CA$4 and deposit a minimum of 5 cents.
Carpooling in Toronto
Carpooling is an excellent option for those looking for the perfect balance between cost savings and comfort. Carpooling allows several people to travel together in the same car to save costs while reducing their carbon footprint. Car-sharing apps such as Zipcar and Communauto are available from the Google PlayStore or Apple Store.
What are the alternatives?
Another option is to find accommodation near your workplace, allowing you to simply walk from home to work. Some individuals opt to rent a condominium within the skyscraper complexes that house their workplaces. Additionally, some companies go the extra mile by providing residences for their employees.
Toronto also offers a year-round bike-sharing service. With over 600 stations available, it's easy to get from one place to another by bike. It's possible to take out an annual subscription for CAD $105, take out temporary access for a few days, or pay per trip.
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