Let’s face it – downtown is crazy and hectic on the best of days and the last thing most of us want on our free time is to ride transit around. What if you planned a day though? Like the street cars in San Francisco, Toronto’s street cars are quaint and comfortable and always ready for a casual ride. You don’t have to be going anywhere in particular to enjoy the history of Toronto’s street car system formerly called the Red Rockets (check them out in their original glory here).
Oh, the history
The cars have been running for over ninety years now. Ninety years! Of course, the original cars aren’t available, but the routes are the same. They used to be horse-drawn, but the electric versions were ushered in around 1892. For decades afterwards, these Red Rocket streetcars supported the infrastructure of Toronto every day and allowed people to access the entire city. While most of the old models have long since been retired, the TTC has new models up for you to ride!
Plug in and relax
Public transit has a reputation of being uncomfortable and stressful, but that’s usually the context surrounding the ride itself – you’re late for work or school, you want to get to your friend’s party but the bus is going too slow, whatever. Riding transit for riding’s sake can be a lot more relaxing than you’d think, especially if you have some chill tunes or an audiobook or two. Some people just like the motion of a car or bus as they relax. All are great reasons to get out and ride the cars!
Check out parts of the city you don’t normally visit
Want to go to a great café on the other side of town, but feeling too lazy? That’s what these bad boys were meant for, after all! Toronto is your city too, so get out and explore it. The streetcars make this an easy and fun way to do it for everyone! On top of it all they’re all electric so you don’t even have to feel bad about emissions of any kind.
Just like San Francisco, Portland, and other awesome cities, the street cars of Toronto add charm and character to an already amazing location. Check them out, or take a date on a unique ride.