As we continue to celebrate CUTA’s 120 years of service, this month we shine a spotlight on the transformative years from 1945 to 1954. This period, rich with post-war challenges and advancements in public transit, played a crucial role in shaping the Canadian urban transit landscape.

The end of World War II in September 1945, marked by Japan’s surrender, brought new challenges for urban transit systems in Canada. By the war’s end, cities were grappling with the concentration of war industries and traffic congestion. At the 1945 CUTA annual meeting, discussions centred on post-war issues, including passenger frustration due to overcrowding. CUTA’s Public Relations Committee at the time worked to communicate industry concerns amidst public criticism. CUTA’s Engineering Committee, which no longer exists, emphasized the crucial role of engineers in ensuring a smooth transition to peace and prosperity.

This decade marked a shift from streetcars to trolley buses and gasoline-powered buses. Calgary bid farewell to its last streetcar in 1947, followed by Vancouver in 1955, and later Montreal in 1959. Despite the decline of streetcar services in these cities, Toronto maintained its streetcar system, which remains a vital part of the city’s transit network, contributing to its unique urban character. Streetcars typically have a longer lifespan than trolley buses, which can result in lower long-term maintenance and replacement costs. However, trolley buses required less capital investment compared to the extensive infrastructure needed for streetcar tracks and overhead wires. Trolley buses were also favoured by other Canadian cities for their ease of operation, smoother rides, and faster pick-up.

Though Toronto’s transportation system didn’t evolve by way of trolleybuses, the booming city had the biggest innovation in Canadian transportation to date. In 1954, the inauguration of Canada’s first subway line, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)’s Yonge Street Subway, was one of the most significant events in Canadian transit history. This milestone shaped modern Toronto and spurred urban development across Canada, with Montreal soon following suit.

The Yonge Street Subway’s construction was a marvel of engineering, using the “cut and cover” method to build directly beneath the busy street. This innovation laid the groundwork for modern urban transit development.

As we reflect on this pivotal decade, we celebrate the resilience and innovation that defined our journey. From overcoming post-war challenges to embracing new technologies, our commitment to providing efficient and reliable public transit continues to drive our progress. Stay tuned for our next blog, where we will explore the next era of modern Canadian public transit.