2006: Year of the Transit

Is transit in Toronto on the upswing for 2006? A few weeks ago an eye weekly editorial admits "the TTC is getting better", and several upcoming events and publications by the usual suspects promise more transit celebration:

The Toronto Public Space Committee presents What The TTC Could Be: an art exhibit, featuring a new TTC where ads have been replaced by imagination. XPACE Gallery. January 5th to 8th. Opening night: January 6th, 7pm to 11pm.

newmindspace, the folks behind the recent subway parties, are now going the TTC sanctioned route by chartering a streetcar for a party this winter. All are invited to attend this all ages event. $5 a person. Order tickets through their website.

spacing presents InTransit, a transit themed art exhibition at the Toronto Free Gallery. January 13th to February 27nd.

spacing have put out a call for submissions for the next issue of their magazine, themed Transit. Send submission ideas to dale@spacing.ca before January 5th.

Meanwhile in NYC, the amazing Improv Everywhere are organizing the 5th Annual No Pants Subway Ride for January 22nd. For now though, they're keeping this discreet, and there's no info on the website about it.

Will public transit still be in vogue this time next year? Perhaps, but either way, its huge infrastructure, the enormous amount of resources that goes into running it, and the number of hours people spend on it a day will continue to have its ever omnipresent effect on our lives - whether it's fashionable to ride or not.

Photo: Derek Wuenschirs