Weary pilgrims flock to transit

Exuberant World Youth Day passengers find forgiveness for crowding the system

By WALLACE IMMEN, The Globe and Mail
Friday, July 26, 2002

Many thousands complied, but the strain placed on roads and some transit lines yesterday by those attending World Youth Day often required a forgiving nature.

Tim Powell, a regular transit user on King Street waited in frustration while two streetcars, packed to the doors with joyous youngsters, passed without stopping.

"It's something I'm willing to put up with. I don't blame them. They're supposed to walk, but it's a long way," Mr. Powell said.

"The only complaint we have had from a member of the public was there is too much singing in the subway," said Gary Webster, general manager of TTC operations.

"The pilgrims are happy. It seems to be infectious; our employees are having a good time."

The Toronto Transit Commission's costs have soared for the week, mainly because of overtime pay for drivers to keep the system running at peak volume.

Buses being kept in reserve had to be pressed into service on the Bathurst and Dufferin routes into Exhibition Place for yesterday's papal-welcoming ceremony.

Long lineups formed at Union Station for the Harbourfront streetcar to Exhibition Place.

However, estimates of the cost of extra overtime and equipment to handle the crowds have dropped to $4.5-million from $6-million. That means the TTC should be able to break even for the week, Mr. Webster said.

All World Youth Day visitors have a pass for unlimited use of the transit system. The Roman Catholic Church is paying a flat rate of $1.25-million to the TTC, calculated at $5 a head for an estimated 250,000 users.

The federal government contributed an additional $2.5-million and the transit commission expects to sell $500,000 worth of papal passes for the Sunday mass at Downsview Lands. Increased ridership for tonight's Way of the Cross ceremony should also boost revenues.

The huge event has been remarkably peaceful, said Toronto Police spokesman Sergeant Jim Muscat. "Everything is going wonderfully. We're geared up and ready, but everything is going smoothly," he said.

The city health department has set up fully equipped medical centres at Exhibition Place and at Downsview Lands.

About 200 people a day have required medical care, but not for anything serious, said Katherine Rouleau, a member of the staff of St. Michael's Hospital who is director of World Youth Day health services.

Most of the problems have involved twisted ankles and migraine headaches, Dr. Rouleau said.

Traffic disruptions continue today as University Avenue remains closed all day to set up for this evening's Way of the Cross ceremony.

As many as 500,000 people are expected to attend the event, which begins at 7:30 p.m. It will be presented on stages from Queen Street West to Bloor Street West.

Enthusiasm has been building since the Pope's arrival on Tuesday; more than 750,000 people are expected to attend the papal mass at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, said Tony Genco, vice-president of public affairs at Downsview Lands.