Toronto's transit system is under fire for leaving thousands of fans stranded following the Blue Jays' Game 7 loss in the World Series. Critics are calling for immediate and sincere apologies from Metrolinx, UP Express, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), the City of Toronto, and the Ontario government.

The situation unfolded after the game, which ended in a dramatic 11-inning defeat. Many fans rushed to catch the last trains, but were met with overcrowded platforms and limited service. A tweet from the City of Toronto at 12:08 a.m. warned fans that the final GO train would leave Union Station soon, and the last TTC train was scheduled for around 1:30 a.m. This message was sent just minutes before the game concluded, leaving fans scrambling for transportation.

Councillor Brad Bradford criticized the transit response, stating, "Serve the people, not punch the clock." Councillor Jon Burnside echoed this sentiment, calling the situation "unacceptable" and noting that such issues with the TTC are not isolated incidents. Transit advocate Justin Van Dette remarked, "A world-class transit system really struck out here, big time."

Councillor Josh Matlow also expressed frustration, stating that Metrolinx and the TTC should have anticipated the possibility of a late game. He described the city's response as lacking understanding and compassion for the fans.

TTC Chair Jamaal Myers defended the service, claiming that the operational plan was effective. He acknowledged that the communication regarding the tweet was problematic but insisted that the service was adequate. However, many believe this perspective is disconnected from the reality faced by fans.

TTC CEO Mandeep Lali stated that the Transit Control Centre logged very few issues during the late-night service, attributing the problems to communication failures rather than operational shortcomings. Metrolinx added that while some customers were accommodated on GO buses and the UP Express, they could not extend service hours due to operational constraints.

The aftermath of the game saw many fans, including children, left without transportation. Reports indicated that security at the GO bus terminal restricted access, forcing fans to wait in crowded conditions. The lack of sufficient trains and buses was evident, as many fans were left on platforms with no affordable way home. Taxis and rideshare services were overwhelmed, leading to heightened frustration among those stranded.

Critics argue that the transit authorities should have been better prepared, especially given the high-profile nature of the event. They noted that extra services were provided for other major events, such as concerts and New Year’s celebrations, but not for the World Series.

As Toronto prepares for the upcoming World Cup of soccer, there are calls for transit authorities to learn from this incident and ensure that similar failures do not occur in the future. Many believe that a public acknowledgment of the shortcomings is necessary to restore trust in the transit system.