The City of Toronto outlined a robust plan regarding service and traffic measures ahead of the huge crowds expected to flock to the downtown core during Taylor Swift’s six scheduled shows next month.
Swift will perform at Rogers Centre for her sold-out Eras Tour from Nov. 14 to Nov. 16 and the following week from Nov. 21 to Nov. 23, and the city says it is expecting up to 500,000 visitors from outside Toronto.
Tens of thousands of Swifties are expected to use public transit to get to the venue and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, where fan event Taylgate’24 is happening, while overlapping events at Scotiabank Arena could bring up to 20,000 more people downtown.
City officials are advising anyone planning to attend events downtown to take transit, bike share, walk or any other alternative method and avoid driving.
The Toronto Transit Commission says it has no subway closures planned during the events, and it will have extra service on subway lines 1 and 2 in the hours before and after Swift’s showtimes.
The transit agency says it is planning on more streetcars and buses for some routes, including the 509 Harbourfront and the 510D Spadina.
City officials say while there will be robust crowd management at Toronto’s Union Station with additional staff and signage to guide fans to the concerts. They also suggest using alternate stations in and around the concert venue – such as St. Andrews Station – to help mitigate the crush of people passing through Union Station.
Toronto police say they will work with the event organizers and local stakeholders to manage security measures and crowds. Officials say there will be a significant and visible police presence, both inside and outside the concert venue.
City officials anticipate the economic impact of Taylor Swift’s concerts to the city will be in the neighbourhood of $282 million.
