With a potential transit strike just hours away, Toronto residents may soon be looking for another way to get around the city. Here’s what you need to know about the impending TTC strike.

When will the workers strike if no agreement is reached?

The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 113, which represents over 11,000 TTC operators, transit fare collectors, maintenance workers, station staff, and other frontline TTC employees, has stated that its members will leave their jobs at 2 a.m. on Friday if a preliminary agreement with the city is not reached by midnight tonight.

TTC spokesperson Stuart Green previously stated that negotiations are expected to continue "until the end." If the union moves forward with the strike, it will halt the subway, streetcars, and buses in the city. Notably, the union has said that the Wheel-Trans service, a para-transit service, will continue to operate even in the event of a work stoppage.

What are the alternative transit options?

While TTC Chair Jamal Myers has repeatedly stated he is "confident" that an agreement will be reached before tonight’s deadline, he also said that passengers "should have a complete backup plan" for Friday morning. He mentioned that those who can work from home should do so, and for those who cannot, GO Transit or carpooling may be good alternatives.

GO Transit

In a statement to CP24, Metrolinx said that GO Transit and UP Express "will continue to operate as usual" in the event of a TTC strike.

The regional transit agency stated: "While we have contingencies in place to address increased demand where possible, TTC is an important service that carries nearly 2.5 million passengers daily, while GO Transit currently carries 200,000 passengers daily."

"We expect our trains and buses to be busier than usual and ask customers to plan for extra travel time."

Bicycle Sharing in Toronto

A spokesperson for the transit advocacy group TTCRiders suggested on Wednesday that people should consider biking, using Bike Share Toronto to get to school or work.

According to Bike Share Toronto's website, its network consists of over 9,000 bikes and more than 700 stations, covering over 200 square kilometers in 21 out of 25 wards in the city.

Uber and Taxis

Many passengers have said they will rely on Ubers or taxis to get around if TTC is not an option.

On Wednesday, an Uber spokesperson stated that while drivers will be incentivized to increase ride availability, they cannot fill the "massive gap that a public transit strike will create."

Uber said it will recommend passengers try the "pool ride" feature to maximize carpool trips, and stated that while surge pricing will remain in place, it plans to implement a "cap" on surge prices.

Beck Taxi confirmed to CP24 that it will operate "at full capacity" in the event of a transit strike on Friday.

The company's spokesperson said: "We will do our best to maintain service levels, but we cannot guarantee wait times."

They noted that while the city granted them "the ability to charge extra," they "committed to not using this practice."

What will happen to city services and schools?

The City of Toronto said on Wednesday that it has emergency plans in place to ensure city services continue to function amidst a potential strike.

It noted that staff requested to be on site "should plan accordingly and report to work on time."

The Toronto District School Board stated that while elementary schools will observe Palestinian Authority Day on Friday, it is a regular school day for high school students.

The school board said in a letter to families on Wednesday: "Traveling to and from school may present a challenge for some, so we ask students and families to plan accordingly and allow ample time to arrive on time."

"High school student buses will continue as usual on Friday, but students and their families should expect delays. All other students should explore alternative modes of transportation, including using cars or biking and/or walking to get to school."

How will this affect other services?

In a press release on Thursday, TTCRiders warned that a transit strike would have far-reaching consequences for all Toronto residents, including those who do not rely on TTC.

The statement said, "Public services and other businesses will be affected, as TTC transports working-class people to their jobs. For many Torontonians, TTC is our only option to get to work, school, caregiving, groceries, and appointments, and for those who have access to vehicles, the gridlock will only worsen."

The group offered tips to Toronto residents on how to mitigate the impacts of the transit strike and advised people to make alternative childcare arrangements in case of staffing shortages at daycare centers and the need for closures.

Toronto Pearson International Airport stated that around 47,000 people use TTC daily to get to and from the airport, including about 3,500 passengers who use the Airport Express 900 from Kipling Station each day.

The airport stated in a social media post: "If a strike occurs, there are many alternative options available to get to the airport: Uber, Lyft, taxi, UP Express, GO Transit, rideshare services, and pre-arranged taxi/limo services. We encourage all airport travelers to plan ahead and allow extra time to get to the airport."

When was the last TTC strike?

The last time TTC staff walked off the job was in April 2008. The labor strike lasted less than two days after the then Liberal government passed back-to-work legislation.

The province later designated TTC as an essential service, a law that had been in effect for years until it was overturned by an Ontario court last year. This ruling opened the door for a strike for the first time in more than a decade after the union's most recent deal expired in March.

Will the province intervene?

The provincial government has remained silent on whether it will proceed with back-to-work legislation if TTC workers walk out on Friday.

Ontario's Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, Paul Calandra, avoided questions from reporters at Queen's Park on Wednesday.

Calandra said, "Like all of you, I'm listening to what the TTC Chair is saying. He seems very optimistic that they're going to come to an agreement, so until I hear otherwise, I'm going to listen to his words and hope they come to agreements."