All-door boarding is coming to the 504 King streetcar in an effort to speed things up along one of the TTC's highest traffic surface routes. John Tory, who is anxious to make a splash as the new mayor, recently made the announcement alongside TTC CEO Andy Byford and Councillor Josh Colle.

The expectation is that allowing passengers to board from the rear doors will save about six minutes over the course of the line. That doesn't sound like a whole lot, but the TTC needs to do everything it can to improve the speed on what is a notoriously slow route. Reducing load time just makes sense, particularly given that the Commission actually seems to employ proof of payment officers these days.

The change takes effect January 1.

Over and above the change to the 504, what is actually encouraging about today's announcement is that it appears the new mayor is making good on his claim that he'll be a team player as pertains to his governance-style. It's crucial that the mayor and the TTC chair are on the same page, and it appears that they are -- for now.

Photo by BruceK in the theGentries Flickr pool.