If you've abandoned Toronto's Queen streetcar in favour of UberHOP, you'll be happy to note that the city will be improving the 501 route starting January 3.

"Service will be added at busy off peak times to reduce crowding. Service over the entire route, from Neville Park to Long Branch, will be operated every 10 minutes or better, all day, every day," notes the TTC on its website.

As CBC News reports, the 501 is the city's longest streetcar route and as you probably already know, it's a source of grief for many commuting Torontonians.

Along with beefing up service at all times of the day, the TTC will also focus on the a.m. rush. "In the morning peak period, three additional through trips will operate eastbound from Long Branch Loop to downtown," it writes. "These streetcars will depart from Long Branch Loop at 7:19 a.m., 7:29 a.m., and 7:39 a.m."

The TTC is making a few more changes in the new year, most notably: it's finally opening up the subway an hour earlier on Sundays, at 8 a.m. instead of 9.

Unfortunately, however, fares are also going up. Starting on January 3, a cash fare will you cost you $3.25. Tokens are also increasing by 10 cents each.

Photo by allanparke in the theGentries Flickr pool.