TORONTO – The city of Toronto announced traffic and safety measures Thursday in preparation for Taylor Swift’s arrival, warning residents to be patient and plan ahead as large crowds are expected to flock downtown during the six scheduled shows.

Swift will perform at the Rogers Center as part of her sold-out Eras Tour November 14-16 and the following week, November 21-23, and the city is expecting up to 500,000 visitors from outside Toronto.

Tens of thousands of Swifties are expected to use public transportation to get to the venue and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, where the Taylgate’24 fan event is taking place, while multiple overlapping events at the Scotiabank Arena could bring up to 20,000 more people downtown .

At a news conference detailing the city’s plans, Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik said Toronto had been preparing for the tour for months and had learned from other cities’ experiences with the concerts.

“We have seen the excitement that is in every city on this tour and now it is our turn,” said Malik.

“We want to make sure visitors have a great time … and Torontonians have the opportunity to experience the excitement and get all the reassurance and information they need.”

Barbara Gray, general manager of Toronto transportation services, said the city will take measures to curb traffic, including temporarily closing or restricting some streets around the Rogers Center on concert days.

“We plan to reopen all streets at 1 a.m. once the crowds and traffic have cleared after the shows,” Gray said, adding that the city is setting up drop-off and pick-up zones for parents, caregivers, taxis and rideshare drivers have .

Gray said additional traffic control officers and Toronto Police officers will be deployed to assist with traffic flow. Additionally, the city will implement a “restricted activity zone” on key blocks in the downtown core, restricting construction, filming and utility cuts.

The Toronto Transit Commission announced earlier this week that it will offer additional service on subway lines 1 and 2 in the hours before and after Swift shows.

The transit agency said it is also planning more streetcars and buses for some routes, including the 509 Harbourfront and the 510D Spadina.

Metrolinx, a provincial transportation agency, said it would deploy additional staff and signage at Union Station to guide fans to the concerts.

It’s crucial for residents and visitors to plan their trips downtown during the tour, Gray said, adding the city encourages everyone to use public transportation or rideshare or bike instead of driving drive.

“We want to make sure everyone has enough time to get to the stadium, find their seat, exchange friendship bracelets, and do it well before the start of the show,” Gray said.

The city also has several safeguards in place, said Joanna Beaven-Desjardins, executive director of Toronto Emergency Management. She said the city will activate its emergency operations center and coordinate with all local stakeholders during each show.

“We are integrated into each other’s operations and have a real-time, big-picture view of everything that’s happening in Toronto,” Beaven-Desjardins said.

In August, security problems at Taylor Swift concerts drew attention after Austrian authorities announced they had arrested suspects and foiled a plot to attack concerts in Vienna with knives or homemade explosives. The shows were canceled.

Toronto Police Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue said that while police cannot provide details of their response plans, residents and visitors can expect “a significant and visible police presence” at concert dates both inside and outside the venue.

People in the area should be patient and vigilant, she said.

“We understand that there may be some concern with events of this magnitude,” Pogue said. “That’s why our intelligence teams are closely monitoring the situation and are fully prepared to respond to potential risks.”

Pogue added there are “no threats at this time” and law enforcement is continually monitoring security.

Destination Toronto said the Eras Tour is expected to have more than $282 million in economic impact, with visitors accounting for 93 per cent of spending.

The city said it will also host various events in light of the megastar’s visit, including a Swift-inspired poetry program by Toronto poets.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31, 2024.

– With files from Associated Press.

Rianna Lim, The Canadian Press