Q: When is a crowded subway car not a crowded subway car?

A: When it's a New Mind Space subway party.

If the City requires another example of how the TTC doesn't realize how loved it is, they needed only look at the events of last night to show them the way. Meeting at quarter past eleven in the evening, a small horde of Torontonians (and at least a handful of out-of-towners) decended on Kipling Station for the Holiday edition of the subway party.

There was no alcohol, sporadic music, and not much space; the organizers couldn't have asked for any more.

For nearly two and a half hours (from Kipling to Kennedy, and then back again until Bathurst) the end car of a regular subway train became a party car. People dancing, people singing, people having a good time. Decorations were put up, presents were offered, strangers became friends. I've been on busier subways (it's called rush-hour) but never one that seemed to rock and sway (dangerously so at one point) quite like this one.

People from all walks of life were there - some not yet old enough to vote; others coming home from their jobs, surprised at their luck; many who have been around the bizzaro party circuit for years. To a casual observer, it may have seen like a protest - but the only things being protested against, was boredom and quietness. As I squeezed my way around the party, everybody seemed to be having a good time. People were making up games as they went - calling out stations, stumbling for words to holiday songs, dancing in the aisles (or on the seats).

For all the differences between this subway car and any other journey on the TTC, one universal transit truth rang out: No matter how crowed it seems in the centre, once you make your way to the back, there's always room to breathe.

Sitting down, I was glad for those breaths.