Transit Toronto

This week, GO Transit starts operating trains along the 61 Richmond Hill with only four cars. GO successfully tried out four-car trains on some trips along the line, starting Monday, **April 19”. GO explains, “We’re keeping an eye on [passenger] levels and continue to make adjustments to the length of our trains to match demand while using our resources efficiently.”

Starting Monday, May 3, the southbound train that leaves Gormley GO Station at 6:56 a.m. Mondays to Fridays and the northbound trains that leave Union Station at 3:45, 4:45 and 5:45 p.m. trips operate with four cars, instead of six.

Starting Tuesday, May 4, the southbound trains that leave Gormley at 7:26 and 8:11 a.m. and the northbound train that leaves Union at 6:45 p.m. will have four cars, instead of six.

Starting Wednesday, May 5, the southbound train that leaves Gormley at 6:11 a.m. will have four cars, instead of six.

Look down the platform when the train approaches the station because you may have to adjust where you usually wait. Be sure to use all available doors to board and listen for station announcements.

Some coaches may be more popular than others. GO is encouraging passengers to move to another coach to find a more comfortable space.

GO says, “We continue to monitor all trips and will make adjustments if needed. We will let you know in advance about any changes.”

In other news, GO resumed service along the 16 Hamilton / Toronto express route and decreased service along several other routes, starting Saturday, May 1.

From 9 p.m. Friday, May 7 until 5 a.m. Monday, May 10, the Region of York is closing

• Mulock Drive (Regional Road 74) at the railway tracks 450 metres west of Bayview Avenue

in the Town of Newmarket, to accommodate Region and Metrolinx contractors who are paving the roadway at the railway crossing. (Metrolinx’s Newmarket subdivision tracks cross Mulock at this location. The tracks carry GO Transit’s Barrie-line trains.)

York Region Transit is detouring buses along this route, while the street is closed:

• 57A Mulock.

^ Image, Region of York.

Metrolinx continues enhancing Port Credit GO Station, as part of the GO Expansion Program.

GO Transit crews have recently installed a new temporary pedestrian bridge, which will be available for passengers, starting Friday, May 7. The access route from the north parking lot is no longer available due to Hurontario light rail transit construction around Mary Fix Creek. You can access the new temporary bridge from Sandham Road, west of the north parking lot, which will connect directly to the west pedestrian tunnel to get to the north platform.

LRT construction does not affect access from the north parking lot to the east tunnel.

Friday, April 23, GO crews installed fencing on a small section of the island (north) platform near the entrance to the stairs connecting to the east tunnel. GO contractors need this space to repair the roof, install the ceiling and complete mechanical and electrical work.

Construction and fencing on the island platform at Port Credit GO Station continue “until later this spring”, meaning as late as until June 21.

GO has almost finished upgrading the south-platform elevator at the station but, since Monday, April 5, the elevator connecting the tunnel to the island platform has been out of service, while crews upgrade that elevator, too.

This temporarily changes how you board or exit from trains at the station.

• If you are headed eastbound toward Union Station and have accessibility needs, use the ramp at the northwest corner of the south parking lot by the passenger pick-up and drop-off area (or “kiss and ride) to reach the south platform.
• If you are headed westbound toward Aldershot and have accessibility needs, board or exit at Clarkson GO station. If you need help to get to get to Clarkson GO, you can:

• Register for accessible shuttle service by calling GO at 416-869-3200 or 1-888-438-6646 (toll-free). You can also ask for a paper copy of the request form from a Station Attendant at Port Credit GO station. Ask for help at least 48 hours before you travel.

• If you need help when you arrive at Port Credit GO, you can:

• Talk to a station attendant: Staff are currently providing roving passenger service throughout the station from 6:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., Mondays to Fridays and from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. weekends and holidays. If you do not see a station attendant near you, check the service booth in the station.
• Call the GO Contact Centre at 416-869-3200 or 1-888-438-6646 toll free (Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.; weekends and holidays, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.) After=hours only: Call Transit Safety Dispatch at 905-803-0642 or 1-877-297-0642 toll- free.

GO says, “The elevators at the station are reaching the end of their lifespan and these updates will make them more reliable.”

Elevator construction at Port Credit GO Station continues “until later this spring”, meaning as late as until June 21.

Since Monday, January 11, GO has closed the south platform elevator, while crews upgrade the device.

• Use the ramp at the northwest corner of the south parking lot by the kiss and ride to get to the south platform.
• After crews finish upgrading the south platform elevator, they start upgrading the island platform elevator.

Since Thursday, December 2, 2020, GO has temporarily removed the PRESTO fare-payment device on the west side of the stairs (between the bus loop and the south platform) until further notice.

It’s also temporarily removed the digital screen displaying trip information and the PRESTO fare-payment device on the east side of the stairs (also between the bus loop and the south platform). Crews will put the machines in place when they finish building the west ramp “in spring 2021”, meaning the devices are out of service as late as until June 30.

PRESTO fare-payment devices are available in the station building and on the ramp at the northwest corner of the south parking lot by the Kiss and Ride. Digital screens are available on the train platforms and in the GO station building.

Since Monday, September 14, 2020, GO has been building a new accessible ramp connecting the bus terminal to the south train platform. This temporarily affects how you access buses at the station. The work zone blocks platform 8 in the terminal. MiWay is relocating the stop for northbound buses along the 8 Cawthra route and eastbound buses along the 23 Lakeshore route to platform 5.

Since Tuesday, August 4, 2020, GO has closed 15 parking spaces in the southwest lot near Stavebank Road North, so crews can store construction material for ongoing construction at Port Credit GO.

Metrolinx and GO plan to accommodate more passengers and increase service along the Lakeshore West line, as part of their GO Expansion Program (formerly “regional express rail”).

Metrolinx and its contractors also continue construction of the Hurontario light rail transit line at the station.

Metrolinx intends to build a new underpass on the south side of the rail corridor. Building the underpass will allow the LRT vehicles to travel into the future below-ground Port Credit LRT Station.

^ An artist rendering of the platform at the Port Credit stop. Image, Metrolinx

Since Monday, March 22, the LRT work zone has blocked 75 parking spaces in the north lot of Port Credit GO Station. Construction activity takes place in the northwest corner of the north parking lot. Access to the tunnels, bike shelter and pedestrian pathways remain the same as previously. GO Transit says, “There is still parking available in the north, south and west parking lots.”

Also, since Monday, February 8, GO made major changes to the station parking due to the LRT construction.

North lot:

• GO closed some of the parking spaces in the south half of the north parking lot.
• It relocated reserved parking spaces in the north lot.
• A pedestrian path is available so you can walk to and from the tunnels connecting to the train platforms.
• The elevator to the north platform remains available. The elevator to the south platform is currently under construction. An accessibility ramp is available for you to use to reach the south platform. Look for signs to help guide you to and from your platform.
• Expect a series of closures in the north lot during construction “until the end of 2022”, meaning as late as December 31, 2022.

South lot:

• GO closed part of the south lot on Hurontario Street. It closed part of the east side and the northern half of the parking lot.
• It also closed the stairs from Hurontario Street into the south parking lot during construction.
• It relocated some of the reserved parking spaces in the south lot.
• Construction does not impact sidewalks or entrances for passengers in the south parking lot.

Also, starting “this month (Feb.)” — perhaps as early as Monday February 8 — crews are protecting and removing trees and shrubs.

Crews are installing plywood fencing around trees in the area to protect them from construction debris. They intend to protect as many trees as possible. However, they will remove trees that they can’t protect. But local bylaws require Metrolinx to replace any trees as a part of the final landscaping of the area.

Construction in the Port Credit GO Station parking lots continues “until 2023”, meaning as late as December 31, 2023.

^ Steeles Avenue East underpass southeast retaining wall, sidewalk and bike lane. Traffic will be diverted to the side south of this underpass starting Monday, May 3. Image, Metrolinx.

Metrolinx continues to upgrade the Stouffville rail corridor, including building a vehicle underpass and pedestrian bridge on Steeles Avenue East just north of Milliken GO Station, as part of the GO Expansion Program.

Starting Monday, May 3, the south side of the new underpass opens to traffic. During this next phase of construction, two lanes of traffic in each direction flow on the south side of the underpass, while construction continues on the north side. The pedestrian walkway remains available on the south side of Steeles Avenue East beside the new retaining wall.

TTC passengers aboard buses along these routes can expect delays:

• 53 Steeles East;
• 353 Steeles overnight; and
• 953 Steeles East express.

^ Steeles Avenue East underpass south east retaining wall, sidewalk and bike lane. Traffic will be diverted to the side south of the underpass starting Monday, May 3. Image, Metrolinx.

From 8 p.m. Friday, April 30 until 6 a.m. Monday, May 3, the City of Toronto closed Steeles Avenue East between Silver Star Boulevard / Old Kennedy Road and Redlea Avenue to all traffic, so that crews could get ready for opening the south-side underpass roadway. The TTC detoured buses along multiple routes throughout the weekend.

This next phase of construction and the resulting TTC delays continue “through to mid-2022”, meaning as late as until June 30, 2022.

^ Click to enlarge.

Metrolinx and GO plan to accommodate more passengers and increase service along the Stouffville line, as part of their GO Expansion Program (formerly “regional express rail”).

^ Click to enlarge.

Metrolinx continues its project to improve Union Station. Contractors are upgrading the platform and concourse levels, Metrolinx says, “to give you more efficient, frequent and comfortable” GO Transit service.

Work continues to improve stairs, elevators, platforms, tracks and access to prepare the station for the GO Expansion Program.

Contractors are:

• removing heritage steel;
• installing overhead lighting;
• building a new south concourse;
• widening platforms;
• increasing vertical access; and
• upgrading passenger communications systems.

Starting “the first week of May” (possibly as early as Monday, May 3), contractors start several new phases of the project. This may change how you make your way around the station:

• A work zone blocks the doors between the southwest side of the York Concourse and the stairs to platforms 24-27.

• Look for directional signs in the area to guide you to platforms 24 - 27 from the southwest side of the York Concourse.

• From the southwest side of the York Concourse, proceed to York Street, head south (turn left) and, after about 10 metres, head east (turn left).

• Look for directional signs in the area to guide you to the south side of the York Concourse from platforms 24 - 27.

• From the bottom of the stairs to platforms 24 - 27, proceed to York Street, head north (turn right) and, after about 10 metres, head east (turn right).

• Sections of fencing will also be in parts of the walkways on the west side of York Street and the walkway on the east side of Bay Street, when it opens later this year.

• A work zone blocks parts of the station pathways to make space to convert two heritage freight elevators and a heritage freight-elevator enclosure into stairs.

• According to Metrolinx, when open, the three new stairways “will make it easier and more efficient for you to get to and from platform 20/21.”
• Platform 20/21, currently almost exclusively for VIA Rail Canada service, will become a platform for both VIA and GO passengers, when construction is complete “towards the end of this year” (meaning construction continues as late as until December 31).

• A work zone blocks the walkway on the east side of Bay Street (Bay East Teamway).

• The walkway is closed for construction “until later in 2021” (meaning construction continues as late as until December 31). The work zone blocks all stairs between train platforms and the walkway. However, the entrance to the Union Station Bus Terminal from Bay Street remains open.
• If you use the walkway on the east side of Bay Street to access train platforms, here are your options during the closure.

• When boarding your train at Union Station:

• You can access platforms 4 to 13 and platforms 24 to 27 from the walkway on the west side of Bay Street (Bay West Teamway).
• Plan your new route in advance and give yourself extra time.

• When exiting your train at Union Station:

• The exits at the east end of the platform are closed for construction.
• Directional signs will guide you so you can safely exit the platform.
• Don’t enter construction areas, remember to stay behind the yellow line and don’t cross train tracks.

• Metrolinx says, “Your safety is our top priority. We’re committed to closely monitoring the number of [passengers] on our vehicles and in our stations and we will re-open the walkway on the east side of Bay Street early”, if necessary.
• It’s renovating the walkway by replacing the ceiling, flooring, windows and doors and improving digital signs.
• The walkway will connect the new Union Station Bus Terminal with a future commercial tower at 141 Bay Street.

• A work zone continues to block the stairs to platform 3 from the walkway on the west side of Bay Street (Bay West Teamway) during repairs.

The City of Toronto is also working on a project to revitalize the parts of Union Station it owns, including the Bay Concourse, Great Hall and VIA Concourse. ^ Click to enlarge.

Transit Toronto recently met with representatives of On Guard for You to discuss their campaign to demand that the TTC to continue operating two-person subway trains. They also announced a contest for interested Transit Toronto readers and followers (and others).

The campaign

The Amalgamated Transit Union’s Local 113 - representing TTC workers - has developed On Guard for You as a public-information campaign. The campaign responds to a February 2021 Toronto-wide poll that measured public opinion on TTC management’s plan to eliminate subway-system guards.

(You can learn more about the poll here.)

Starting with Line 1Yonge - University, the TTC’s one-person train operation (OPTO) plan would change the longstanding practice of two-person subway operation: An operator who drives the train from the front car; and a guard in the rear of the train who has several safety-related responsibilities. With OPTO, the TTC would add the guard’s responsibilities to the operator’s duties. That means that just one crew member - the driver - is working at the front of a six-car, 137-metre (450-foot) train which may often carry as many aso 1,000 passengers

How will TTC subway riders benefit from OPTO? According to On Guard for You, they won’t. OPTO won’t save money. Higher-paid “station managers”, whose usefulness ends once the train leaves the station, will replace the guards. And OPTO won’t make the subway any safer because no-one will be performing the many safety responsibilities of subway guards.

The top ten guard safety responsibilities include:

• preventing riders from being caught in, and dragged by, closing doors;
• responding to on-board medical emergencies and alerting Emergency Medical Services;
• making sure passengers are not trapped in the platform / train gap;
• organizing / guiding passengers in tunnel evacuations due to fire, smoke or power outages;
• looking out for lost or separated children and helping in reunifying parents with children;
• safely intervening in assaults on passengers and calling authorities;
• responding quickly to on-board rider reports of sexual or other harassmen and theft;
• making sure passengers with mobility aids or in strollers can safely enter or exit trains;
• taking over train operation if the driver is suddenly disabled; and
• being alert to distressed or potentially suicidal passengers and get immediate help.

On Guard for You argues that OPTO is a huge step backward for public safety on the subway, the “central nervous system” of Toronto’s economic and social life.

Campaign organizers say that TTC management has refused to conduct meaningful public consultation on OPTO because they know the public would be very opposed to a much-less-safe subway system. They are relying on riders’ lack of awareness of the vital roles subway guards perform to ensure public safety.

It doesn’t have to happen. On Guard For You is asking you to demand a full public consultation on the issue of maintaining TTC subway guards. Visit OnGuardForYou.ca to send a message to your City Councillor. It will take 30 seconds or less and will make a big difference to the more than half a billion riders per year who rely on a safe subway in Canada’s largest city.

(Or, sign the petition here.)

Contest

You can win one of 15 cash prizes of $156 each. ($156 is the cost of a monthly transit pass). Simply fill out the form here for your chance to win — you don’t have to buy anything. The contest ends June 25, 2021 at 12:01 p.m. Eastern Time. You must answer a skill-testing question. Open to legal residents of Toronto only who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received before each weekly contest closing date. Limit: one entry and one prize per person.

ATU Local 113 has represented Toronto public-transit employees for more than a century. It is committed to public safety and is proud of its industry-leading record.

Starting Monday, May 3, the City of Toronto is closing

• Lower Jarvis Street, northbound lanes, between The Esplanade and Queens Quay East

to accommodate a project (.pdf) to upgrade a 91-year-old vintage water main and the City-owned portion of substandard water services on Lower Jarvis between The Esplanade and Queens Quay East. The City is alo replacing the sanitary sewer between the Metrolinx / GO Transit bridge and south of Lake Shore Boulevard East.

During the project, Lower Jarvis is open to southbound traffic only. The work zone blocks through traffic from the eastbound Frederick G. Gardiner Expressway off-ramp from turning northward along Lower Jarvis Street. Instead, motorists must drive eastward along Lake Shore Boulevard East. The work zone also restricts traffic along Lake Shore Boulevard East to just one lane in each direction during active construction.

Occasionally, the City may fully close the intersection of Lower Jarvis Street with Lake Shore East to allow more extensive work at the intersection.

The TTC is detouring buses along this route, while the traffic lanes are closed:

• 75 Sherbourne.

This phase of construction on Lower Jarvis and the resulting TTC detour continue until August 15.

GO Transit is offering bad news and good news for its bus passengers during its most recent service change, starting Saturday, May 1.

The good news is that it’s restoring service along the 16 Hamilton / Toronto express route. The bad news is that, GO continues to cut back service along several routes “while ridership remains low”, including:

• 15 Brantford / Burlington;
• 19 Mississauga / North York;
• 21 Milton / Toronto;
• 25 Waterloo / Mississauga;
• 27 Milton / North York;
• 29 Guelph / Mississauga;
• 30 Kitchener / Brampton express;
• 31 Guelph / Georgetown / Toronto;
• 32 Brampton / Trinity Common / North York;
• 34 Pearson / North York;
• 36 Brampton / North York express;
• 40 Hamilton / Pearson / Richmond Hill;
• 41 Hamilton / Pickering;
• 45 Mississauga / Highway 407;
• 47 Hamilton / Highway 407;
• 48 Guelph / Highway 407;
• 54 Markham / Highway 407;
• 66 East Gwillimbury / Newmarket / North York express;
• 67 Keswick / North York;
• 92 Oshawa / Yorkdale; and
• 96 Oshawa / Finch express.

GO says it continues to monitor ridership and will “adjust service to meet demand”.

In other news, GO operates only trains with four coaches along the 61 Richmond Hill line, starting Monday, May 3.

ActiveTO is a City of Toronto program to make sure people have space to get around, while respecting physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Weekends, the City is closing parts of several major roadways near popular recreational trails like the Martin Goodman Trail and the Lower Don Trail, which often become overcrowded, especially during warmer weekends.

From 6 a.m. Saturdays until 11 p.m. Sundays, the City is closing

• Lake Shore Boulevard East, eastbound lanes, between Leslie Street and Woodbine Avenue

and other roadways near recreational trails.

(During holiday weekends, the closures continue after 11 p.m. Sundays until 11 p.m. Mondays.)

The TTC is detouring buses, while the streets are closed.

92 Woodbine South

From 6 a.m. Saturday, May 1 until 11 p.m. Sunday, May 2, southbound buses operate along their regular route to Lake Shore Boulevard East at Northern Dancer Boulevard, ending their trips.

Southbound buses skip their regular stop

• in Woodbine Beach Loop.

Northbound buses start their trips on Lake Shore Boulevard East at Northern Dancer Boulevard, then proceed:

westward along Lake Shore East;
northward along Coxwell Avenue;
east- and northeastward along Eastern Avenue; and then
eastward along Queen Street East to Woodbine Avenue,
resuming their regular route northward along Woodbine.

Northbound buses skip their regular stop

• in Woodbine Beach Loop.

Instead, northbound buses drop off or pick up passengers at temporary stops

• on Eastern Avenue at Queen Street East and
• on Queen Street East at Sarah Ashbridge Avenue.

The TTC has announced that, from 9 p.m. Friday, April 30 until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, May 2, it’s detouring buses along this route due to “a crane lift”:

• 63 Ossington.

It has not specified where crane activity is disrupting service along the route, but it’s likely on **East Liberty Street east of Strachan Avenue.