Transit Toronto

This is an entirely frivolous post, but who among us would turn down free stuff?

The new iPhone is out and we are not being paid to sponsor them. However, I do like to customize my phone’s appearance and, as a natural-born Torontonian and as a transit nut, I tend to look for Toronto-related wallpapers. There are some excellent photographs out there, if you just but look, and I thought that I’d try my hand at making some of these wallpapers, based on some of the photographs from Transit Toronto (and one other from Ottawa’s train station):

Feel free to download these wallpapers for your iPhones or your Android phones if they’ll work. Or, if you would like to make your own wallpaper, show us what you got by tagging us on Twitter at @transittoronto with your wallpaper. We’ll retweet our favourites.

Metrolinx continues a project to enhance communication and safety features and create more connections at Malton GO Station, as part of the GO Expansion Program.

Starting Monday, October 26, GO Transit is closing 25 parking spaces in the lot west of the station building. A contractor is installing utilities in the area and creating a new laneway for accessing the station.

GO says, “There is still plenty of parking available in the parking lot. Please be careful around construction equipment until this work is complete.”

The work zone blocks the parking spaces until “the end of the year” or until December 31.

Metrolinx is preparing the station for GO Expansion by:

• adding tactile yellow safety tiles at the edge of the train platforms to remind you how far back to stand;
• installing new digital signs on the train platforms;
• widening the island platform to allow trains to stop on the north side; and
• changing the accessible platform to function on both sides.

Metrolinx continues upgrading the station “until spring 2022” or until June 30, 2022.

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

From 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday, October 26, York Region Transit is upgrading the heated shelter in Newmarket Terminal.

To accommodate the work zone, YRT is closing platform 4 in the terminal. Buses along the 56 Gorham - Eagle route pick up passengers at platform 5, while crews work in the shelter area.

^ Temporary stop for route 56 at Newmarket Terminal from 8 a.m until 4 p.m. Monday, October 26.

^ Usual Newmarket Terminal platform layout.

The TTC is delaying the start of service along Line 2 Bloor - Danforth between Broadview and St George stations this Sunday, October 25. All Line 2 trains operate only between Kennedy and Broadview stations and between Kipling and St George stations before noon that day.

Shuttle buses partially replace subway service between the two stations, stopping on the street near stations on the closed section of the line.

(Or, consider a shuttle bus alternative.)

Most stations on the closed section of Line 2 remain open so you can pay for fares or connect with buses, streetcars and Line 1 Yonge - University subway trains. However, Sherbourne and Bay stations are closed before noon.

Although shuttle buses are accessible, Wheel-Trans service is also available between Broadview and St George stations. You can ask staff at these stations for Wheel-Trans service.

While this section of Line 2 is closed, City of Toronto contractors work under the Prince Edward Viaduct to replace beams.

Metrolinx is continuing its project to upgrade Cooksville GO Station, as part of the GO Expansion Program.

Starting Monday, October 26, GO Transit is closing the pedestrian bridge, the stairway from the train platform to the pedestrian bridge and the elevator from the train platform to the pedestrian bridge. A contractor is painting in the stairway area.

You can use the elevators in the parking garage to reach the tunnels which will bring you to the train platform.

GO is closing the bridge, station and elevator “for about one week” or until November 2.

Monday, September 21, GO opened the east pavilion, east tunnel, east side of the platform and the pedestrian bridge.

Construction is ongoing at the station. Some items, including digital signs, will not be complete “until later this fall” or until November 14.

Since “the week of May 4”, GO has closed all parking spaces on the main lot west of Hurontario Street, as contractors resurface the lot. GO says that ample space, including carpool and accessible parking spots, is available in the parking garage. The parking lot remains closed “until the end of 2020” or until December 31.

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

Metrolinx continues to improve accessibility and other amenities at Burlington GO Station, as part of the GO Expansion Program.

Starting Monday, October 26, GO Transit is closing all elevators in the station, while crews upgrade them. GO says, “The elevators are reaching the end of their lifespan and these updates will make them more efficient and reliable.”

If you need an elevator, you have no access to train platforms at Burlington GO, starting Monday.

GO is advising passengers who need an elevator to reach the platforms to travel, instead, to and from Aldershot GO Station — one station to the west — or Appleby GO Station — one station to the east.

If you need help to get to one of these stations, you can register for GO’s accessible shuttle service by calling 416-869-3200 or 1-888-438-6646 (toll0free). You can also ask for a paper copy of the request form from a station attendant. Make your request 48 hours before you travel.

Burlington Transit buses along the 1 Plains - Fairview route also connect passengers between Burlington and Appleby GO stations.

The elevator in the north parking structure will still be available during construction.

GO is also building a secure bike locker at the station. Construction on both the elevators and the bike locker continues until “spring 2021” or until June 30, 2021.

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”).

Rendering of the future station building and parking structure. Image: GO Transit

Metrolinx continues a project to upgrade Bramalea GO Station, as part of the GO Expansion Program.

GO Transit is closing the the exit lane to Bramalea Road on the north side of the station Saturday, October 24. Crews are installing a storm sewer pipe in the area. Motorists on the north side of the station must exit onto Steeles Avenue East.

Brampton Transit is detouring buses along this route, while the exit lane is closed:

• 15 Bramalea

Starting Monday, April 20, GO permanently closed the centre pedestrian tunnel at the station. It’s building a new tunnel.

Since GO has temporarily suspended train service to and from the south platform, don’t use that platform if you need an elevator to access the station building, bus loop or parking lot on the north side. Elevators are not available at the south platform.

While GO upgrades the platforms, you may have to board or exit from trains at a different location than usually.

Travelling from Bramalea GO Station

• Look for signs to show you where to stand and remember to spread out along the platform to help keep trains on time.
• A temporary accessible ramp is available on the east end of the island platform near the elevator.
• Some coaches will not open from outside of the train. Spread out along the platform and keep the accessibility coach available for those who need it most.

Travelling to Bramalea GO Station

• Listen to the announcements on the train that will let you know which cars open doors at Bramalea GO Station.

^ Click to enlarge.

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

At Bramalea, they’re building:

• a new station structure, which links to a parking garage, adding as many as 1,300 spaces;
• a new passenger pick-up and drop-off area (or “kiss ‘n’ ride”);
• better bus platforms for GO Transit and Brampton Transit, with a new bus loop only for Brampton’s Züm rapid-transit buses;
• a bike-storage room;
• new retail spaces;
• better access to Bramalea Road;
• a new accessible pedestrian tunnel at the west end of the station;
• better safety features, including new emergency call systems and upgraded lighting; and
• better platforms with a snow-melting system, canopies and capacity for 12-car trains.

MiWay is making minor changes to its services, starting Monday, October 26.

During its meeting of Thursday, October 22, the Toronto Transit Commission — the TTC’s board of directors — approved a plan to invest $550-million to buy new vehicles and upgrade the transit system. The City of Toronto is funding the investment through the City Building Fund (.pdf).

As part of the fleet procurement strategy and plan (.pdf), the board approved buying:

• 600 new buses - 300 hybrid buses that would start serving passengers in 2022 and 300 new e-buses that would start rolling out in 2023;
• 70 new Wheel-Trans vehicles starting in 2022.
• 13 more streetcars on streets starting in 2023.

The TTC will choose one of three manufacturers to supply the e-buses that are part of this strategy. It’s currently testing models from each of New Flyer Industries Inc. (now, officially, Proterra Inc. and BYD Canada Co. Ltd., so it can evaluate each make of bus, as part of a pilot project. The pilot project will help it determine which buses to buy for its future electric bus fleet.

“Electrifying” vehicles is a key component of the City’s TransformTO climate-action strategy, which aims to reduce local greenhouse-gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050. To meet that target, the City requires 100 per cent of vehicles in Toronto to transition to low-carbon energy by 2050. Electrifying buses is an example of the City committing to its goal and leading by example. Vehicles generate about one-third of the emissions in Toronto today.

The plan also includes a commitment to buy 47 more streetcars if senior governments provide further funding to support public transit in Toronto.

The plan also funds the start of a process to buy 80 new subway trains for Lines 1 and 2. The new trains accommodate projects to extend both lines and to upgrade the signalling system on Line 2.

“This plan will see hundreds of new energy-efficient and zero-emission buses carrying TTC [passengers]… to replace our aging fleet, advance the City’s climate change goals and improve the [passenger] experience, while promoting economic prosperity and the social vibrancy of the city,” said the TTC’s chief executive officer, Rick Leary.

“This is a positive step forward for the future of Toronto transit,” said Mayor John Tory. “Investing in new vehicles and necessary upgrades will make sure our TTC is operating at its best and moving as many people as possible. The plan approved by the Board today starts making those investments in key areas. Now it is also extremely important that Toronto’s investments are in short order matched by the federal and provincial governments who both understand the importance of investing in transit, investing in Canadian-built vehicles, and investing in our post-COVID future.”

The TTC is closing Line 1 Yonge - University this weekend between Sheppard West and St Clair West stations. Line 1 subway trains operate only between Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and Sheppard West stations and between St Clair West and Finch stations all day Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25.

Shuttle buses partly replace subway service. The buses drop off or pick up passengers at stops on the street near each station on the closed section of the line.

(Or consider a shuttle-bus alternative.)

While shuttle buses are accessible, Wheel-Trans service is also available. Ask TTC staff in each station for information about Wheel-Trans service from that station.

Yorkdale, Glencairn and Eglinton West stations are closed this weekend. All other stations remain open so you can buy fares and connect with buses and streetcars.

While this section of Line 1 is closed, TTC crews are maintaining and upgrading the tracks.

According to a TTC news release, “While the TTC does most subway maintenance at the conclusion of service each night, it continues to require weekend and early weeknight closures to complete critical infrastructure and state of good repair work as well as… signal upgrades.”