In addition to the usual budget-time dance around a possible fare hike, the TTC found itself in the news this week for two very unusual reasons.

This morning, the Yonge subway was closed between York Mills and Bloor during the morning rush hour as workers were overcome by noxious fumes from a gas-powered washer in the tunnels north of Eglinton station. Shuttle buses were pressed into service, and commuters report that TTC workers were on hand to route incoming passengers onto buses heading towards the Spadina line. Eight workers were treated in Toronto General and Sunnybrook Hospitals, but were not seriously hurt. Trains were back in operation by 8 a.m.

In happier news, the TTC’s Wellesley station was the distinctive venue where Mary Kim came into the world yesterday morning at 9:20 a.m.. Hui Cheon Kim and his wife, Sun Hee Paik, were on their way from their Scarborough home when Sun Hee’s labour progressed so rapidly, she could do nothing but lie down on the subway platform. Mother and baby (all 6-pound, 4-ounces of her) made it to St. Michael’s an hour later and are in excellent condition. However, this story raises some issues about how attentive Torontonians are to such crises. A surprising number of people simply sidestepped the drama and offered no assistance, but some were kind enough to help. Ana Giczey knew what to do, leant assistance immediately, and stayed throughout the ordeal.

Trains were not stopped as they posed no threat to the individuals on the scene, but the TTC announced that service was slow due to the delivery. The PA system then announced to all passengers that the mother had just had a baby girl.