All day Saturday, March 13, the TTC is closing Line 1 Yonge - University subway between Eglinton and King stations. Line 1 trains operate only between Finch and Eglinton stations and between Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and King stations that day.
Shuttle buses partly replace subway service. The buses drop off or pick up passengers on the street near stations on this part of the line.
(Or, consider a shuttle-bus alternative.)
Most stations on the closed section of Line 1 remain open so you can pay fares or connect with TTC buses, streetcars and Line 2 Bloor - Danforth trains. However, Summerhill and Dundas stations are closed.
Although all shuttle buses are accessible, Wheel-Trans service is also available from all stations. Ask TTC staff in each station for information about Wheel-Trans.
Since King Station is not yet accessible, passengers intending to travel northbound on the Yonge side of Line 1 who require an accessible connection should exit the train at Union Station and ask any TTC customer service employee for help.
While this section of Line 1 is closed, TTC crews are installing the automatic train control (ATC) signalling system in the subway corridor. Crews also repair the tunnel liner.
The TTC says that “The existing signals, relays, wiring and cabling equipment, much of which is over 60 years old, need replacing as their failure significantly impacts service. Once Automatic Train Control is fully installed and operational, [passengers] will see improved frequency of subway service, less crowding and greater reliability of the signal system.”
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 ATC signal upgrades.”
The TTC is closing this section of Line 1 at least once more in March:
- Sunday, March 14 — Sheppard - Yonge to Bloor — ATC installation.
Shuttle buses
(We’ve based this part of the post on information available from TransSee, a web application that provides real-time bus tracking and predicts the location of the next vehicles at a stop.)
Southbound buses start their trips in Eglinton Station bus terminal, then proceed:
eastward along Berwick Avenue;
southward along Yonge Street;
westward along Front Street West;
northward along Bay Street;
westward along Wellington Street West; and then
northward along University Avenue to King Street West,
ending their trips.Northbound buses start their trips on University Avenue south of King Street West, then proceed:
eastward along King West;
northward along Yonge Street;
westward along Berwick Avenue; and then
northward into Eglinton Station bus terminal,
ending their trips.
Shuttle-bus alternatives
Plan your trips on the subway ahead of time this weekend to avoid stress and crowds. Leave extra time in your schedule and expect longer traveling times those days.
While shuttle buses operate frequently, they will be crowded.
Regular TTC buses and streetcars provide less frequent, less direct, but, perhaps, less stressful alternatives. Consider travelling along the University branch, instead of the Yonge branch, to and from downtown Toronto and avoid the shuttle buses entirely. Or board buses along the 97 Yonge route to travel to and from stops on Yonge north of Davisville Avenue / Chaplin Crescent.
Ride buses or streetcars along routes serving streets north or south of the closure to reach stations on the University branch.
North of the closure area:
- Buses along the 36 Finch West route and board the subway at Finch West Station, instead of Finch Station.
- Buses along the 84 Sheppard West and 984 Sheppard West express routes and board the subway at Sheppard West Station, instead of Sheppard - Yonge Station.
- Buses along the 96 Wilson or 165 Weston Rd North routes and board the subway at Wilson Station, instead of York Mills Station.
- Buses along the 52 Lawrence West route and board the subway at Lawrence West Station, instead of Lawrence Station.
At the closure area:
- Buses along the 32 Eglinton West route and board the subway at Eglinton West Station, instead of Eglinton Station.
- Streetcars along the 512 St. Clair route and board the subway at St. Clair West Station, instead of St. Clair Station.
- Trains along the 2 Bloor - Danforth subway line and board the 1 Yonge - University line at St. George Station, instead of Yonge Station.
- Buses along the 506 Carlton route and board the subway at Queen’s Park Station, instead of College Station.
- Streetcars along the 505 Dundas route and board the subway at St. Patrick Station, instead of Dundas Station.
- Streetcars along the 501 Queen route and board the subway at Osgoode Station, instead of Queen Station.
- Streetcars along the 504A / 504B King route and board the subway at St. Andrew Station, instead of King Station.
Note also that buses operate along the 6 Bay route, just one block west of Yonge Street between Bloor Street West and Union Station.
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