The TTC is closing Line 1 Yonge - University subway between Sheppard - Yonge and Bloor stations Sunday, August 22. Line 1 trains operate only between Finch and Sheppard - Yonge stations and between Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and Bloor stations after 11 p.m. 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 and Line 4 Sheppard trains. However, Summerhill Station is closed.
Note also that the TTC is closing exits / entrances at two other stations:
- at York Mills Station, the Old York Mills Road exit / entrance is closed. Use the other station entrances in the York Mills Centre and the Yonge Corporate Centre or at the corner of Yonge Street and Wilson Avenue.
- at Lawrence Station, the automatic entrances / exits at Ranleigh Avenue and Bedford Park Avenue are closed. Use the entrances at Yonge Street and Lawrence Avenue.
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.
While this section of Line 1 is closed, TTC crews are testing the automatic train control (ATC) signalling system in the subway corridor.
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.”
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 Sheppard - Yonge Station terminal, then proceed:
westward along Sheppard Avenue West;
northward along Beecroft Road;
eastward along Elmhurst Avenue;
southward along Yonge Street;
east- and southward along Church Street; and then
westward along Bloor Street East to Yonge Street,
ending their trips.Northbound buses start their trips on Bloor Street East east of Yonge Street, then proceed:
northward along Yonge Street;
westward along Sheppard Avenue West; and then
northward into Sheppard - Yonge Station bus terminal,
ending their trips.
Shuttle-bus alternatives
Plan your trips on the subway ahead of time this Sunday to avoid stress and crowds. Leave extra time in your schedule and expect longer travelling times that day.
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 Station.
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.
At the closure area:
- Buses along the 84 Sheppard West route 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.
- 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.
South of the closure area
- Streetcars 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.
- Buses along the 501 Queen route and board the subway at Osgoode Station, instead of Queen Station.
- Streetcars along the 501 Queen and 504 King routes and board the subway at St. Andrew Station, instead of King Station.