From Wednesday, September 29 until Friday, October 1, the TTC is closing Line 1 Yonge - University subway between Eglinton and King stations earlier than usually. Line 1 subway trains operate only between Finch and Eglinton stations and between Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and King stations after 11 p.m. those nights.
Shuttle buses partly replace subway service. The buses mostly operate along Yonge Street, dropping off or picking up passengers at stops on the street near all stations on the closed section of the line.
(Or, consider a shuttle-bus alternative.)
Most stations on this section of Line 1 remain open so you can pay fares or connect with TTC buses and streetcars or Line 2 Bloor - Danforth trains. However, Summerhill, College and Queen stations are closed.
King Station is not yet an accessible station. If you’re travelling southbound along this part of Line 1 and need an accessible connection, exit the train at Queen Station and ask any TTC customer service employee for help.
While this section of the subway is closed, TTC crews are maintaining the tracks (September 29 and 3) and testing the automatic train control (ATC) signalling system in the subway corridor (October 1).
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 early October:
- Saturday, October 2 and Sunday, October 3 — Sheppard - Yonge to Bloor — Metrolinx construction of the Eglinton Crosstown light rail transit line; maintenance.
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:
southward along Yonge Street;
westwardalong King Street West;
southward along Bay Street;
westward along Wellington Street West; and then
northward along York Street to King West,
ending their trips.Northbound buses start their trips on York Street at King Street West, then proceed:
eastward along King East;
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 late evenings this week to avoid stress. Leave extra time in your schedule and expect longer travelling times.
While shuttle buses operate frequently, they may 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.
Ride buses or streetcars on routes serving streets north of or at the closure to reach stations on the University branch. Also buses along the 97 Yonge route operate to and from on-street stops north of Davisville Station**.
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 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.
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 Line 2 Bloor - Danforth and board Line 1 Yonge - University at St. George Station, instead of Yonge Station.
- 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.