Tomorrow, Sunday, July 31, the TTC is hosting more than 1,000 people during the tenth annual midnight Underground Freedom Train Ride. The event commemorates Emancipation Day in Ontario, August 1, and symbolizes the role of the Underground Railroad in Canadian history.

According to CityNews, “In 2008, the province designated Aug. 1 as Emancipation Day, marking the end of slavery in the British Empire in the mid-19th century…

“The Ontario legislature passed [a] private members’ bill, which was moved by PC MPP Ted Arnott [now speaker of the Ontario Legislature] and [former] Liberal MPP Maria Van Bommel.

“‘Today, we commemorate the anniversary of the enactment of the British Imperial Act, known as Emancipation Day… The British Parliament voted in 1834 to abolish slavery in most of the British Empire,’ the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party’s then-leader, Patrick Brown, said in a statement when the legislature passed the bill.

“‘The passage of the British Imperial Act made Ontario a beacon of freedom and hope, and launched the Underground Railroad, from which escaping slaves found their way to Ontario, and freedom.’”

Blackhurst Cultural Centre (formerly A Different Booklist) is again presenting this year’s event with the TTC. Celebrations include singing, poetry readings, drum-playing and remarks by TTC Chief Diversity and Culture Officer Keisha Campbell.

The event provides an actual underground experience through the subway system to represent the underground railway ride. The Blackhurst website explains that, “Formerly enslaved people undertook an incredible and dangerous journey when migrating to Canada and this symbolic trip helps to keep that history alive.”

Location

• Line 1: Union Station on the University platform heading northward toward Sheppard West Station.
• The event is open to the public.

Schedule

• 11 p.m.: Remarks.
• 11:30 p.m.: Train arrives in Union Station.
• 11:45 p.m.: Freedom Train leaves Union Station
• 12:10 a.m.: Freedom Train arrives in Sheppard West Station
• 12:10 until 12:45 a.m.: main event
• All attendees must leave Sheppard West Station by 1 a.m.

The Freedom Train will travel non-stop between Union and Sheppard West stations. Board the train behind it if you need to stop between these stations.

Fares

Have your fare ready when entering Union Station. If you are using a PRESTO ticket, consider buying a two-ride ticket in advance to make entering the station faster.

Access

TTC staff will be on site to escort passengers with accessibility needs to the elevators and down to platform level for boarding. Everyone else can use the stairs or escalators to the platform.

Freedom Train capacity

The maximum capacity of the Freedom Train is 1,200 people. Once the train is full, you will have to board the next regular service train heading northward toward Sheppard West Station.