The TTC is continuing its “Easier Access” program to install elevators in its rapid-transit stations, making the subway system accessible for everyone. The program supports the government of Ontario’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Although the provincial legislation committed the TTC to achieving a barrier-free transit system by 2025, it hasn’t completely met that goal. It continues projects to improve the accessibility of stations over the next few years. According to the TTC, 56 stations are now accessible and it still has to make 16 more stations accessible. 15 stations are under construction.

^ Rendering of future bus terminal at Warden Station, looking south from St. Clair Avenue East.

At Warden Station, the transit agency is completely rebuilding the bus terminal. The new terminal will feature plenty of natural light and more accessible platforms, which includes elevators between the terminal level and the train platforms.

Starting Sunday, January 5, the TTC is closing the bus terminal and rerouting buses to a temporary terminal in the former south commuter-parking lot — or to stops on the street beside the station. A temporary waiting lot for passenger pick-up and drop-off will be available off Warden Avenue, south of the new temporary bus terminal.

Buses along these routes drop off or pick up passengers at bus bays in the temporary terminal:

• 9 Bellamy (Bay #5);
• 16 McCowan (Bay #5);
• 17 Birchmount (Bay #2);
• 69 Warden South (Bay #4 - pick-up only);
• 135 Gerrard (Bay #4); and
• Wheel-Trans (Bay #3).

Buses along these routes serve passengers at temporary bus bays on Warden Avenue:

• 8 Broadview (Bay #7);
• 68 Warden (Bay #8);
• 102 Markham Rd (Bay #6);
• 117 Birchmount South (Bay #1 - drop-off only);
• 902 Markham Rd express (Bay #6);
• 968 Warden express (Bay #8).

The TTC continues to interline buses along the 69 Warden South and 117 Birchmount South routes. That means buses serve one continuous route between the area of St. Clair Avenue East / Kingston Road and Victoria Park Station bus terminal. Northbound buses along the 69 Warden South route drop off passengers at Bay #1 on the street (just outside the new temporary terminal), then pick up passengers to continue southbound along the 117 Birchmount South route. Northbound buses along the 117 Birchmount South route drop off passengers at Bay #4 in the new temporary terminal, then pick up passengers to continue southbound along the 69 Warden South route.

When transferring from an on-street bus stop to the station, you must tap the PRESTO card reader at the fare gate using the same PRESTO, debit or credit card you tapped on the bus. This will validate your free transfer within the two-hour period. If you’re paying by cash, TTC ticket or token, you must get a paper transfer from the bus operator as your proof-of-payment and show it to the collector when entering the station.

Warden Station is a combined Easier Access Phase III and bus-terminal redevelopment project. Two elevators will connect passengers between the Passenger Pick Up / Drop Off (PPUDO) area (or “kiss and ride”), the concourse level and the subway platforms at the station. The TTC will also repair finishes and wayfinding tiles throughout the station and, collaborating with the City of Toronto and CreateTO, improve the streetscape by integrating urban design elements and public art.

The new bus terminal will be a two-level building structure comprising:

• Street-level bus platform with 12 bays:
• Parking or storage space for six articulated and six (6) regular transit buses for loading and unloading passengers; and
• Three bays designated for Wheel-Trans vehicles.

The above-ground bus-terminal concourse level includes:

• Six retail spaces and public, universal washrooms;
• Provisions for connection to a future CreateTO residential development beside the old bus terminal.

For access between the bus terminal street-level and the concourse level, the station will include:

• Two elevators;
• Two escalators; and
• Common staircases.

It also includes:

• a “green roof”.