Transit Toronto

A Thank You and a Call for Help

We have been producing this website for twenty-nine years, and it could not have been done without your support and encouragement. We are very grateful, and we thank you. We’re pleased to have built a community of commentators on our social media pages and followers on our YouTube video channel. It makes working on this website and its YouTube channel a great joy. Thank you once again.

It has also been over a year since we removed intrusive Google advertising from our website. It has been seven months since we shifted to our new YouTube Channel to ensure stable operation now and for the future. Doing this has cut into our funding. While we’re happy to continue with our work, it would help if we could cover more of our costs. We need to pay for domain name renewals, webhosting fees, software, and other things related to our video production. We’re hoping you can help.

Subscribe, Like and Share on YouTube.

Since moving to our new YouTube channel, we’ve grown our subscriber base towards the 1,000-subscriber minimum required to re-monetize our YouTube Channel and control the ads that appear on our videos. We also need 4,000 hours of people watching our content between now and September 2026, and we’re almost three-quarters of the way there. On our old YouTube channel, we still have over 4,000 subscribers, so if you are an old subscriber, and haven’t yet subscribed to our new channel, please click over and do so. If you aren’t a subscriber, now’s the time to sign up. It would also be good if you could like and share our videos and comment to help with engagement.

Monetizing our YouTube Channel offers an extra benefit to you, our audience. Right now, YouTube runs advertisements on our videos regardless, unless people pay for a YouTube Premium subscription, and we receive none of that revenue. I know from experience that the adverts YouTube runs can be intrusive, appearing in the middle of our longer videos. Once we are able to monetize our channel, we will take control over the ads that appear on our videos and where they appear. When we re-monetize, you should see only one or two short ads at the start of a video and one at the end. On our longer videos, we’ll ease up on mid-roll advertising, using it sparingly and only in spots where ads don’t disrupt the video’s flow or action. Better yet, you will know that the ads you watch will help pay for the costs of running the Transit Toronto website and its YouTube channel, rather than just YouTube.

And if you do pay for a YouTube Premium subscription to avoid YouTube ads, we’ll receive some revenue from YouTube for every video you watch.

A Sale for Our Patreon Supporters

Rather than slogging through ads, Patreon allows people to support their favourite artists and producers through direct contributions, often in return for perks. We’ve been pleased to create a small community on our Transit Toronto Patreon Page. It’s free to join, and all members receive announcements about our plans for the website, upcoming videos, and other projects. There are also paid tiers which people can join for a modest monthly subscription fee. Through these paid tiers, you can receive “adblock absolution”, or you can see your name in the credits of our videos, or free merchandise and, once we get o ur act together, exclusive videos such as b-roll footage, in addition to the early access videos we currently offer to all members, free and paid.

To encourage things along, we are holding a sale on Patreon memberships. Currently, there are sixteen free members on our Patreon page and twelve paid members. Half of our paid members are subscribed to the “adblock abosolution tier” while the other half are “named supporters”. With that in mind, we’re pleased to announce that the first twenty-five people who sign up to the AdBlock Absolution tier for $3.75 USD per month — including those who have already signed up — will be treated like named supporters, with their names appearing in the credits of all future videos on our YouTube channel.

Also, the first 25 named supporters — including those who have already signed up — will receive a special gift: a Transit Toronto mug from our Zazzle store. We do hope that those who sign up will stick at that level for a few months, so we can cover the costs of producing these mugs.

So, if you’ve wanted to help Transit Toronto maintain its website, produce its videos, and grow its online community, now is [the perfect time to sign up]](https://www.patreon.com/146911/join). Please subscribe to our new YouTube Channel, and consider becoming a Patreon member.

We thank everyone who has supported us these past few years, and we look forward to more years of work, research, article writing, video production and more. Thank you all for your time and attention, and we look forward to sharing more together about public transit in the Greater Toronto Area.

Metrolinx continues building the Ontario Line subway between Exhibition Place / Ontario Place and the area near the former Ontario Science Centre, through downtown Toronto.

The TTC is advising passengers that it’s detouring streetcars along this route “during Ontario-Line construction,” starting 7 p.m. Monday, April 13:

• 301 Queen overnight;
• 501 Queen.

Shuttle buses replace the cars between Emdaabiimok Avenue / Coxwell Avenue and Parliament Street.

Metrolinx contractors are working on several projects at Queen Street East and DeGrassi Street — the site of the future Riverside - Leslieville Station, including:

• borehole investigation;
• overnight equipment delivery; and
• fibre-optic cable installation.

This phase of Metrolinx construction at the site of the future Ontario Line Riverside - Leslieville Station and the resulting TTC detours continue until April 17 (4 a.m.)

The TTC also continues to detour the cars around construction on Queen Street East between Broadview Avenue and Davies Street.

Starting Saturday, April 11, the TTC and its contractor are installing new cable

• on Queen Street East between Sumach and Sackville streets.

The TTC says, “This work is part of TTC’s preventative maintenance program, ensuring safe and reliable streetcar service. Around-the-clock work is required to preserve the integrity and quality of new rail and concrete.”

During this project, crews:

• mill the old concrete;
• saw-cut the concrete;
• break and remove the old concrete;
• install new cable;
• replace streetcar rail; and
• place new concrete.

Crews mostly work in streetcar right-of-way (the centre lanes) on Queen East. Traffic can flow in both directions in the curb lanes.

To create safe a work zone, the City of Toronto may temporarily prohibit on-street parking in the area. The location of the work zone may restrict left turns onto or off of Queen.

“Paid-duty” Toronto Police Service officers or flag persons will be on-site to help facilitate traffic movements.

Crews work on Queen East between Sumach and Sackville streets until April 19.

Starting Monday, April 13 until Saturday, April 18, TTC crews are repairing the rail

• at the intersection of Queen Street East with Boulton Avenue.

  The TTC says, “These repairs are part of TTC’s preventative maintenance program to ensure safe and reliable streetcar operations.” The transit agency has scheduled this work to coincide with Metrolinx Ontario-Line construction. at Queen Street and De Grassi Street. Crews may also repair tracks at other nearby intersections, including:

• Queen Street East at McGee Street; and

• Queen Street East at Lewis Street.

The TTC explains that crews “are working around-the-clock to ensure quality installation of new rail and concrete. Excavation activities and heavy breaking will be carried out at various times during the day.” They’ll complete noisy activities, such as welding and grinding, during daytime.

During this project, crews:

• saw-cut the old concrete;
• break and remove the old concrete;
• replace streetcar rail; and
• place new concrete.

Expect to hear noise and see lights from construction activities.

Crews mostly work in streetcar right-of-way (the centre lanes) on Queen East. Traffic can flow in both directions in the curb lanes.

To create safe a work zone, the City of Toronto may temporarily prohibit on-street parking in the area. The location of the work zone may restrict left turns onto or off of Queen.

“Paid-duty” Toronto Police Service officers or flag persons will be on-site to help facilitate traffic movements.

Crews work on Queen East at Boulton until April 18.

Durham Region Transit is revising its routes and services, starting Monday, April 13.

The Around the Bay 30K Road Race in Burlington and Hamilton extensively disrupts transit services in those cities this Sunday, April 12.

The TTC is cancelling its plan to close Line 2 Bloor - Danforth between Keele and St George stations, as it continues to inspect the root cause of two recent hydraulic-fluid leaks from work cars.

Friday, April 10, TTC chief executive officer Mandeep S. Lali suspended the work-car fleet effective immediately, until the TTC is confident that the cars are safe and reliable to operate. As a result of this suspension, this weekend’s closure will not proceed, as work cars are required to transport materials and carry out essential functions during the closure.

Subway service along all lines are operating with regular service Saturday and Sunday.

The transit agency planned this weekend’s closure to allow it to install 5G technology along that stretch of track to facilitate cellular service in the tunnels. This work remains a priority for the TTC, and teams will work to reschedule this closure before the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer.

The TTC alerted passengers about hydraulic oil on the Line 2 Bloor - Danforth tracks about 6:15 a.m. Tuesday, April 7. It disrupted service between Kipling and Keele stations until about 5 p.m. that day as crews cleaned up the oil.

CBC News Toronto explained in a post that the oil had spilled from a maintenance vehicle near Old Mill station around 2:45 a.m.

The CBC wrote that CEO Lali apologized to commuters for the disruption in a statement posted to social media that day. He said that he had ordered “an immediate and comprehensive review to determine what happened.” “We will identify the root causes and implement clear, corrective actions at pace. The goal is simple: this must not happen again.”.

Then, yesterday, April 10, a second hydraulic fluid spill forced the TTC to halt service **between Ossington and Woodbine stations. The TTC confirmed the closure shortly after the morning commute began, citing a significant spill somewhere along the east-west corridor. Shuttle buses were operating until the subway reopened at about 7:30 a.m.

According a report by CityNews reporter Lucas Casaletto, the cause of the spill remains under investigation:

“Earlier, a TTC spokesperson said trains were turning back at Ossington and Woodbine while crews worked to locate the source and full extent of the fluid spill, with the affected area stretching from roughly Greenwood Station west to St. George, a span of more than six kilometres.”

As part of its preventative maintenance program, the TTC continues to schedule monthly overhead-wiring inspections “to ensure reliable streetcar service.”

Starting 11 p.m. Friday, April 10, the TTC is closing

• the Harbourfront streetcar tunnel (under Bay Street)

to accommodate TTC crews who are inspecting and maintaining the overhead wiring in the tunnel.

While the tunnel is closed, the transit agency is detouring streetcars along these routes:

• 310 Spadina overnight;
• 509 Harbourfront; and
• 510 Spadina.

Shuttle buses replace the cars between Spadina / Queens Quay Loop and Union Station.

Overhead-wiring inspection in the Harbourfront streetcar tunnel and the resulting TTC detours continue until April 13 (4 a.m.).

Note that overnight from 7 p.m. Saturday, April 11 until 7 a.m. Sunday, April 12, the TTC further revises service due to City of Toronto construction in the area.

It’s replacing all streetcars along this route with buses:

• 509 Harbourfront.

And, it’s shortening the path for streetcars along these routes:

• 310 Spadina overnight; and
• 510 Spadina.

Shuttle buses replace route 310 / 510 cars south of King Street West.

Metrolinx and its contractors continue building the Hurontario light rail transit line in Mississauga and Brampton. When the line is operating, it will be called the Hazel McCallion Line, to honour the late Mississauga mayor.

Starting 8 a.m. Friday, April 10, the City of Brampton is closing

• County Court Boulevard [south] east of Hurontario Street

to accommodate contractors who are upgrading the storm-water infrastructure as part of the LRT project. The work zone is near the site of the future Ray Lawson LRT Station.

Brampton Transit is detouring buses along these routes, while the street is closed:

• 54 County Court; and
• 56 Kingknoll.

This phase of storm-water construction near the future Ray Lawson Station and the resulting Brampton Transit detours continue until April 13 (5 a.m.)

Metrolinx continues to upgrade the Stouffville rail corridor as part of the GO Expansion Program.

This Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12, GO Transit is cancelling train service along the 71 Stouffville line due to construction. GO buses replace the trains between Old Elm and Unionville GO stations and operate express — without stopping — between Unionville and Union Station Bus Terminal.

GO isn’t providing any service at Milliken, Agincourt or Kennedy GO stations. Board TTC trains or buses to travel to and from those stations. York Region Transit buses also operate to and from Milliken.

GO is also adjusting some late-night service Friday, April 10.

Friday, April 10

• GO is extending the northbound train that starts its trip Union Station at 10 p.m. The train continues from Mount Joy to Stouffville and Old Elm GO stations. If you are travelling further northward to Uxbridge, you can connect to the 70D GO bus at Mount Joy.
• GO buses replace the train that usually starts in Union at 12:01 a.m.:

• a GO bus along route 71C starts in Union Station Bus Terminal at 12:05 a.m., operates express — without stopping —to Unionville, then drops off or picks up passengers in all stations to Old Elm.
• a GO bus along route 71G starts in Union terminal at 12:17 a.m. and operates express to Unionville, ending its trip.

Saturday, April 11
Sunday, April 12

• Buses replace all trains:

• buses along route 71C operate express between Union and Unionville, then drop off or pick up passengers in all stations to Old Elm.
• buses along route 71E operate express between Union and Unionville, then drop off or pick up passengers in all stations to Mount Joy.
• buses along route 71G operate express between Union and Unionville, ending their trips.

Southbound connections:

• If you are transferring to replacement GO buses from GO buses along route 70 at Mount Joy, you will have a 14- to 19-minute connection time (as much as four minutes more than usual).

Northbound connections:

• If you are transferring to GO buses along route 70 at Old Elm from replacement GO buses, you will have a 10- to 16-minute connection time (as much as eight minutes more than usual).
• If you are transferring to GO buses along route 70 at Mount Joy from replacement GO buses, you will have a 9- to 14-minute connection time (as much as six minutes more than usual).

Regular train service resumes Monday, April 13.

GO explains that, “During the closure, crews are conducting necessary maintenance on retaining walls within the rail corridor to ensure the infrastructure that supports service along the Stouffville line remains safe and reliable.”

GO is also replacing trains with buses along the 09 Lakeshore East line this weekend.

Metrolinx and GO plan to accommodate more passengers and increase service along the Stouffville line line, as part of the GO Expansion Program (formerly “regional express rail”).

Metrolinx continues to upgrade the Lakeshore East rail corridor as part of the GO Expansion Program.

This Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12, GO Transit is cancelling train service along the 09 Lakeshore East line due to construction. GO buses replace the trains. The buses drop off or pick up passengers in all stations between Durham College Oshawa and Pickering GO stations and then operate express — without stopping — between Pickering and Union Station Bus Terminal.

GO isn’t providing any service at Rouge Hill, Guildwood, Eglinton, Scarborough and Danforth GO stations. Board TTC trains, buses or streetcars to travel to and from those stations.

GO is also adjusting some late-night service Friday, April 10.

Friday, April 10

Westbound:

• GO buses along route 90B replace the trains that usually start their trips in Oshawa at 11:09 and 11:39 p.m.
• The buses pick up or drop off passengers in Whitby, Ajax and Pickering GO stations, then operate express to Union Station Bus Terminal.

Eastbound:

• The train that starts in Union at 11:22 ends its trip in Whitby. You can connect in Whitby with a GO bus to travel further eastward toward Oshawa.
• GO buses along route 90B from Union bus terminal replace the trains that usually start in Union Station at 11:50 p.m. and 12:20 and 12:50 a.m.
• The buses operate express to Pickering, serve passengers in Ajax and Whitby and then end their trips in Oshawa.

Buses along route 88

• Southbound passengers aboard a bus along the 88 Peterborough / Oshawa route that arrives in Durham College Oshawa GO Station bus terminal at 11:24 p.m. must wait 21 minutes to connect with the rail-replacement bus that leaves at 11:40 p.m. (The wait time is one minute more than usual).
• Northbound passengers aboard the replacement buses that end their trips in Oshawa at 12:55 and 1 a.m. must wait four or nine minutes to connect with the route 88 bus that starts at 1:04 a.m. (The wait time is one minute more or four minutes fewer than usual).

Saturday, April 11
Sunday, April 12

• Buses replace all trains.

• GO buses along route 90B operate express between Union and Pickering, then drop off or pick up passengers in all stations between Pickering and Oshawa.
• GO buses along route 90R operate express between Union and Pickering, then serve passengers in Ajax.
• GO buses along route 90W operate express between Union and Whitby, then serve passengers in Oshawa.

Buses along route 88

• Southbound passengers aboard buses along route 88 must wait in Oshawa six to 21 minutes to connect with rail-replacement buses. (The wait time is from nine minutes fewer and six minutes more than usual.)
• Northbound passengers aboard replacement buses must wait five to 30 minutes to connect with route 88 buses. (The wait time is from nine minutes fewer and as much as 22 minutes more than usual).

Monday, April 13

• Some trains must operate more slowly than usually due to the weekend construction. Some trains between Pickering and Durham College Oshawa GO arrive or leave stations a few minutes later than usually.

Regular train service resumes Tuesday, April 14.

This weekend, Metrolinx, crews are improving the tracks, including installing crossover switches and?new track panels,?replacing ballast and drainage, surfacing track,?welding?and de-stressing.?

And, Metrolinx says it’s continuing working on the Ontario Line, “carrying out utility work in Toronto’s east end.”

GO is also replacing trains with buses along the 71 Stouffville line this weekend.

Metrolinx and GO plan to accommodate more passengers and increase service along the Lakeshore East line, as part of the GO Expansion Program (formerly “regional express rail”).

From 11 p.m. Thursday, April 9 until 4 a.m. Friday, April 10, TTC crews are conducting “infrastructure work”

• at the intersection of Queen Street West with Dufferin Street.

(The transit agency also says it’s inspecting the underpass at that intersection.)

It’s detouring streetcars along these routes, while the crews are working:

• 301 Queen overnight; and
• 501 Queen.

Shuttle buses replace the cars between Roncesvalles Avenue / King Street West and Shaw Street.