A chance to see Lower Bay Station

If you're in the know, you know that Bay Station actually has two platform levels. The platform below the currently-used Bay Station was in use for only about six months after the Bloor-Danforth line opened in '66.


Every other train on the B-D line would go downtown via the University line at Bay. If that's where you were headed, this was a good thing. This routing meant both Bay and St George had four platforms serving three directions. The Eastbound train would alternate between the two levels at Bay, Westbound doing the same at St George. The routing also meant the entire system could feel the effects of a delay.

So its entrances were boarded up and Lower Bay became a station of neglect.
Much like Upper Bay. And the entire system. Non-revenue trains have continued to use the tracks ever since, primarily to switch lines and for crew training. It's other main purpose is to serve as a set (for a nominal fee) to a number of TV and movie productions.

So here we have a subway station that's been closed for 40 years and next to nil access. A magnet for infiltrators and a curiosity-inducer for urban explorers. As good fortune would have it, the tunnel between Bay and St George needs some repairs.

This means on weekends starting later this month this chunk of tunnel will be closed. If the plan goes as expected, both the East and West trains will terminate at Museum. Trains will get to and from Yonge/Bloor via - you got it, Lower Bay. It's not stopping at the station but still.

So unless you're a TTC employee, work for a production company or are an infiltrator this is likely your only chance to see the other half.


Check out Transit Toronto in my links for lots more about the TTC both past and present.

Categories: Transit, Urban, Exploration