Commuters on TTC’s Line 1, traveling between TMU and King stations, are facing delays due to ongoing construction work for the Ontario Line, resulting in a reduced speed zone.
Excavation work beneath the busy intersection of Queen Street West and Yonge Street is underway to connect the new Ontario Line with the existing TTC Line. As a consequence, trains are moving slower between King and TMU stations to ensure the safety of track infrastructure, according to the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).
The slower train speeds have been causing frustration among passengers, with some reporting delays in reaching their destinations. One rider shared, “It’s really slowing down my journey to Union. The sluggish travel on the TTC is making me reconsider traveling to TMU at all.”
Another commuter expressed how the reduced speed has impacted both their daily commute and class schedule. “The snail-paced movement of the line has caused me to miss trains and, consequently, miss classes. The journey back home is becoming increasingly lengthy,” they lamented.
The Ontario government has confirmed that tunneling and construction work is in progress for the entire length of the Ontario Line, expected to span 15 kilometers with 15 stations and over 40 transit connections from Exhibition Place to the Eglinton Crosstown LRT at Don Mills Road. Metrolinx anticipates that more than 200,000 individuals will have convenient access to a subway station within walking distance.
While the TTC assures that the delays at Queen Station are minimal, adding no more than a minute to trips, some riders argue that even this small delay can lead to missed connections and appointments. “I’m constantly running late for Union Station and missing my train. It’s becoming quite stressful,” shared one frustrated commuter.
Although the reduced speeds are temporary, no specific timeline has been provided for when the speed restrictions will be lifted.
