In just a few months, students at York University will finally be able to use the subway extension they have been dreaming about.
The Toronto Transit Commission has announced they are on time to open the 8.6 km, six-stop Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension (TYSSE) by Dec. 17 of this year. The YSEE will run from Vaughan Metropolitan Centre to to Sheppard West (formerly Downsview), connecting with Line 1. Stops include York University, Pioneer Village, and Highway 407.
The TYSSE will be the first TTC route that crosses municipal boundaries, connecting Toronto and the Region of York. Each station has been specifically designed to integrate into each different neighbourhood. Pioneer Village’s station includes high columns with a green roof and a number of environmentally-friendly additions. Highway 407’s station has a beautiful stain-glass and the York University Campus station is sleek, modern, and pedestrian-friendly.
At a TTC Board meeting Tuesday, CEO Andy Byford expressed his excitement at being so close to the opening day, but also said there was a lot of work to be done before Dec. 17.
“There is a huge amount to do before [the launch]. We have literally hundreds of thousands of pieces of equipment to test and commission individually and then as a system, including systems checking … back at the control centre.”
Fare equipment still needs to be installed in some of the stations and a new signalling system needs to be tested, followed by a final safety review prior to the opening. However, Byford is confident the work will get done on time.
The TYSSE was deemed a priority transit project by Toronto’s city council back in 2005.