Union station (TTC)

{{short description|Toronto subway station}} {{about|the subway station|the adjacent railway station|Union Station (Toronto)|the adjacent intercity bus terminal|Union Station Bus Terminal}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}} {{Infobox station | name = Union | symbol_location = toronto | symbol = 1big | type = | style = Toronto Transit Commission | image = Union Station TTC November 2021.jpg | caption = Union station Yonge-bound platform | address = 55 Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario | country = Canada | coordinates = {{coord|43|38|44|N|79|22|49|W|region:CA-ON_type:railwaystation|display=inline,title}} | other = {{Collapsible list |framestyle=border:none; padding:0;  |title={{rail-interchange|toronto|bus}} TTC buses | 1= {{RouteBox|19||#FF2D16|white}} Bay | 2= {{RouteBox|72B||#FF2D16|white}} Pape | 3= {{color box|white|97|#FF2D16|border=silver}} Yonge | 4= {{RouteBox|114||#FF2D16|white}} Queens Quay East | 5= {{RouteBox|121||#FF2D16|white}} Esplanade–River | 6= {{color box|white|202|#FF2D16|border=pink}} Cherry Beach | 7= {{color box|white|320 8px|#034DA9|border=silver}} Yonge }}<hr /> {{rint|gotransit}} {{rint|toronto|UP}} {{rint|ca|via}} {{rint|us|amtrak}} at Union Station<hr />{{rint|gotransit|bus|}} GO buses at Union Station Bus Terminal<hr />{{rint|bus}} {{rint|flix|bus}} {{rint|us|greyhound}} {{rint|us|megabus}} {{rint|us|trailways}} {{rint|ca|ontcbus}} long-distance buses at Union Station Bus Terminal | website = {{TTC station page}} | structure = Underground | platform = Side platforms | depth = | levels = | tracks = | parking = | bicycle = | opened = {{plainlist| * Line 1: {{Start date and age|1954|03|30}} * Streetcar: {{Start date and age|1990|06|22}} }} | closed = | rebuilt = 2011–2015 | accessible = Yes | owned = | passengers = {{formatnum:{{TTC ridership|Union}}}} | pass_year = {{TTC ridership}} | pass_rank = {{TTC rank|Union}} | services = {{Adjacent stations|system=Toronto Transit Commission |line1=1|left1=St. Andrew|right1=King |line2=509|left2=Queens Quay |line3=510|left3=Queens Quay}} | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 15 | mapframe-marker-color = #000 | mapframe-marker = rail-metro | route_map = {{Routemap|legend=track|inline=y |map-title={{ric|TTC|1}} |map= {{arrow2|up|12px}} {{ric|TTC|1}}~~ ~~! ! * ~~ ~~ ~~{{ric|TTC|1}} {{arrow2|up|12px}} {{BSsplit|''to {{stl|TTC|Vaughan}}''}}~~ ~~! !utSTR!~utSTR~L\utSTR!~utSTR~R\\\\\\\utSTR\utSTR ~~ ~~ ~~ {{BSsplit|''to {{stl|TTC|Finch}}''}} uvvSTRl~LL!~utkSTR2\uvvSTRl~r~r!~utSTRl\utSHI2g+rq\utPSTR(R)q\utPSTR(R)q\utPSTR(R)q\utPSTR(R)q\utSHI4grq\utSTRr\utkSTR3 utkSTRc1\uvvSTRl~GG!~utkSTRl+4\utSHI2g+lq\utPSTR(R)q\utPSTR(R)q\utPSTR(R)q\utPSTR(R)q\utSHI4g+lq\utkSTRr+1\utkSTRc4

|map2-title={{ric|TTC|509}} {{ric|TTC|510}} |map2= \\\\PLT!~MSTR+l!~MASK-c2!~utSTR+l\PLT!~MSTR+r!~MASK-c3!~utSTR+r ~~ ~~ ~~ {{ric|TTC|509}} {{ric|TTC|510}} end *\\\\utdSHI2l\utdSHI2+r\utdSTR ~~ ~~ ~~ {{ric|TTC|509}} ''to {{stl|TTC|Exhibition Loop}}'' *\\\\d\utvSTR ~~ ~~ ~~ {{ric|TTC|510}} ''to {{stl|TTC|Spadina}}'' }} | map_state = collapsed }} '''Union''' is a rapid transit station on Line 1 Yonge–University of the Toronto subway in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It opened in 1954 as one of twelve original stations on the first phase of what was then called the Yonge Subway, the first rapid transit line in Canada. It was the southern terminus of the line until the opening of the University line in 1963, and today, is the inflection point of the U-shaped line. Along with Spadina station and Queens Quay station, it is one of three stations open overnight to support late-night streetcar routes.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://transittoronto.ca/streetcar/4108.shtml |title=Route 510 - The Spadina Streetcar - Transit Toronto - Content |website=transittoronto.ca |access-date=May 29, 2018 |archive-date=August 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810001720/https://transittoronto.ca/streetcar/4108.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

Union station is located on Front Street between the Yonge Street and University Avenue sections of the line. It is named for and directly connects to the railway station and regional bus terminal of the same name, serving all GO Transit train lines and bus services along with Via Rail (including Amtrak's ''Maple Leaf'' service to New York City), Ontario Northland and other intercity bus service providers. It connects to the Union Pearson Express (UPX), a dedicated rail link to Toronto Pearson International Airport. It is the only subway station with a direct connection to Via services.

Based on Toronto's street grid, Union is the southernmost subway station and the closest to Lake Ontario; however, using standard compass directions, Kipling and Islington stations are further south. It serves approximately 100,000 people a day, ranking it as the fourth-busiest station in the system, after Bloor–Yonge, St. George, and Sheppard–Yonge, and the busiest served by only one line. Adjacent to the subway station is an underground terminal loop for the 509 Harbourfront and 510 Spadina streetcar.

In 2007, Union subway station became the first location on the TTC where Presto cards could be used, as part of a trial. Wi-Fi service has been available at this station since 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tconnect.ca/stations.php |title=Wi-fi Now Available At |publisher=TCONNECT |quote=Each of the 65 underground stations will have wireless and Wi-Fi service by 2017. |access-date=January 8, 2015 |archive-date=February 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220204449/http://tconnect.ca/stations.php}}</ref>

==History== thumb|left|Station excavation circa 1949 The station opened as the southern terminus of the original Yonge subway line on March 30, 1954.

On February 28, 1963, Union became a through station with the opening of the University section of the Yonge–University line.

On June 22, 1990, Union became the terminus of route 604 Harbourfront LRT, now part of the 509 Harbourfront and 510 Spadina streetcar routes. A new underground streetcar platform was built south of the subway tracks, connected to the station concourse by a 30-metre pedestrian tunnel and a flight of stairs.<ref name=TT-Union/>

Elevators were installed in 1996, making Union one of the first wheelchair-accessible subway stations in Toronto.<ref name="TTC_Milestones">{{Cite web|title=Milestones|url=https://www.ttc.ca/Style-Guide/history/milestones|access-date=January 20, 2022|website=Toronto Transit Commission|language=en|archive-date=December 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220203337/https://www.ttc.ca/Style-Guide/history/milestones|url-status=live}}</ref> An elevator was added to the streetcar platforms, even though streetcars were not accessible themselves. By the time accessible streetcars began serving the station in 2014, the elevator had been replaced as a part of the station expansion.<ref name=TT-Union/>

On August 18, 2014, a second subway platform was opened to serve Yonge line trains, leaving the existing platform to serve only University line trains.<ref name=TT-2014-08-15>{{cite web |url=http://transittoronto.ca/archives/weblog/2014/08/15-ttc_openin.shtml |title=TTC opening second subway platform at Union Station, August 18 |author=Robert Mackenzie |publisher=Toronto Transit Commission |access-date=May 17, 2015 |archive-date=October 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019085610/https://transittoronto.ca/archives/weblog/2014/08/15-ttc_openin.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Station expansion === In 2003, planning began on a station expansion to address overcrowding in the station. Despite being one of the busiest stations in the system, the station had only one narrow island platform serving both the University and Yonge lines, and a small concourse area.

The plan was to build a new subway platform on the south side of the tracks to serve the Yonge portion of the line, leaving the existing island platform to serve only the University portion. This new platform would feature a step-free connection to the streetcar platform. The project also included an expansion of the concourse level, the replacement of all finishes and signage, installation of public art, as well as improved connections to the adjacent Union Station and the Path network.<ref name="TTC_renovations">{{Cite web|title=TTC marks milestone of revitalized Union Station|url=https://www.ttc.ca/news/2015/July/TTC-marks-milestone-of-revitalized-Union-Station|date=July 2, 2015|website=Toronto Transit Commission|access-date=January 20, 2022|archive-date=January 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120182645/https://www.ttc.ca/news/2015/July/TTC-marks-milestone-of-revitalized-Union-Station|url-status=live}}</ref>

At a cost of {{CAD|137{{Nbsp}}million}}, construction began in February 2011, with the new second platform opening on August 18, 2014.<ref name="TT-Union" /><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://transittoronto.ca/archives/weblog/2014/08/15-ttc_openin.shtml | title=TTC opening second subway platform at Union Station, August 18 - Transit Toronto - Weblog | access-date=March 15, 2020 | archive-date=October 19, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019085610/https://transittoronto.ca/archives/weblog/2014/08/15-ttc_openin.shtml | url-status=live }}</ref> The project was completed in 2015 with the completion of the station renovation.<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 2, 2015|title=TTC celebrates its completion of Union Station subway renovation|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/ttc-celebrates-its-completion-of-union-station-subway-renovation/|access-date=August 30, 2020|website=CTV News|language=en|archive-date=October 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030021428/https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ttc-celebrates-its-completion-of-union-station-subway-renovation-1.2451208|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2019, as part of the rebuilding and expansion of the adjacent Union Station, large glass canopies were installed in the "moat" that connects the subway station to the rest of the Union station complex. This weather-protected route connecting to the main concourses at Union Station ensures that commuters do not need to go outside when entering or leaving the TTC station.<ref name=":0" />

==Station decor== When the station opened in 1954, the wall coverings were glossy yellow Vitrolite tiles with red lettering and trim, and the station name on the walls was in the TTC's unique Toronto Subway Font. During renovations in the 1980s, the yellow Vitrolite tiles were replaced with brown ceramic tiles and vinyl siding, and the station font was changed to Univers.

The 2011 to 2015 station expansion replaced these tiles and panels with white tiles and black trim, and the font used to render the station name was returned to its original Toronto Subway typeface.<ref name=TT-Union/>

As part of the second platform project, a glass wall was built to block off the southern side of the old platform, since it now only serves the University line. It features the art piece "Zones of Immersion" by Stuart Reid, a professor at the OCAD University<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nickwestoll.wordpress.com/2014/08/17/ttc-opens-union-subway-station-second-platform/ |title=TTC opens Union Subway Station second platform |author=Nick Westoll |date=August 17, 2014 |quote=The TTC will also be installing a 500-foot glass art wall to block off the southern side of the University line platform. Stuart Reid won an international public art competition for his piece, "Zones of Immersion," in 2012. |access-date=August 18, 2014 |archive-date=August 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090819/http://nickwestoll.wordpress.com/2014/08/17/ttc-opens-union-subway-station-second-platform/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=TorStar2015-03-31>{{cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/03/31/union-station-artwork-an-exercise-in-artistic-transparency-hume.html/ |title=Union Station artwork an exercise in artistic transparency |author=Christopher Hume |date=March 31, 2015 |publisher=The Toronto Star |access-date=May 13, 2015 |archive-date=June 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601233355/http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/03/31/union-station-artwork-an-exercise-in-artistic-transparency-hume.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The work comprises 166 large glass panels, each measuring more than one by two metres, extending {{convert|170|m|ft|adj=on}} along the length of the platform. Mostly transparent, it is visible from both the Yonge and University platforms. Each panel contains images or words, many based on sketches that Reid drew while riding the subway. Public reaction towards the art piece has been mixed, with some users of the station finding it "tragic" or "dark and depressing".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.toronto.com/news-story/5708172--bloody-gorgeous-art-unveiling-wraps-up-union-station-platform-renovations/ |title='Bloody gorgeous' art unveiling wraps up Union Station platform renovations |last=Gupta |first=Rahul |date=July 3, 2015 |website=Toronto.com |access-date=March 19, 2019 |archive-date=August 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808101622/https://www.toronto.com/news-story/5708172--bloody-gorgeous-art-unveiling-wraps-up-union-station-platform-renovations/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/05/07/is-the-new-public-art-at-union-station-depressing.html |title=Is the new public art at Union Station depressing? |work=Toronto Star |date=May 7, 2015 |access-date=March 19, 2019 |archive-date=January 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129223609/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/05/07/is-the-new-public-art-at-union-station-depressing.html |url-status=live }}</ref> {{multiple image | align = none | direction = horizontal | total_width = 750 | image1 = Union TTC platform 2009.JPG | caption1 = Station platform in 2009 with white and brown ceramic wall tiles from the 1980s | image2 = Union (TTC) - Artwork - Zones of Immersion - 2 women on a train.JPG | caption2 = Panel from ''Zones of Immersion'' by Stuart Reid opposite the new platform after the 2015 station expansion | image3 = Union (TTC) - active ATC signal and decommissioned interlocking signal.jpg | caption3 = Signal at east end of University line platform }}

==Subway infrastructure in the vicinity== The station lies on an east–west axis along Front Street. It is one of three stations on Line 1 with an east–west orientation, the others being {{stl|TTC|St. George}} and {{stl|TTC|Downsview Park}}. Leaving the station eastbound, the Yonge leg of the line runs briefly under Front Street and turns 90 degrees north to run under Yonge Street; leaving westbound, the University leg also runs under Front Street, and shortly after turns 90 degrees north to run under University Avenue.

===Entrances=== North side entrances: *Street-level stairs on north side of Front Street *Underground connection from Royal Bank Plaza *Underground connection from Brookfield Place South side entrances: *2 street-level staircases on south side of Front Street *Connections via the "moat" to the Union railway station<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=July 7, 2019|title=New Union Station glass 'moat' opens as transit hub shifts construction to lower level|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/07/07/new-union-station-glass-moat-opens-as-transit-hub-shifts-construction-to-lower-level.html|access-date=August 30, 2020|website=Toronto Star|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107233805/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/07/07/new-union-station-glass-moat-opens-as-transit-hub-shifts-construction-to-lower-level.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Streetcar loop== thumb|A Flexity streetcar behind a CLRV in the Union station loop thumb|510 Spadina streetcar at Union streetcar platform Union Station Loop is located underground at the north end of a {{convert|500|m|abbr=on|adj=on}} tunnel running under Bay Street through the underground Queens Quay station from the street Queens Quay. The loop runs anticlockwise on a single track along a curved platform. An underground passage connects the streetcar platform to the Yonge subway platform. Union Station Loop is the eastern terminus of the 509 Harbourfront and southern terminus of the 510 Spadina streetcar route.<ref name=TTC-2017-11-13 /><ref name="TTC_Union_desc">{{cite web |url=https://www.ttc.ca/subway-stations/union-station |title=Union Station |publisher=Toronto Transit Commission |accessdate=January 20, 2022 |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121012128/https://www.ttc.ca/subway-stations/union-station |url-status=live }}</ref> The loop has a minimum radius of curvature of {{convert|14.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name="TRB-2016-01-12">{{cite web |url=https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/TRB_TTC_LFLRVProcurement_2015Janurary12p.pdf |title=Transportation Research Board |publisher=Transportation Research Board |first=Stephen |last=Lam |page=9 |date=January 12, 2016 |access-date=November 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111043912/https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/TRB_TTC_LFLRVProcurement_2015Janurary12p.pdf | archive-date=November 11, 2018}}</ref>

A 2017 TTC report stated that the streetcar loop would become inadequate for the volume of customers it handled because of its single track and its curved, narrow platform. The loop would not be able to handle the peak demand of 3700 people per hour projected for 2041. A 2010 environmental assessment for the East Bayfront LRT (a proposed streetcar line) approved rebuilding the existing streetcar loop plus the construction of a connection from the streetcar tunnel to the East Bayfront LRT on Queens Quay East. The LRT design would have rebuilt the loop to have four platforms, each with a bypass track, so that a streetcar could bypass other streetcars loading or unloading. Expansion of the loop's capacity would be needed in order to support an East Bayfront LRT. In 2017, conversion of the tunnel under Bay Street to operate a funicular shuttle to Queens Quay station instead of streetcars was considered but ultimately rejected.<ref name="TTC-2017-11-13">{{cite web |url=http://ttc.ca/About_the_TTC/Commission_reports_and_information/Commission_meetings/2017/November_13/Reports/20_Waterfront_Transit_Update.pdf |title=Waterfront Transit Update |publisher=Toronto Transit Commission |date=November 13, 2017 |access-date=November 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114093104/http://ttc.ca/About_the_TTC/Commission_reports_and_information/Commission_meetings/2017/November_13/Reports/20_Waterfront_Transit_Update.pdf | archive-date=November 14, 2017}}</ref>{{rp|8–9}} {{as of|2021}}, the conversion of the streetcar loop into a four-platform configuration is in the design stage.<ref name="TO-2021-02-17">{{cite web |url=https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/8b84-Waterfront-East-LRT-Extension-Winter-2021-Community-Consultation-FINAL-compressed.pdf |title=Waterfront East LRT Extension{{Snd}}Transit Network Update |publisher=City of Toronto |date=February 17, 2021 |access-date=February 19, 2021 |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204213108/https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/8b84-Waterfront-East-LRT-Extension-Winter-2021-Community-Consultation-FINAL-compressed.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Nearby landmarks== Nearby landmarks include the Union Station railway station, the Royal York Hotel, Scotiabank Arena, CIBC Square, the Rogers Centre stadium, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the CN Tower, Royal Bank Plaza, Brookfield Place, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and the Meridian Hall.

==Surface connections== {{Main|List of Toronto Transit Commission bus routes}} A direct connection between the subway and streetcars within the fare-paid zone is provided for these routes: {| class="wikitable" ! Route ! Name ! Additional information |- ! 509 | Harbourfront | Westbound to Exhibition Loop |- ! 510 | Spadina | Northbound to Spadina station via Harbourfront |- ! 310 | Spadina Blue Night | Northbound to Spadina station via Harbourfront |}

Access to these routes is also available while the subway is not running, as the station is open overnight.

A transfer is required to connect between the subway or streetcars and these bus routes at curbside stops: {| class="wikitable" ! Route ! Name ! Additional information |- ! 19 | Bay | Northbound to Dupont Street and southbound to Queens Quay and Sherbourne Street |- ! 72B | Pape | Northbound to Pape station via Queens Quay and Commissioners Street |- ! 97C | Yonge | Northbound to Eglinton station {{small|(Rush hour service)}} |- ! 114 | Queens Quay East | Eastbound to Carlaw Avenue via Ookwemin Minising |- ! 121 | Esplanade–River | Eastbound to Bridgepoint Active Healthcare |- ! 202 |Cherry Beach |Eastbound to Cherry Beach {{small|(Seasonal service)}} |- ! 320 | Yonge Blue Night | Northbound to Steeles Avenue East and southbound to Queens Quay |}

==References== {{Reflist|refs= <ref name=TT-Union>{{cite news |url=https://transittoronto.ca/subway/stations/001-yonge-university-spadina-subway/union-2.shtml |title=Union |publisher=Transit Toronto |author=James Bow |access-date=May 15, 2015 |archive-date=December 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209104501/https://transittoronto.ca/subway/stations/001-yonge-university-spadina-subway/union-2.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> }}

==External links== * {{Commons category-inline}} *{{TTC station page}} * [http://stuartreid.ca/union-station/index.html Stuart Reid – "Zones of Immersion" union station toronto,[''sic''<nowiki>]</nowiki> anticipated completion 2014]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090022/http://stuartreid.ca/union-station/index.html |date=August 19, 2014 }} * [https://transittoronto.ca/subway/stations/001-yonge-university-spadina-subway/union-2.shtml History of Union station] at [http://transittoronto.ca/index.shtml Transit Toronto]

Category:Line 1 Yonge–University stations Category:Toronto streetcar loops Category:Path (Toronto) Category:Railway stations in Canada opened in 1954 Category:1954 establishments in Ontario Category:Railway stations located underground in Canada