If you’re planning to use transit to get around the GTA this coming weekend, there are some service interruptions and schedule changes to know about.
TTC impacts
Following the extended closure of the intersection of King Street West and Spadina Avenue after a garbage truck downed overhead wires on Tuesday morning, TTC users should be aware of some further service changes, notably the diversion of the 504 King, 508 Lake Shore, and the 510 Spadina streetcar routes.
The TTC says commuters impacted by these diversions should use Queen or Bathurst streets to get on the streetcar, while Wheel-Trans customers can request door-to-door service.
TTC spokesperson Stuart Green said the intersection is slated to reopen on Friday night.
Temporary route changes along St. Clair Avenue will also be in place overnight from Thursday to Sunday.
The TTC says from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each day, streetcars on the 512 St. Clair route will operate between St. Clair Station and Oakwood Loop. Replacement buses will run between Vaughan Road and the Gunns Loop, via St. Clair Avenue, Weston Road, and Gunns Road.
Ten reduced speed zones along subway Lines 1 and 2 also start Thursday to accommodate track maintenance. The TTC warns the slowdowns may impact travel times.
Real-time updates can be found on the TTC service alerts page.
GO Transit impacts
GO trains running on the Lakeshore West line will operate hourly throughout the weekend to accommodate track work.
The hourly operations apply to all stops between Toronto’s Union Station and Hamilton’s West Harbour GO in both directions.
Bus connection times will also be adjusted, and Metrolinx is warning that there may be longer than usual wait times.
Specifically, GO buses on routes 12 (Niagara Falls), 15 (Brantford/Burlington) and 18 (Lakeshore West) may experience connection times ranging from eight minutes early to 49 minutes late.
Additionally, Metrolinx says the north platform at Exhibition GO will be closed for the entire weekend, and bus schedules with stops at universities and colleges will be adjusted starting from Dec. 21 until Jan. 4 due to holiday break.
Commuters are advised to keep an eye out for further schedule impacts.
More information including real-time updates can be found on GO Transit’s service updates page.