‘A mess to navigate,’ TTC riders are fed up with the construction at two Toronto subway stations – NOW Toronto

Torontonians are describing the construction at two city subway stations “a mess,” with many calling out the TTC for unsafe practices and improper signage. 

Earlier this week, a Redditor posted a photo of a Line 1 Vaughan subway sign at St. Patrick Station, with an arrow directing riders where to go. The issue, however, was that the arrow pointed to a dead-end wall.

PSA: St Patrick Station is currently a mess to navigate
byu/mmeeeerrkkaatt intoronto

“St. Patrick is currently covered in construction and full of dead ends with no signage to warn entire rush-hour crowds if they’re headed towards a blank wall where an entrance/exit used to be,” the Reddit user wrote. 

“Pack your patience, allow extra time, and do NOT follow the crowds with the assumption someone knows where they’re going,” they warned. 

TTC riders quickly joined the conversation, many sharing their experiences navigating the temporarily narrowed platforms and obstructed exits at St. Patrick Station and its prior stop, Queen’s Park Station. 

“[St. Patrick] station has been “under construction” for like six years, but this is the worst I’ve seen so far… Almost every exit blocked off… This has got to be a fire code violation, no?” one Reddit user commented. 

“Queens park is also ridiculous,” another user replied. 

“Omg I took the subway (non-rush hour) after a couple of years of not using it and got off this station. I was completely lost and no one to follow,” another Reddit user said in response. 

One Reddit user, who said they got off the train at Queen’s Park Station weeks ago, said they had a hard time finding an exit out of the station. They recounted having to walk the entire length of the northbound platform before crossing over to the southbound side, and from there, walking halfway on that platform before finally reaching a flight of stairs. 

“There is no signage anywhere telling you to do this. Travelling at non-rush hour, there was no crowd for me to follow, either. I had to do it by trial and error,” the user said. 

“Mark my words, if there was ever a reason to evacuate that station in a hurry, someone is going to get badly hurt,” they added. 

TTC says it has  not received any reports of, nor has observed any safety concerns within the stations. 

“If people believe there’s a safety issue, we urge them to immediately report them to a station employee or customer service,” the transit agency told Now Toronto on Wednesday. 

As for the incorrect Line 1 Vaughan sign, the TTC confirmed that the correct signage was put up as of Wednesday afternoon. 

Since fall of 2023, the TTC has been working on refreshing the appearance of Queen’s Park and St. Patrick stations as part of its renewal program. 

Along with removing asbestos, other cosmetic upgrades to the stations include wall finish panels, ceiling, lighting and newly-installed surveillance systems.  

The transit agency also said that new subway platform panels are anticipated to arrive in early 2025, and work to install them will take place throughout next year. However, the TTC could not provide an end date for the construction, and says it will continue until further notice.