September 4, 2008

In order to undertake the testing of the TTC’s new subway Speed Control System, the TTC will be closing the Sheppard Subway at 10 p.m. each night except for Friday and Saturday nights, from September 7 to September 25.  Regular subway service will occur on Friday and Saturday evenings during the 3 week period.

The Speed Control System will enforce certain speed limits for subway trains as they operate over the subway line and will ensure that trains adhere to the signal control system.

During this period, additional buses will be added to the 85 Sheppard East bus service.  Service will run every 3-5 minutes.

Customers will board the buses at street level at Bayview, Bessarion and Leslie Stations.  Transfers will be required to transfer from the buses and subway at Bayview, Bessarion, Leslie and Don Mills stations.

The Toronto Transit Commission moves 460 million people every year – about 1.5 million riders every weekday. The TTC is the third largest public transit system in North America servicing some 4.5 million people in the Greater Toronto Area, with a network of subways, streetcars, buses, and a specialized service, Wheel-Trans, for people who require accessible transportation. The TTC is committed to meeting the growing needs of the region with subway and light rail expansion, carrying an additional 175 million riders by 2021.

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Media contact: Danny Nicholson, 416-393-3741, danny.nicholson@ttc.ca