Toronto subway facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Toronto subway
Line 5 Flexity Freedom LRT at Eglinton Station, February 8 2026.jpg A Toronto Rocket train at Union station on Line 1
Info
Owner	Toronto Transit Commission (Lines 1, 2 and 4) Metrolinx (Lines 5 and 6)
Locale	Toronto, Ontario Vaughan, Ontario
Transit type	Rapid transit
Number of lines	5 (plus 1 under construction)
Number of stations	109 (plus 26 under construction)
Daily ridership	880,200 (weekdays, Q1 2023)
Operation
Began operation	March 30, 1954; 72 years ago (1954-03-30)
Operator(s)	Toronto Transit Commission
Number of vehicles	830 heavy rail cars 66 work cars
Train length	6 cars (Lines 1 and 2) 4 cars (Line 4) 2 cars (Line 5) 1 car (Line 6)
Headway	2 min 30 s – 5 min (Line 1) 2 min 20 s – 6 min (Line 2) 5 min 30 s (Line 4) 4 min 4 s – 12 min 40 s (Line 5) 6 min 32 s – 12 min 15 s (Line 6)
Technical
System length	100.1 km (62.2 mi) (33.2 km (20.6 mi) under construction)
Track gauge	1,495 mm (4 ft 10 7⁄8 in) Toronto gauge (Lines 1, 2 and 4) 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge (Lines 5 and 6)
Electrification	Third rail, 600 V DC (Lines 1, 2 and 4) 750 V DC (Lines 5 and 6)
Route map Show interactive map Show static map Show route diagram

The Toronto subway is a fast train system that helps people travel around Toronto and the nearby city of Vaughan in Ontario, Canada. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) runs most of these trains, while Metrolinx operates Lines 5 and 6.

The system has five main lines: Line 1 Yonge–University, Line 2 Bloor–Danforth, Line 4 Sheppard, Line 5 Eglinton, and Line 6 Finch West.

Canada's very first underground train line opened in 1954 in Toronto. It was called the "Yonge subway" and is now part of Line 1. It ran under Yonge Street with 12 stations. Today, the subway system has 109 stations and covers about 99.4 kilometers (61.8 miles). It is the busiest train system in Canada, with millions of rides each year. Currently, 26 new stations are being built for a new line (the Ontario Line) and to extend three other lines.

Exploring the Subway Lines

The Toronto subway lines have both a number and a name. Each line also has a special color to help you find it on maps and signs.

There are five train lines running in Toronto:

• Line 1 Yonge–University
• Line 2 Bloor–Danforth
• Line 4 Sheppard
• Line 5 Eglinton
• Line 6 Finch West

One more line is currently being built:

• Ontario Line

Line 1 Yonge–University: The Longest Ride

Excavation on Front Street for the Yonge subway, 1950. The line opened in 1954.

Line 1 Yonge–University is the longest and busiest line. It started as the Yonge subway in 1954, covering 7.4 kilometers (4.6 miles). Now, it's 38.8 kilometers (24.1 miles) long. This line is shaped like a "U," connecting Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and Finch in the north to Union station downtown. An extension of Line 1 northwards to Richmond Hill is being planned, with five new stations expected to open in the 2030s.

Line 2 Bloor–Danforth: East to West

Line 2 Bloor–Danforth opened in 1966. It runs east to west under Bloor Street and Danforth Avenue. It connects Kipling station in Etobicoke to Kennedy station in Scarborough. Work started in 2021 to extend Line 2 further northeast, with new stops planned for the 2030s.

Line 3 Scarborough: A Former Line

An S-series train leaving Kennedy station on Line 3 Scarborough in 2013. The S series was used exclusively on Line 3. The train was photographed in its original livery that was used between 1985 and 2015.

Line 3 Scarborough was a special elevated train line that ran from 1985 to 2023. It connected Kennedy station to McCowan. This line used a unique technology called ICTS. In July 2023, a train on Line 3 went off its tracks. No one was seriously hurt, but the line was closed permanently for safety reasons. Buses now run instead, until Line 2 is extended into Scarborough.

Line 4 Sheppard: The Shortest Line

Don Mills station serves as the terminus for Line 4 Sheppard, a subway line that opened in 2002.

Line 4 Sheppard opened in 2002. It runs under Sheppard Avenue East from Sheppard–Yonge station to Don Mills station. At 5.5 kilometers (3.4 miles), it is the shortest subway line in Toronto. It is also the only line that is completely underground. There are plans to extend Line 4 further east in the future.

Line 5 Eglinton: A New Light Rail Line

Pieces of a tunnel boring machine extracted during the construction of Line 5 Eglinton, 2017

Line 5 Eglinton is a 19-kilometer (11.8-mile) light rail line along Eglinton Avenue. It connects Kennedy station in the east to Mount Dennis station in the west. The line has 25 stops, with 15 underground stations and 10 stops at street level. Construction started in 2011, and the line opened on February 8, 2026. An extension of Line 5 westwards to Renforth station is also being built, with completion expected in the 2030s.

Line 6 Finch West: Another Light Rail Line

Humber College station, the western terminus of Line 6 Finch West

Line 6 Finch West opened on December 7, 2025. It runs for 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) along Finch Avenue from Finch West station on Line 1 to Humber College station. This was the first light rail line to open as part of the rapid transit system.

Ontario Line: The Future of Downtown Travel

The Ontario Line is a new 15.6-kilometer (9.7-mile) underground subway line being built. It will connect Exhibition station to Don Valley station. This line will make it easier to travel east to west through downtown Toronto. It is expected to open in 2031.

Subway History in Brief

Key Dates and Events

Major Incidents and Safety Improvements

Over the years, the subway system has faced some challenges. In 1963, an electrical problem in a train caused a fire, damaging several cars and parts of the tunnel. This led to new safety rules for electrical issues. In 1976, a fire started on purpose damaged four subway cars and Christie station.

In 1995, a serious train accident happened on Line 1. This sad event led to major changes at the TTC, focusing much more on safety and keeping everything in good working order. In July 2023, a train on Line 3 went off its tracks. No one was seriously hurt, but the line was closed permanently for safety reasons. These events have always led to improvements in how the subway operates to keep everyone safe.

How the Subway Works

Train Operations

Subway doors on Line 2 are operated by a train guard, situated in the trailing operator cab.

Some subway lines use two people to operate the train: a driver and a guard. The driver steers the train, while the guard helps open and close the doors safely. They use special markers on the platform walls to make sure the train stops in the right spot.

Other lines use one-person train operation (OPTO), where the driver does both jobs. Line 4 Sheppard switched to OPTO in 2016. Line 1 also fully adopted OPTO in November 2022. Lines 5 and 6 have used OPTO since they opened.

Station Announcements

The Toronto Rocket uses multi-coloured LED signs to provide visible stop announcements and display visual arrows pointing to the side where the doors will open on at the next stop (except at terminus stations).

All TTC trains use an automated system to announce each station. This helps everyone know where they are, especially people who can't see well. The announcements are played twice: when the train leaves a station and when it arrives at the next one. Trains on most lines also show visible announcements and tell you which side the doors will open. Lines 5 and 6 use both English and French announcements.

Winter Operations

In winter, heavy snow or freezing rain can affect the subway. The TTC runs "storm trains" overnight to clear ice from the power rails. They also use anti-freeze on the rails. These steps help keep the trains running smoothly even in bad weather.

Subway Stations

Many underground stations feature termini for bus and streetcar services, such as this one at Main Street station.

The Toronto subway has 109 stations and stops. Many stations are named after nearby main roads or important landmarks. For example, stations on the University Avenue part of Line 1 are named after places like Museum and Queen's Park. Trains usually stop at every station along their route. Many stations also connect to local TTC bus or streetcar routes.

Payment for Your Ride

To pay for your ride, you can tap your Presto, debit, or credit card on a Presto card reader. You can also use your mobile phone. You get a free transfer for two hours to other TTC buses or streetcars. On Lines 5 and 6, you tap your card on readers at the platform before you get on the train.

Accessibility for Everyone

Elevators at the subway platform of Vaughan Metropolitan Centre station

Most of the subway system was built before elevators were required at every station. However, all stations built since 1996 have elevators. As of December 2025, 86 percent of the stations have been updated with elevators, wider gates, and access doors. The TTC plans to make all stations accessible by 2026. All TTC trains have special areas for wheelchairs and priority seating.

Keeping Stations Clean

The subway system works hard to keep stations clean. They have special cleaning plans and extra staff to make sure everything is tidy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they made cleaning even stricter to keep everyone healthy.

Art and Design in Stations

Stained glass artwork Sky Ellipse at Highway 407 station

Toronto's subway system has more than 40 pieces of public art in its stations. As new stations were built and old ones were updated, more art was added. For example, Line 4 Sheppard is known for its beautiful art, with each station having unique designs that show themes of community and history.

Staying Connected: Internet and Phone Access

In 2012, a company called BAI Communications Canada started building a cellular and Wi-Fi system for the subway. By August 2017, Wi-Fi was available at all existing stations. In 2023, Rogers Communications took over and expanded 5G wireless service. Now, customers from Rogers, Freedom Mobile, Telus, and Bell can use their phones in all underground stations.

Subway Trains (Rolling Stock)

Heavy Rail Trains

The Toronto Rocket is the newest heavy rail subway train used by the TTC.

Line 1 Yonge–University and Line 4 Sheppard use the newest subway cars, called the Toronto Rocket. Line 2 Bloor–Danforth uses the older T1 subway trains. These trains are very strong and designed for heavy use. New trains are being ordered to replace the T1 trains on Line 2 and for future line extensions.

Driverless Trains

The new Ontario Line will use smaller, driverless trains. These trains will use special technology to run automatically and stop precisely at stations. This will allow trains to run more often. Stations on the Ontario Line will also have platform-edge doors for safety.

Light Rail Vehicles

Citadis Spirit LRV at Martin Grove stop on Line 6 Finch West

Line 5 Eglinton uses Flexity Freedom light rail vehicles (LRVs). Line 6 Finch West uses Citadis Spirit vehicles. These trains are designed to run on both underground and street-level tracks.

Subway Technology

The heavy rail lines (Lines 1, 2, and 4) are completely separate from roads and people. Their stations have covered platforms, and you board trains from high platforms.

The light rail lines (Lines 5 and 6) have parts that run on the street. Their tracks are in special lanes in the middle of the road, and they cross streets at ground level. These stations have simpler, low-level platforms.

Signals and Control

An interlocking signal used along Lines 2 and 4 and formerly along Line 1

Older subway lines used a system called fixed-block signalling to prevent trains from crashing. Today, Lines 2 and 4 still use this. However, Line 1 Yonge–University now uses a more advanced system called Automatic Train Control (ATC). ATC helps trains run closer together, reduces delays, and saves electricity. The TTC plans to upgrade Line 2 to ATC by 2030.

The future Ontario Line will use ATC with driverless trains and will have platform screen doors for added safety.

Subway Tracks

Southbound train in the median of Allen Road towards Eglinton West station in 2010. Subway tracks in Toronto were built to 4 ft 10 ⁷⁄₈ in (1,495 mm), the same gauge used by the TTC's streetcar system.

Lines 1, 2, and 4 use a special track width called Toronto gauge. This is the same width as the Toronto streetcar system. This was done so that subway parts could be maintained at the same facilities as streetcars in the past.

Lines 5 and 6, the light rail lines, use a standard track width. This helps them be similar to other new transit projects in Ontario. The new Ontario Line will also use standard gauge tracks.

Subway Yards and Facilities

The subway system has several yards where trains are stored, maintained, and cleaned. All these yards are above ground, except for a part of the Keele Yard.

Facilities	Opened	Lines served	Remarks
Davisville Yard	1954
Eglinton MSF	2026
Finch MSF	2025
Greenwood Yard	1966
Keele Yard	1966–1978; 2017		Closed in 1978; reopened June 18, 2017
McCowan Yard	1985–2023		Line decommissioned
Wilson Yard	1977

Keeping Safe on the Subway

Designated waiting area at High Park station with a passenger intercom if TTC staff or security needs to be contacted

The subway has many safety features for passengers:

• Emergency alarms: These yellow strips are on all subway trains. If you press one, an alarm sounds, and the train crew and control center are notified. An orange light outside the train shows where the problem is.
• Emergency power cut devices: Marked by a blue light at each end of subway platforms. Use these to turn off the electricity to the tracks if someone falls or if there's danger.
• Emergency stopping mechanisms: On Line 2 trains, these activate emergency brakes. Use them only in very serious situations, like if someone is caught in a door or if the train derails.
• Passenger intercoms: Found on platforms and near elevators. Use these to talk to station staff if you need help or see a problem.
• AEDs: These devices are in some stations near the ticket booths. They can help someone having a heart problem.
• Public telephones: Available in all stations and at Designated Waiting Areas. You can call 911 for free. Phones at Designated Waiting Areas also have a "Crisis Link" button for mental health support.

If you fall onto the tracks, the TTC suggests you use the crawl space under the platform edge to stay safe from oncoming trains. Do not lie flat between the rails because there isn't enough space. Always wait behind the yellow strip on the platform edge.

Platform screen doors are glass walls with doors that open only when a train is perfectly stopped. They make platforms safer by preventing people from falling onto the tracks. The future Ontario Line will have these doors.

On Line 5 Eglinton, a special system called GIDS (guideway intrusion detection system) uses sensors to detect if someone is on the tracks in underground sections. If it detects someone, it gives a warning and can stop the train automatically.

Paramedics are sometimes at busy stations during peak hours to help if someone needs medical attention.

Training Subway Operators

Subway operators learn their job using a special virtual reality simulator. This simulator looks and feels like a real subway car, helping them practice driving and handling different situations in a safe environment.

Future Plans for the Subway

Future Toronto subway system map after lines under construction in 2026 are completed circa 2035

The subway system is always growing! Here are some of the exciting plans for the future:

Provincially Supported Projects

• Ontario Line: This new subway line is already being built and will open in 2031.
• Line 5 West Extension: There are plans to extend Line 5 Eglinton further west to Pearson Airport.
• Yonge North Subway Extension: This project will extend Line 1 Yonge–University north into Richmond Hill, adding five new stations by the 2030s.
• Scarborough Subway Extension: This project will extend Line 2 Bloor–Danforth further east into Scarborough, replacing the former Line 3. It will add three new stations and is expected to open between 2029 and 2030.
• Line 4 Eastward Extension: There are plans to extend Line 4 Sheppard east to McCowan Road.

Other Ideas for the Future

• Eglinton East LRT: This is a proposal for a new light rail line that would run east from Kennedy station to Malvern.
• Jane LRT: This proposed light rail line would connect Jane station on Line 2 north to Pioneer Village station on Line 1.
• Line 6 West Extension: There are ideas to extend Line 6 Finch West further west to Pearson Airport.

Past Plans That Changed

Some subway plans from the past were changed or not built. For example, the Queen subway line was first suggested in 1911, and parts of a station were even built for it under Queen station. The Eglinton West line was another subway line that started construction in the early 1990s but was later cancelled. Many of its ideas are now part of Line 5 Eglinton. The Downtown Relief Line was a proposed subway line to help ease crowding on Line 1, but it was replaced by the Ontario Line project.

See also

In Spanish: Metro de Toronto para niños