Elevator construction delays at Exhibition GO station causing rough travel for wheelchair user

Elevators connecting the platforms at Exhibition Station have been out of service for months, making travel very inconvenient for those who rely on them.

One man who uses a wheelchair reached out to CityNews to share about the negative impact this is having on his life.

James Christie is a Toronto FC superfan and season ticket holder. “I get involved in culture, sport … I get involved in the vibes of Toronto.”

He also been in a wheelchair for most of his life and this year, getting home from BMO field has been a struggle.

The elevators on the northside of the tracks have been undergoing upgrades since late fall as the station is being revamped for the Ontario Line.

Leaving many like Christie to rely on a shuttle bus as a connector to the north platform.

Christie tells CityNews not only is it a 15-minute drive around, but you need to book the shuttle 48 hours in advance, and it only runs until 11 p.m.

He also said the booking system is complicated and the shuttle is often unreliable .

“When you call the mainline for Go Transit, you just get a number of prompts or a recording … I’ve been placed on hold six to seven times this season,” explained Christie. “And the GO reps tell me they will call back to confirm the ride and they never do.”

According to the Metrolinx website, these elevators should have been back up and running this spring, but the latest signage now says early summer.

Christie said he’s been patient long enough, especially after last Saturday when the shuttle bus was an hour late.

“I want to say to them, this is a really inconvenient thing. It doesn’t just bother me but also people with strollers and infants,” shared Christie. “I think they need a better understanding of what they are doing to my psyche.”

Metrolinx said the elevators are expected to open in the coming weeks, but did not give an exact date. They said during major sports and cultural events, there are shuttles and staff available to help direct customers.

“Ensuring that all our customers have access to travel comfortably and safely is very important to us. We’re committed to making our services as easy to use as possible for everyone,” continued their statements. “We aim to get the elevators safely back up and running as soon as possible and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.”

Christie is hoping these elevators will be working by the time Shania Twain rolls into Toronto in a couple of weeks. If not, he’ll be forced to leave the concert at least an hour early to ensure he makes the final shuttle bus home.