TTC investigating following ‘significant break’ in power rail on Line 1

Commuters were forced out into frigid temperatures to wait for shuttle buses after a subway service shut down on a portion of line 1 Wednesday morning. The TTC is investigating what caused the third rail power line to break.

By Patricia D'Cunha

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) says it is investigating damage to a power rail along the tracks near Yorkdale Station that led to a subway service shutdown on a portion of Line 1 on Wednesday morning.

TTC officials said they became aware of a “significant break” in the third (power) rail southbound on Line 1, south of Yorkdale Station, between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m.

“The power rail interfaces with trains via what’s called a ‘collector shoe’ on the underside of the train. The break made the area impassable for trains,” a TTC spokesperson said in a statement on X.

The TTC said crews made a temporary repair so that subway service can safely resume until a permanent fix is made overnight.

“We don’t know what caused this to happen at this time, but a full investigation of both the track infrastructure and any trains that passed through the area is underway,” the statement explains.

In this supplied photo on Jan. 22, 2025, the TTC explains that the "cables allow for the continuity of power through the repaired section of the power rail."
In this supplied photo of the ‘spliced repair’ on on Jan. 22, 2025, the TTC explains that the “cables allow for the continuity of power through the repaired section of the power rail.” (TTC/handout)

Around 6:30 a.m., the TTC said subways were not running between Sheppard West and Lawrence West stations and that shuttle buses were running. The closure was later updated from Wilson to Lawrence West stations.

TTC riders wait in the cold for shuttle buses at Lawrence West station on Jan. 22, 2025
TTC riders wait in the cold for shuttle buses at Lawrence West station on Jan. 22, 2025. (CityNews)

The TTC apologized to riders for having to wait for shuttle buses in bitterly cold temperatures.

“We know this was a frustrating experience, made worse by the weather, but the safe operation of our system is always our priority,” a TTC spokesperson said.

Subway service resumed just before noon.

The closure also led to delays of up to 10 minutes elsewhere along Line 1.

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