Ontario: New Union Station Bus Terminal to Officially Open

Ontario: New Union Station Bus Terminal to Officially Open

Larger Terminal Offers Greater Safety, Comfort and Better Transit Connections

The Voice of Canada News:

The Ontario government is enhancing passenger safety and customer experience with the official opening of the new Union Station GO Bus Terminal. Beginning tomorrow transit riders will have full access to the new two-level, indoor terminal located on the north-east corner of Bay Street and Lake Shore Boulevard. It will provide riders travelling in and out of the Greater Toronto Area with more direct connections to GO trains, the TTC, VIA Rail and UP Express.

“Our government is building accessible, modern transit infrastructure, and making public transit a safe and attractive option,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “The opening of the new Union Station Bus Terminal demonstrates our government’s promise to bring a better travel experience to the everyday lives of Ontarians.”

The new terminal provides a larger indoor, climate-controlled space of more than 23,000 square feet. This will enable customers to comfortably and safely wait for their bus and board without leaving the building, and access to convenient amenities such as charging ports and free Wi-Fi. For enhanced safety, gates to platforms will remain closed until buses are ready to board or de-board, making it easy for customers to stay safely away from moving vehicles.

“This milestone is part of our government’s broader vision to deliver better, safer and more reliable travel options for the people of Ontario,” said Kinga Surma, Associate Minister of Transportation (GTA). “By making significant investments and building historic transit projects now, we are ensuring that future generations have access to a world class public transit system.”

A new indoor glass pedestrian bridge built above Bay Street connects the terminal to Scotiabank Arena, the PATH and Union Station, allowing customers to easily transfer between buses and trains and get to other downtown attractions.

“The Union Station Bus Terminal is an integral part of our GO bus network and an important step forward in the overall enhancement of Union Station,” said Phil Verster, Metrolinx President and CEO. “The larger and more comfortable space will offer an even better experience for customers who are catching a bus at the terminal or connecting to the other parts of the city or the region. We can’t wait to welcome our customers into the new home of the GO bus.”

“This bus terminal provides a harmonious connection between work and home for all CIBC SQUARE building occupants, eliminating stress from the workday commute,” said David Hoffman, General Manager, CIBC SQUARE.

QUICK FACTS

The new Union Station Bus Terminal was built in partnership with Metrolinx, Ivanhoé Cambridge and Hines, and is part of the larger connected CIBC SQUARE development that includes two innovative office towers at 81 and 141 Bay Street.
Improved amenities at the new Union Station Bus Terminal include: over 200 indoor seats for customers, 270 bike parking spaces, charging ports and Wi-Fi.
The terminal will improve customer access to buses; like an airport, there will be specific zone areas for customers to board the bus platform.
Digital screens and public announcements will guide customers to the appropriate zone and gate prior to boarding the bus.
Enhanced accessibility at the terminal includes trip information presented at eye-level, vertical bars instead of traditional buttons to open power doors and enhanced washroom accessibility.