Dec 20, 2010

Glencairn Subway


Glencairn Subway
Glencairn Subway station is on the Yonge – University-Spadina line of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).  It was opened to the public in January 1978 and serves only 5,000 people a day, making it one of the least used stations of the system.  

Glencairn station is situated in a low density zone, mostly residential houses and few apartments.   It overpasses Allen Road at Glen Park Avenue.   
Solar panels on roof of Glencairn
One of the features that make Glencairn station so unique is the solar powered panels located on the roof at a cost of about $ 15,000 for two of them.  This is a pilot project that started back in April 2010.  The solar panels have to be flexible to conform to the roofing design, and apparently they’re not quite as efficient as the flat panels but at least they ward off vandals.  These panels will also be equipped in 52 bus shelters as well as about 5 stations are being fitted with screens to let riders know when to expect the next train/bus/streetcar.  Most shelters around the world contain some solar component, so it’s really nothing new, but at least it’s a step in the right direction.

Eglinton West Subway


Eglinton West Subway station is on the Yonge – University-Spadina line of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).  It was opened to the public in 1978 and serves about 20,000 people a day.  It is situated in the neighbourhood of Little Jamaica.
 
Back in the mid 90’s Eglinton West subway station was to become an interchange station but due to the Harris government, the Eglinton subway project was put to a halt and the partial tunnel was refilled.  Up until recently the idea of Eglinton west becoming a interchange had been re-addressed once again in the Eglinton Crosstown LRT (Light rail line) proposal.  This too has been put on hold by the new mayor elect Rob Ford.  (see LRT lines) on my blog for more details.