Bay (TTC) - History - Public Access

Public Access

• Lower Bay sign, 2007

• Lower Bay sign, painted over, 2007

The station itself is not open to public access. During structural repairs to the tunnel roof between Bay and St. George stations, trains were bypassed to Museum station via the interlining tracks on Saturdays and Sundays from February 24 to March 11, 2007. As a result, riders could see Lower Bay through the train windows as they rode between Bloor-Yonge and Museum stations. During the May 2010 Victoria Day long weekend, the station was again used to facilitate track repairs, and once again the public got a rare opportunity to ride through the station.

The TTC announced on May 9, 2011, that due to track switch replacement on the Bloor-Danforth line between St. George and Bloor-Yonge stations, a similar subway diversion procedure will be implmented, all eastbound and westbound trains on the Bloor-Danforth will turn back at Museum Station during the weekend of May 14-15 2011. Therefore passengers will once again get a rare glimpse of Lower Bay subway station, passengers must exit the train at Museum Station, cross the centre platform and board the northbound, eastbound or westbound train to continue their subway trip. University-Spadina subway passengers travelling eastbound on the Bloor-Danforth line must change trains at Museum Station. During the subway diversion, at St George station, the lower level, will be closed. All trains will serve the upper level. Bay station will closed. Regular Bloor-Danforth subway service will resume on May 16, 2011.

The TTC opened Lower Bay to the public for Doors Open Toronto on May 26, 2007. According to TTC Chair Adam Giambrone's introduction leaflet, this event was the first time since 1966 that the station's platform was open to the public. There were large line-ups, as a limited number of people were allowed on the platform at any one time. Two trains were parked on the tracks, a video screen displayed movies or commercials shot in Bay Lower, and movie posters were hung around the platform. The station was opened again for the event on May 24, 2008, September 29, 2010, and was open to the public as part of a Nuit Blanche event which took place on October 2, 2010.

2007 Doors Open images

• Line-up outside the Cumberland Terrace building.

• Front of the line, on the collector's level.

• Sign on Upper Bay platform directing towards Lower Bay lineup.

• Looking westward from the Bay St. entrance.

• Looking westward at the west end of the platform.

• Derelict escalator in the Cumberland exit stairwell on the platform's west end.

• Platform near the Bay St. entrance, with faded tile signage.

• TTC leaflet.