Hey guys, welcome back to the channel! Today, we will be taking a look at the most underrated,
and one of the most unique stations of the whole TTC system, Queens Quay. Follow us to
Downtown Toronto, and enjoy the tour!
If you’ve ever traveled on the 509 or 510 streetcar from or to Union station, you probably
have noticed the small station we pass by on the way to or from Union, before we exit
the tunnel. This is indeed Queens Quay station, the only underground streetcar station not
connected to a subway station in the system, and the subject of our investigation today.
This station connects the TTC system to the ferry docks here at Queens Quay, where you
can hop on a ferry over to the Toronto Island.
Here we are, at the corner of Bay street and queens quay west, where we’ll be able to
enter Queens Quay station through one of its two entrances. The busy streets are filled
with rush hour commuters, but hopefully we’ll be able to get a good look at the station
without too much interruption. Descending down the stairs and turning the corner, we
arrive at the platform of the station, where you can find two parallel set of streetcar
tracks and the narrow platforms that serve them.
You may already have noticed that we didn’t go through a concourse or any kind of fare
gates at the station, but we directly arrived at the platforms. And no, this isn’t a fare
evader’s heaven or anything, this is just a good ole streetcar station where you have
to pay onboard, as the station is not in a fare paid zone. You’ll still have to tap
on board, or use one of the fare machines at the station to pay your fare, as there
isn’t a collector’s booth here either. There are, however, upgraded accessibility
and help buttons that look really advanced and cool.
As there isn’t a concourse at the station, there is actually a quite unique way to get
to the opposite platform if you need to, and that is this walkway at one end of the platforms
across the tracks. Since the streetcars draw power from an overhead Catenary system, there
is no electrified third rail on the tracks, and people can safely walk across the tracks
without getting electrocuted. Whenever the streetcars are about to cross the walkway,
they are required to ring their gongs, so the pedestrians know to get out of the way
of the red giants. The walkway is also decorated with this compass
floor art, really reflecting the nautical vibes at the ferry docks here.
The opposite platform sports a similarly subdued set up, although this one does have an elevator
that will take one up to street level.
And now, let's head on up and take a look at the surroundings of the station. Being located
at the downest of downtown Toronto, Queens Quay is surrounded by numerous landmarks and
countless office buildings.
As mentioned before, the Jack Layton ferry terminal is right down the street from the
station, as well as the beautiful harbour square park and the Toronto harbourfront.
Enjoy a beautiful afternoon here, catch a ferry to the Island, and have fun at the waterfront,
but do be careful to not disturb the red-winged black birds here, they attack unsuspecting
pedestrians and are definitely not feathery friends, maybe feathery foes instead.
Besides this, the Westin Harbour Castle hotel and RBC Waterpark Place also surround the
station, with the latter being the container for the PATH walkway that will take you to
Union station in an indoor setting. There is, of course, also the infamous streetcar
entry to the tunnel and station that has been invaded numerous times by ingenious drivers
trying to take a shortcut to Union station and causing massive delays to the system. Smart one, buddy.
And finally, enjoy this beautiful art named “Milky Way Smiling” by Elizabeth Zvonar
looking over the station. This is truly a beautiful location to be if you want to enjoy
all the green scenery and cityscape that downtown Toronto has to offer.
Alright guys, that’s it for our short tour of Queens Quay station, a unique station situated
in the heart of Toronto that most probably haven’t been to, but should, if not only
to walk across the tracks and take a photo for instagram. Like, subscribe, follow us
on Twitter and Instagram, and support us on Patreon if you want to help us keep bringing
you guys awesome content. Thanks for watching guys, and we’ll see you in the next one!