View source for Union Station (Toronto)

{{Short description|Railway station in Toronto, Ontario, Canada}}
{{About|the railway station|the adjacent subway station of the same name|Union station (TTC)|the adjacent bus station|Union Station Bus Terminal}}
{{Redirect|Toronto Union Station}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox station
| name = Union Station
| type = 
| style = Metrolinx
| style2 = Harmonized
| image = Union Station, Toronto (30427373561).jpg
| image_caption = Eastward view along the Front Street facade
| address = 65 Front Street West<br />[[Toronto]], Ontario
| country = Canada
| website = {{URL|torontounion.ca}}
| coordinates = {{Coord|43|38|40|N|79|22|49|W|region:CA-ON_type:railwaystation|display=inline,title}}
| line = [[Union Station Rail Corridor]]
| connections = {{plainlist|
* {{rint|toronto|subway|1}} [[Union station (TTC)|Union subway station]]
* {{rint|gotransit|bus}} [[Union Station Bus Terminal]]
* {{rint|toronto|bus}} [[List of Toronto Transit Commission bus routes|TTC bus routes]]
* {{rint|toronto|streetcar}} [[Toronto streetcar system|TTC streetcars]]
}}
| structure = Elevated
| platform = 1 [[side platform]], 11 [[island platform]]s
| tracks = 16
| parking = No
| bicycle = 115 space [[bicycle parking station|parking station]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/cycling-in-toronto/bicycle-parking/bicycle-parking-stations/ |title=Bicycle Parking Stations |date=October 12, 2017 |website=City of Toronto}}</ref>
| pass_percent = 
| pass_system = 
| opened = {{Start date and age|1927|8|6}}
| rebuilt = 1970s, 2009–2021
| accessible = Yes
| architect = [[Ross and Macdonald]]
| architectural_style = [[Beaux-Arts style|Beaux-Arts]]
| status = Staffed station
| code = {{Unbulleted list
 | {{GO Transit code|UN}}
 | {{Via Rail code|TRTO}}
 | {{Amtrak code|TWO}}
 }}
| iata = YBZ
| owned = {{plainlist|
* [[Toronto|City of Toronto]] (station building)
* [[Metrolinx]] (trainshed and tracks)
}}
| operator = {{plainlist|
* [[Union Station Rail Corridor|Toronto Terminals Railway]]
* ([[Canadian National Railway]] 50% / [[Canadian Pacific Kansas City]] 50%)
}}
| zone = 02
| former = 
| mpassengers = {{rail pass box|system=Via|passengers=2.91{{nbsp}}million|pass_year=2012|pass_percent=0.5}}
{{rail pass box|system=GO Transit|passengers=69.5{{nbsp}}million|pass_year=2015|pass_percent=1.9}}
| services = {{Adjacent stations|system1=Via Rail
|line1=Canadian|left1=Washago
|line2=Sarnia-Toronto|left2=Malton
|line3=Windsor-Toronto|left3=Oakville
|line4=Toronto-New York|left4=Oakville|type4=Reversed
|line5=Aldershot-Montreal|right5=Guildwood
|line6=Toronto-Ottawa|right6=Guildwood
|system7=GO Transit
|line8=Barrie|left8=Downsview Park
|line9=Kitchener|left9=Bloor
|line10=Kitchener|left10=Bramalea|type10=Express
|line11=Milton|left11=Kipling
|line12=Lakeshore West|left12=Exhibition
|line13=Lakeshore West|left13=Clarkson|type13=Express
|line14=Lakeshore West|left14=Exhibition|type14=Niagara branch
|line15=Lakeshore East|right15=Danforth
|line16=Lakeshore East|right16=Pickering|type16=Express
|line17=Stouffville|right17=Kennedy
|line18=Richmond Hill|right18=Oriole
|system19=Metrolinx
|line19=UPE|left19=Bloor
}}
| other_services_header = Former services
| other_services_collapsible = yes
| other_services = {{Adjacent stations|system1=Amtrak
|line1=International|left1=Malton|right1=|note-left1=(1990–2004)
|line2=International|left2=Oakville|right2=|note-left2=(1982–1990)
|system3=Ontario Northland Railway
|line3=Northlander|left3=Washago|right3=
|system4=Via Rail|line4=Super Continental|left4=St. Clair Avenue
|system5=Canadian National Railway
|line5=Grand Trunk Main|left5=Sunnyside|right5=Danforth
|line6=Grand Trunk Main|left6=Sunnyside|right6=Riverdale|note-right6=(closed 1932)
|line7=Niagara Falls-Toronto|left7=Sunnyside
|line8=North Bay-Toronto|left8=Parkdale
|line9=Sarnia-Toronto|left9=Parkdale
|line10=Capreol-Toronto|right10=Don|to-right10=Capreol
|line11=Toronto-Cobourg|right11=Don|note-mid11=Removed 1920s
|line12=Toronto-Belleville|right12=Danforth
|line13=Toronto-Port Hope|right13=Danforth
|system14=Canadian Pacific Railway
|line14=Detroit-Montreal|left14=Parkdale|right14=Don
|line15=Toronto-Montreal via Peterboro|right15=Don
|line16=Sudbury-Toronto|left16=Parkdale
|line17=Owen Sound-Toronto|left17=Parkdale
|line18=Hamilton-Toronto|left18=Sunnyside
}}
 | other_services2_header = Future services<ref>{{cite web |title=Northlander Passenger Train |url=https://www.ontarionorthland.ca/en/travel/northlander-passenger-train |website=www.ontarionorthland.ca |publisher=[[Ontario Northland Transportation Commission]] |date=6 June 2023 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>
 | other_services2_collapsible = yes
 | other_services2 = {{Adjacent stations
 |system18=Ontario Northland Railway
 |line18=Northlander future|left18=Langstaff}}
| embedded = {{designation list|embed=yes|designation1=Canada|designation1_offname=Union Station (Canadian Pacific and Grand Trunk) National Historic Site of Canada|designation1_date=1975|designation2=HRSC|designation2_date=1989|designation3 = Ontario Heritage Act|designation3_offname=Union Station Heritage Conservation District|designation3_date=2006}}
 | mapframe-stroke-colour = #C60C30
 | mapframe-stroke-width = 3
 | mapframe-marker = rail
 | mapframe-marker-colour = #009D58
 | mapframe-zoom = 13
| map_type = Canada Toronto#Canada Southern Ontario#Canada Ontario#Canada
| map_caption = Location in Toronto##Location in Southern Ontario##Location in Ontario##Location in Canada
| map_dot_label = Union Station
}}
 
'''Union Station''' is a major [[railway station]] and intermodal [[transit hub|transportation hub]] in [[Toronto]], Ontario, Canada. The station is located in [[downtown Toronto]], on [[Front Street (Toronto)|Front Street West]], on the south side of the block bounded by [[Bay Street]] and York Street. The [[municipal government of Toronto]] owns the station building while the provincial transit agency [[Metrolinx]] owns the [[train shed]] and trackage. It is operated by the Toronto Terminals Railway, a joint venture of the [[Canadian National Railway]] and [[Canadian Pacific Railway]], which directs and controls train movement along the Union Station Rail Corridor, the largest and busiest rail corridor in Canada. Constructed in 1927, Union Station has been a [[National Historic Sites of Canada|National Historic Site of Canada]] since 1975,<ref>{{DFHD|1984|Union Station|October 23, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{CRHP|6299|Union Station (Canadian Pacific and Grand Trunk) National Historic Site of Canada|August 19, 2011}}</ref> and a [[Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act|Heritage Railway Station]] since 1989.<ref>{{CRHP|6492|Union Station|October 23, 2013}}</ref>

Its central position in Canada's busiest [[inter-city rail]] service area, "[[Corridor (Via Rail)|The Corridor]]", as well as being the central hub of GO Transit's commuter rail service, makes Union Station Canada's busiest transportation facility and [[List of busiest railway stations in North America|the second-busiest railway station]] in North America (behind [[New York Penn Station]]), serving over 72{{nbsp}}million passengers each year. More than half of all Canadian inter-city passengers and 91 percent of Toronto commuter train passengers travel through Union Station.<ref name="toronto.ca">{{cite web |title=About Union Station |url=http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=5e05962c8c3f0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD |publisher=City of Toronto |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811073230/https://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=5e05962c8c3f0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD |archive-date=August 11, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="GO Numbers">{{cite web |title=Info to GO |publisher=GO Transit |url=http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/aboutus/QF_InfoToGo_EN_03-15-v3.pdf |date=April 2015 |access-date=April 26, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508141957/http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/aboutus/QF_InfoToGo_EN_03-15-v3.pdf |archive-date=May 8, 2016}}</ref>

[[Via Rail]] and [[Amtrak]] provide inter-city train services while [[GO Transit]] operates regional rail services. The station is also connected to the [[Toronto subway|subway]] and [[Toronto streetcar system|streetcar]] system of the [[Toronto Transit Commission]] (TTC) at its adjacent [[Union station (TTC)|namesake subway station]]. GO Transit's [[Union Station Bus Terminal]], located in [[CIBC Square]], is connected to Union Station by a {{convert|40|m|adj=on}} [[skyway|enclosed walkway]] above Bay Street. The [[Union Pearson Express]], which provides train service to [[Toronto Pearson International Airport]], has a platform a short walk west of the main station building, accessible by the [[SkyWalk]].<ref name=UPX_Station/>

{{TOC limit|3}}

==Site location==
[[File:Toronto - ON - Union Station.jpg|thumb|left|Union Station is located on [[Front Street (Toronto)|Front Street]] between York and [[Bay Street (Toronto)|Bay Street]].]]
Toronto's Union Station is located at 61 Front Street West, between Bay and York Streets in Toronto's business district, with [[Toronto Entertainment District|Toronto's Entertainment District]] beginning across Bay Street. It is roughly at the city's east-west centre. It is also close to [[Lake Ontario]], which marks Toronto's southern boundary. The southernmost part of the [[Gardiner Expressway]], which lies between Union Station and Lake Ontario, provides easy core access to GO Transit buses. Union Station's columned façade and main entrance faces north, towards downtown Toronto. The [[Fairmont Royal York Hotel]], a former railway hotel, is directly across Front Street from Union Station and can be accessed from the station both at street level and via an underground passageway called [[PATH (Toronto)|Path]]. The [[Dominion Public Building]], another building from the same era, is just to the east of the station, at the corner of Front and Bay Streets.

Other major buildings near Union Station are [[Telus Tower]], [[Royal Bank Plaza]], and [[Brookfield Place (Toronto)|Brookfield Place]]. Brookfield Place is home to the Allen Lambert Galleria, a six story high pedestrian thoroughfare, as well as the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]], which holds the [[Stanley Cup]].

[[Scotiabank Arena]], [[Rogers Centre]], [[Metro Toronto Convention Centre]], and the [[CN Tower]] are all close by, and are visible from some parts of the station. Like Union Station, these structures were built on former [[Railway Lands]]. All of them can be accessed directly from Union Station via the Skywalk. The land around the CN Tower has been converted to a public park. Union Station will soon be linked via a Path bridge on the east side to the Backstage Condominium building at the corner of Esplanade and Yonge Street.

==Structure==
Toronto's Union Station is Canada's largest and most opulent railway station. The Montreal architecture firm of [[Ross and Macdonald]] designed the building in the [[Beaux-Arts style]] as a joint venture between the Grand Trunk Railway and the Canadian Pacific Railway, with help from CPR architect Hugh Jones and Toronto architect [[John M. Lyle]]. In 1975, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada cited its design as being of "national architectural significance as one of the finest examples of Beaux-Arts railway station design in Canada".<ref name="design">{{cite web |url=http://www.ttrly.com/design_architecture.htm |title=Union Station design and architecture |author=Toronto Terminals Railway |author-link=Toronto Terminals Railway |date=November 2007 |access-date=November 24, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070925053229/http://www.ttrly.com/design_architecture.htm |archive-date=September 25, 2007}}</ref>

The bilaterally symmetrical building comprises three connecting box masses facing Front Street West, with the main structure in the middle. Together, the three parts measure {{convert|752|ft|m}} long and occupy the entire south side of the block between Bay Street in the east and York Street in the west.<ref name="Toronto1">{{cite web |title=Union Station Revitalization — Get on Board! |url=http://www.toronto.ca/union_station/pdf/integrity_statement.pdf |publisher=City of Toronto |access-date=August 14, 2015}}</ref>
[[File:A seagull visiting Union Station.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The facade of the Front Street entrance includes 22 colonnaded loggia constructed with [[limestone]].]]
The exterior Front Street façade is laid out in an ashlar pattern, constructed with smooth beige [[Indiana Limestone|Indiana]] and Queenston limestone. The colonnaded loggia which faces Front Street features 22 equally spaced Roman Tuscan columns made from Bedford limestone, each {{convert|40|ft|m}} high and weighing 75 tons. Fourteen three-storey bays, each with severely delineated fenestration, form the façade on either side of the central colonnade for a total of 28 bays.<ref name="Toronto1" /> The structures at either end have an additional ten bays. Three rectangular windows fill each bay, lighting the interior hall with plenty of natural light. However, the building's external profile is hard and flat, with a line of huge columns, heavy ornamentation and strong symmetry.

The recessed main entrance is framed by two sets of four columns, with relief wreaths carved into the entablature above the columns. These columns are composed of three separate segments on top of an incongruous octagonal plinth, implying an [[Ionic order]] or [[Corinthian order]]; however, the capital is sculpted in a [[Doric order]]. Consequently, these columns appear to be unfinished. The original plan for the columns is not known.

A wraparound dentil cornice and a recessed peaked hipped roof creates the illusion of a flat roof, just like a palazzo. On either side of the main entrance, a blind arch with an ornamental keystone contains a set of three steel-framed doors, along with a large arched window. Decorative friezes separate the arched window from the doors. When these entryway elements are combined, they create a processional experience through the entryway into the grand interior space. The flat-roof illusion, together with the axial symmetry, classical detailing in both structural and decorative elements, heavy ornamentation, and formal setting is typical of the Beaux-Arts style.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=6299 |title=HistoricPlaces.ca |publisher=HistoricPlaces.ca |date=August 28, 1989 |access-date=June 11, 2012}}</ref>

The station housed a gun range on the seventh floor from 1927 until 2008. The range was operated for "Canadian Pacific Railway and Canadian National Railway police to practice their shooting skills. It eventually opened to members of the public". It was known as the Canadian National Recreation Association (CNRA) handgun club. The city closed the range in 2008 as a symbolic gesture to its effort to reduce gun violence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvo.org/article/current-affairs/shared-values/battle-over-union-station-shooting-range-underlines-urban-gun-divide |title=Battle over Union Station shooting range underlines urban gun divide |author=Daniel Kitts |date=September 24, 2015 |website=TVO |access-date=September 30, 2017}}</ref>

===Great Hall and Via Concourse===
The front entranceway opens on to the expansive Ticket Lobby, informally known as the "Great Hall". This part of Union Station runs the entire length of the main section. It is {{convert|250|ft|m}} long and {{convert|88|ft|m}} high at its highest point. Like the outside facade, enduring materials such as bronze, limestone, marble, tiles, and translucent glass create a sense of enduring quality.<ref name="Toronto1" />
[[File:The Great Hall of Union Station in Toronto.jpg|left|thumb|Union Station's ticket lobby, or "Great Hall", is lit with diffused natural light from [[clerestory]] windows throughout the lobby.]]
The entire space is lit with diffused natural light from [[clerestory]] windows refracted throughout the lobby. Each end of the Great Hall also features four-storey tall arched windows, based on those of Roman baths.<ref name="Toronto1" />

The two-storey-high vaulted ceiling, which is what makes it look from the front as though a second building were rising behind the colonnade, is made of coffered [[Guastavino tile]]s.<ref>{{citation| last=Vyhnak| first=Carola| title=How Toronto almost lost Union Station| newspaper=The Toronto Star| date=August 7, 2006| page=IN7}}</ref> The walls are faced with Zumbro stone from Missouri, and the floors are constructed of [[Tennessee marble]] laid in a herringbone pattern. Below the cornice surrounding the "Great Hall" are carved the names of many Canadian destinations, from the east coast to Vancouver, accessible by the Grand Trunk Railway or Canadian Pacific Railway at the time of the station's construction. Many remain destinations on Via Rail routes.

While historically shared by many different services, the Great Hall is now occupied primarily by Via Rail, whose agents also provide services to [[Amtrak]] passengers. The hall is home to Via's ticket and baggage desks, [[Airport lounge|business class lounge]], and several small displays, as well as the station's grand clock, a [[Travelers Aid International|Traveller's Aid]] desk, and Via's departure board.

===GO concourses and teamways===
[[File:Union Station The Bay Concourse 2009.jpg|thumb|The old Bay Concourse (circa 2009) which was in service from 1978 to 2015]]
[[File:Union Station's York Concourse (16658457334).jpg|thumb|Connections with [[GO Transit]] services can be accessed through the York Concourse.]]
Passengers can connect with GO Transit services through the {{convert|62000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} York Concourse, which opened on April 27, 2015, west of Union Station. This new concourse supplemented the York South Concourse that provided access to platforms 24 to 27.<ref name="GO Improve">{{Cite web |url=http://www.gotransit.com/unionstation/en/improvements/concourse.aspx |title=GO Concourse Improvements |access-date=August 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706112705/http://www.gotransit.com/unionstation/en/improvements/concourse.aspx |archive-date=July 6, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="GO Union Map">{{cite web |url=http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/improve/bay-images/detailed-map-lg.jpg |title=Union Detailed Map |publisher=Go Transit |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924023713/http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/improve/bay-images/detailed-map-lg.jpg |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The York and York South Concourses connect to the York East Teamway, as well as an entrance to a Path tunnel leading across Front Street, between York Street and University Avenue.<ref name="PATH map">{{cite web |url=http://www1.toronto.ca/static_files/economic_development_and_culture/docs/BIA%20Maps/PATH_map.pdf |title=PATH map |publisher=City of Toronto |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820161152/http://www1.toronto.ca/static_files/economic_development_and_culture/docs/BIA%20Maps/PATH_map.pdf |archive-date=August 20, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The York West Teamway is connected to Union Station via the Skywalk.<ref name="GO Union Map" />

Historically, the {{convert|40000|sqft|m2|order=flip|adj=on}} Bay Street Concourse was the hub of GO Transit operations for almost 40 years.<ref name="GO Improve" /><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.torontosun.com/videos/news/toronto-and-gta/5745370001/go-transits-bay-concourse-to-undergo-major-renovation/4404196613001 |title=Go Transit's Bay Concourse To Undergo Major Renovation |access-date=October 13, 2015 |archive-date=October 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016122014/http://www.torontosun.com/videos/news/toronto-and-gta/5745370001/go-transits-bay-concourse-to-undergo-major-renovation/4404196613001 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Bay Concourse was closed on August 16, 2015, for revitalization.<ref name="GO handout">{{cite web |title=Your GO Train Platform at Union Station is Changing |url=http://www.gotransit.com/unionstation/en/customer/UnionStn_PlatformChanges_Handout.pdf |date=April 2015 |publisher=GO Transit |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924040927/http://www.gotransit.com/unionstation/en/customer/UnionStn_PlatformChanges_Handout.pdf |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="GO Improve Bay">{{cite web |title=Bay Concourse Closing |url=http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/improve/bay.aspx |publisher=GO Transit |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815135434/http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/improve/bay.aspx |archive-date=August 15, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>[https://www.metrolinx.com/en/discover/look-back-at-iconic-bay-concourse-as-it-reopens-at-union-station] The new Bay Concourse reopened on July 27, 2021, featuring 72 departure screens, 30 Presto devices, seven ticket vending machines and six self-service Presto reload machines. Both the Bay and York concourses give access to GO train platforms.<ref name="Metrolinx-2021-07-27">{{cite web |url=https://blog.metrolinx.com/2021/07/27/brand-new-bay-concourse-opens-to-customers-inside-union-station-today/ |title=Brand new Bay Concourse opens to customers inside Union Station today |publisher=[[Metrolinx]] |date=July 27, 2021 |access-date=July 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801030747/https://blog.metrolinx.com/2021/07/27/brand-new-bay-concourse-opens-to-customers-inside-union-station-today/ | archive-date=August 1, 2021}}</ref>

The Bay West Teamway provides access to platforms 4 to 13 and the Bay South Concourse.<ref name="GO Improve Bay" /> The Bay East Teamway provides indoor access to platforms 4 to 13 directly from the [[Union Station Bus Terminal]].<ref name="Metrolinx-2021-05-26">{{cite web |url=https://blog.metrolinx.com/2021/05/26/bay-street-pedestrian-walkway-at-union-station-reopens/ |title=Bay Street pedestrian walkway at Union Station reopens |publisher=[[Metrolinx]] |date=May 26, 2021 |access-date=July 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531085108/https://blog.metrolinx.com/2021/05/26/bay-street-pedestrian-walkway-at-union-station-reopens/ | archive-date=May 31, 2021 }}</ref>

{{as of|2023}}, [[Metrolinx]] is constructing the new South Concourse. This will connect the south ends of the Bay, Via and York Concourses, and span between Bay and York Streets. It will also provide access to Union Square and Scotiabank Arena.<ref name="Metrolinx-2023-02-21">{{cite web |url=https://www.metrolinx.com/en/news/improvements-at-toronto-s-iconic-transit-hub-continue- |title=Improvements at Toronto's iconic transit hub continue |publisher=[[Metrolinx]] |date=February 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221191320/https://www.metrolinx.com/en/news/improvements-at-toronto-s-iconic-transit-hub-continue- | archive-date=February 21, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Train shed===
[[File:Glass roof at Toronto Union Station.jpg|thumb|left|A glass atrium forms the central portion of the train shed.]]
Trains arrive and depart from the [[train shed]], which contains 23 platforms (11 island platforms and one side platform) south of the Great Hall.<ref name="Metrolinx-2022/01/10" /> On May 11, 2009, the last two platforms were opened, platforms 24/25 between tracks 12 and 13 and platforms 26/27 between tracks 13 and 14 on the south side of the train shed.<ref name="Metrolinx-2022-01-17">{{cite web |url=https://blog.metrolinx.com/2022/01/17/oh-no-its-transit-math-solving-the-mystery-of-how-torontos-union-station-platform-numbers-work/ |title=Oh no, it's transit math – Solving the mystery of how Toronto's Union Station platform numbers work |publisher=[[Metrolinx]] |date=January 17, 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117215641/https://blog.metrolinx.com/2022/01/17/oh-no-its-transit-math-solving-the-mystery-of-how-torontos-union-station-platform-numbers-work/ | archivedate=January 17, 2022 }}</ref> {{as of|2022|7|alt=In July 2022,}} Metrolinx was having platforms 24 to 27 and their three tracks demolished on the south side of the station in order to replace them with two new tracks and two new wider platforms to increase safety and capacity.<ref name="Metrolinx-2022/07/06">{{cite web |url=https://blog.metrolinx.com/2022/07/06/improvements-continue-at-torontos-iconic-transit-hub-as-part-of-the-union-station-enhancement-project/ |title=Improvements continue at Toronto's iconic transit hub as part of the Union Station Enhancemen |publisher=[[Metrolinx]] |date=July 6, 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707004541/https://blog.metrolinx.com/2022/07/06/improvements-continue-at-torontos-iconic-transit-hub-as-part-of-the-union-station-enhancement-project/ | archivedate=July 7, 2022 }}</ref>

The train shed was designed by A.{{Nbsp}}R. Ketterson and built between 1929 and 1930. It is a variation of the Bush train shed invented by [[Lincoln Bush]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.eraarch.ca/project/union-station-train-shed/ |title=Union Station Train Shed |website=eraarch.ca |access-date=March 10, 2019}}</ref> A reconstruction of the train shed began in January 2010. The east and west sides of the shed, totalling approximately {{convert|30000|m2|sqft|abbr=off}} were renovated and restored with input from [[Parks Canada]] to help preserve its heritage character. This renovation came with plans to have a green roof installed, reducing the [[urban heat island]] effect and [[stormwater]] runoff; however, with the project being almost eight years behind and multiple times over budget, along with the fact that plant-watering logistics would clash with the planned overhead wiring for electrification, the addition of a green roof was cancelled. The central portion of the original train shed, totalling {{convert|5000|m2|sqft|abbr=off}}, was removed and replaced with a glass atrium. The structure, designed by [[Zeidler Architecture]], floats above the tracks and allows daylight to reach the platforms.<ref name="GO Train Shed">{{cite web |url=https://www.canadianarchitect.com/go-roof-union-station/ | title=GO Roof, Union Station | date=December 2012 }}</ref>

Platform 3 is the northernmost platform at Union Station and is the only platform at the station serving just one track. It reopened for service on January 10, 2022, after a renovation of its heritage features. Allowing a lower, lighter shed roof in the age of steam, the smoke vents over tracks 1 and 2 are a preserved heritage feature of the platform 3 area; these were restored. The decorative, cast-iron columns along the platform were restored and reinstalled. Other structural renovations were done along the length of the platform. Once the north tower of the CIBC Square is completed, stair and elevator access will be reinstated between platform 3 and the Bay East Teamway.<ref name="Metrolinx-2022/01/10">{{cite web |url=https://blog.metrolinx.com/2022/01/10/heritage-platform-at-torontos-union-station-reopens-following-restoration-work/ |title=Heritage platform at Toronto's Union Station reopens following restoration work |publisher=[[Metrolinx]] |date=January 10, 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111011339/https://blog.metrolinx.com/2022/01/10/heritage-platform-at-torontos-union-station-reopens-following-restoration-work/ | archivedate=January 11, 2022 }}</ref>

{{External media|title=Metrolinx media
|image1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20221030021423/https://i0.wp.com/blog.metrolinx.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Platform-numbers.png Track and platform cross-section at Union station looking west] }}
The 23 platforms are numbered from 3 to 27, but there is no platform 1, 2, 23 or 24. The platforms were renumbered in 2008 for the benefit of operational staff in order to provide a correlation between platform numbers and track numbers. (Prior to the renumbering, the platform numbers had an A or B suffix that proved to be confusing for both customers and operational staff.) Tracks and platforms are each numbered from north to south with track 1 being beside platform 3 on the north side of the train shed. There is an island platform between all pairs of tracks except between tracks 1 and 2 and tracks 11 and 12. Odd numbered platforms are on the north side of a track while even numbered platforms are on the south side of a track. There is a formula to compute the platform number given the track number, with an exception for track 1:<ref name="Metrolinx-2022-01-17" />
* The number for the platform on the south side of a track equals two times the track number.
* The number for the platform on the north side of a track equals two times the track number minus one, except for track 1 where the platform number is set to 3 rather than 1.<!-- The REF said the platform is based on track 2 but does give a good explanation for the exception. -->

Occasionally, freight trains from both Canadian National and Canadian Pacific networks pass through Union Station<ref name="TTR-USRC">{{cite web |url=https://www.ttrly.com/about/usrc-description/ |title=Ontario – Union Station Rail Corridor (USRC) |publisher=Toronto Terminals Railway |accessdate=February 21, 2023 }}</ref> using two tracks on the south side of the train shed.<ref name="TTR-History">{{cite web |url=https://www.ttrly.com/about/history/ |title=History |publisher=Toronto Terminals Railway |accessdate=February 21, 2023 }}</ref>

===West wing and SkyWalk===
Union Station's west wing is west of the Great Hall. [[Metrolinx]] is headquartered in the west wing at 97 Front Street.<ref name="GO Union Map" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metrolinx.com/en/contactus/ |publisher=Metrolinx |title=Contact Us |access-date=August 14, 2015}}</ref> Across from these offices is an official tourism information centre that provides maps, visitor guides, brochures and tourism specialists to provide help to city visitors.<ref>{{cite web |title=Union Station Tourist Information Centre |url=http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=92200995bbbc1410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=71c08b7a29891410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD |publisher=City of Toronto |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811075534/https://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=92200995bbbc1410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=71c08b7a29891410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD |archive-date=August 11, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

A pathway known as the [[SkyWalk]] continues west from the west wing, overtop of York Street. The SkyWalk is considered part of the Path network, and connects Union to the [[CN Tower]] and [[Rogers Centre]]. It is also the location of the [[Union Pearson Express]] station.

==History==
===Predecessor stations===
{{Further|Toronto Union Station (1858)|Toronto Union Station (1873)}}
[[File:Second Union Station in 1878.jpg|thumb|Toronto's [[Toronto Union Station (1873)|second Union Station]] in 1878, several years after its opening]]
The current Union Station's history can be traced to 1858, when the [[Grand Trunk Railway]] (GTR) opened Toronto's [[Toronto Union Station (1858)|first Union Station]] west of the present Union Station. The wooden structure was shared with the [[Northern Railway of Canada|Northern Railway]] and the [[Great Western Railway (Ontario)|Great Western Railway]]. This structure was replaced by a [[Toronto Union Station (1873)|second Union Station]] on the same site, opening in 1873. The [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] began using the facility in 1884 and it was completely rebuilt, opening in 1896.

The [[Great Toronto Fire of 1904]] destroyed the block south of Front Street West, immediately east of the second Union Station (bounded by Bay and York streets), but did not damage the station. The GTR acquired this land east of the second Union Station for a new passenger terminal and in 1905 both the GTR and the CPR decided to proceed with the design and construction of a third union station.
[[Image:Excavating site of new union station with old station in background.jpg|thumb|left|Excavations for the third Union Station in 1915, with second Union Station in background]]
The decision to undertake the third union station was made against a backdrop of significant change in the Canadian railway industry. At the same time, the Government of Canada was encouraging the GTR to build a second [[transcontinental railway]] (what would become the [[Grand Trunk Pacific Railway]] and the [[National Transcontinental Railway]]) and the [[Canadian Northern Railway]] was undertaking an aggressive expansion across the prairies and into southern Ontario.

===Construction===
{{See also|Union Station Rail Corridor}}
On July 13, 1906, the Toronto Terminals Railway (TTR) was incorporated to "construct, provide, maintain and operate at the City of Toronto a [[union station|union passenger station]]". The TTR was jointly owned by the GTR and the CPR who each held 50% of the TTR shares. The TTR supervised construction of the new station which began in 1914 and proceeded to 1920, having faced significant delays in the shortage of construction material and workers as a result of the [[World War I|First World War]], as well as the GTR's deteriorating financial position due to its ill-fated transcontinental GTPR railway project.<ref name="history">{{cite web |url=http://www.ttrly.com/history.htm |title=Toronto Terminals Railway history |author=Toronto Terminals Railway |author-link=Toronto Terminals Railway |date=November 2007 |access-date=November 24, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023065317/http://www.ttrly.com/history.htm |archive-date=October 23, 2007}}</ref>

The resulting construction saw the elimination of Lorne Street located between Simcoe and Bay from Front to Esplanade with tracks leading west of the new station now in place.

Although the new station's headhouse and east and west office wings (the station building visible from Front Street West) were completed in 1920, it did not open to the public for another seven years, until the system of approach tracks was designed and implemented by the TTR and its owners. During this time in 1923, the bankrupt GTR was fully [[Nationalization|nationalized]] by the Government of Canada and merged into the [[Canadian National Railways]] (CNR), which would assume the GTR's 50% ownership of the TTR and thus the third Union Station.

===Opening and further construction===
[[File:Prince of Wales at the official opening of Union Station.jpg|thumb|[[Prince George, Duke of Kent|Prince George]] at the opening of Union Station by his brother, [[Edward VIII|Prince Edward, Prince of Wales]], on August 6, 1927]]

Although the station was incomplete, its building was complete and the station was opened by [[Edward VIII|Prince Edward, Prince of Wales]], on August 6, 1927,{{sfn|Riddell|1994|p=14}} in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, using a pair of gold scissors. In attendance were [[Prince George, Duke of Kent|Prince George]], [[Lieutenant Governor of Ontario]] [[William Donald Ross]] and his wife, [[Prime Minister of Canada]] [[William Lyon Mackenzie King]], [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]] [[Stanley Baldwin]] and Mrs. Baldwin, [[Premier of Ontario]] [[George Howard Ferguson]], and other members of the [[government of Ontario]] and [[government of Canada]].<ref name=birthday>{{cite news| title=Union Station turns 80| url=http://www.torontosun.com/Lifestyle/Columnists/Filey_Mike/2007/08/05/4395354-sun.html| archive-url=https://archive.today/20070930210244/http://www.torontosun.com/Lifestyle/Columnists/Filey_Mike/2007/08/05/4395354-sun.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=September 30, 2007| author-link=Mike Filey| last=Filey| first=Mike| newspaper=Toronto Sun| date=August 2007| access-date=November 24, 2007}}</ref> Prince Edward was the first person to step off of a train into Union Station; a mixed choir composed of soloists from the city's churches sang the royal anthem, "[[God Save the Queen|God Save the King]]", as the royal party walked through the concourse.<ref name=Griffen>{{citation| last=Griffen| first=Frederick| title=Entrance of Prince into Union Station marks great event| date=August 6, 1927| newspaper=The Toronto Star| page=1}}</ref> Once he was in the Great Hall, the Prince of Wales quipped, "you build your train stations like we build our cathedrals".<ref>{{cite web| url=http://torontothenandnow.blogspot.com/2010/11/12-royal-family-in-toronto-then-and-now.html| title=The Royal Family in Toronto, Then and Now| date=November 20, 2010| publisher=Toronto Then and Now| accessdate=August 6, 2022}}</ref> He was then escorted to a nearby [[Canadian National Railway]] [[Box office|wicket]] and was presented with the first ticket issued at the station: one "valid for all time" and "between all stations". He proceeded to the [[Canadian Pacific Railway]]'s wicket, where he was given a first-class fare from Toronto to [[High River]], [[Alberta]], where his ranch was located.<ref name=Griffen/> Prince George was given similar tickets.<ref name=Griffen/>

Four days later, the track network was shifted from the second Union Station. To get to trains, passengers would walk from the south doors to the tracks located several hundred feet to the south while the new viaduct, concourse and train shed were under construction.{{sfn|Riddell|1994|p=14}} Demolition of the second Union Station began almost immediately and was completed in 1928. The third Union Station project was not fully completed until 1930 when the train shed was completed; its construction was supervised by the TTR from 1925 to 1930.<ref name=history />

The TTR also constructed a central heating plant at the corner of York and Fleet streets (now Lake Shore Boulevard West) to replace the original Toronto Hydro plant on Scott Street which had been expropriated by the TTR to build the approach track viaduct to the new station. It was fuelled by [[coal]] delivered by a CNR siding and was the largest such facility in Canada when it opened in 1929; it produced {{Convert|150000|kg}} of steam per hour and {{Convert|270000000|kg}} annually to heat the station; the passenger cars in the train shed; CNR and CPR yard facilities in the area now occupied by the [[Gardiner Expressway]], [[Rogers Centre]] and [[Scotiabank Arena]]; the CPR's [[Fairmont Royal York|Royal York Hotel]]; the Dominion Public Building; the federal post office building adjacent to the station; and the CN/CP Telecommunications building on Front Street.

===Subway connection===
[[File:Front street excavation.jpg|thumb|Excavation outside of Union Station on Front Street in 1950 for a [[Line 1 Yonge–University|subway line]]]]
The first major change to Union Station took place in 1954 when the [[Toronto Transit Commission]] opened its [[Union station (TTC)|Union subway station]] adjacent to Union Station but buried beneath Front Street West. This subway station acted as the southern terminus of its new [[Toronto Subway|subway line]]. The subway station included a direct tunnel connection to the lower level passenger concourse. This passageway was closed and replaced by the direct connection between the railway station and the subway station in 1979 when the subway station mezzanine was renovated and enlarged. In 1990, the TTC's Harbourfront LRT project added an underground [[streetcar]] loop now used by the [[509 Harbourfront]] and [[510 Spadina]] streetcar lines. TTC passengers using the Union subway and streetcar station may transfer between both modes without entering Union Station proper.

===Metro Centre redevelopment proposal===
{{Further|Railway Lands}}
During the early 1970s, Canada's two major passenger railways, the [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] and Canadian National, were reducing their services to the bare minimum mandated under the Canadian Transport Commission, largely as a result of unsustainable losses caused by increased competition from new subsidized four-lane highways and airports.
[[File:CN Tower footings 1973.jpg|thumb|left|Construction for the [[CN Tower]] in 1973. Plans to redevelop the [[Railway Lands]] surfaced with freight traffic being diverted outside the downtown core.]]
The third Union Station's future was looking bleak by 1972, when both railways sought to increase return on their underutilized waterfront rail [[classification yards]] which were being viewed as valuable real estate. Both CN and CP began to abandon their extensive waterfront rail classification yards south of the passenger station to make way for urban redevelopment. The [[Gardiner Expressway]] project was constructed over part of the railway property and CN had proposed constructing a telecommunication tower (what would become the [[CN Tower]] later that decade).

CN and CPR proposed a "Metro Centre" development on the south side of Front Street on the site of Union Station and proposed to demolish the structure (which was costing an increasing amount of property taxes but not bringing in revenue). The proposed Metro Centre development was strikingly similar to what occurred with New York City's [[New York Penn Station|Penn Station]] and would have consisted of an underground fourth Union Station (the terminal trackage would have been buried), a convention centre, a telecommunications tower, along with complementary office and retail developments. Local opposition to the proposal was successful in having the city council's decision to support the Metro Centre development overturned and Union Station was saved.

Although it was converted from coal to [[natural gas]], the Central Heating Plant built in 1929 was decommissioned in the 1980s, and demolished in 1990.<ref name=history /> It is now the site of the Ice condominium towers.

In 1978, CN and CP transferred responsibility for their passenger rail services to Via Rail, a new federal [[Crown corporations of Canada|Crown corporation]] but retained their 50% ownership shares of the TTR.

===Growth and waterfront development===
[[File:Skyway from Union Station to the Skydome.jpg|thumb|The [[SkyWalk]] was constructed over the train tracks of Union Station to connect the [[Metro Toronto Convention Centre]] and [[Rogers Centre]] with the rest of the [[PATH (Toronto)|Path]] pedestrian network.]]
The [[GO Transit]] commuter rail agency which was established on May 23, 1967, had been undergoing unprecedented expansion which was seeing Union Station see passenger levels that outstripped some of the busiest airports in the world. The consolidated TTR trackage included a [[Overpass|flyover]] west of the station to permit freight trains to cross CN's Oakville subdivision without blocking GO Transit's commuter trains. The flyover was constructed in 1982–83 and also allowed GO trains destined for the CN Weston subdivision to cross over the tracks used by GO and Via trains using the CN Oakville subdivision. {{Citation needed|date=September 2009}}<!-- when? was this built, or merely proposed? -->

The CN Tower had revamped the vision of Toronto's waterfront rail yards and proposals were made to construct what would later become [[SkyDome]] (1989) and [[Air Canada Centre]] (1999), resulting in further changes to the Union Station trackage. The Path pedestrian tunnel network was built to connect Union Station's passengers with many of the downtown office towers and the [[SkyWalk]] was constructed over the terminal trackage west of the station to connect the Path with the [[Metro Toronto Convention Centre]] and Rogers Centre.

===21st century revitalization===
{{See also|Union station (TTC)#Station expansion}}
[[File:Union Staiton South Entrance 2023.jpg|thumb|Union Station's southern entrance was opened in 2010.]]

In 2000, the City of Toronto purchased the station building from the TTR, while GO Transit purchased the railway corridor and the Union Station train shed. On July 24, 2003, the City of Toronto agreed to lease Union Station to Union Pearson AirLink Group, a subsidiary of [[SNC-Lavalin]], for a term of 100 years.

A subsequent announcement on May 24, 2006, addressed several issues for commuters including: constructing a direct connection from the GO Concourse to the Path pedestrian tunnel system, a new eastbound platform for the [[Union station (TTC)|Union TTC station]], improved access to streetcars at Union TTC station, and improved capacity for inter-city railway passengers. These developments were part of a $100{{nbsp}}million initiative announced by the city and its transit authorities, along with the Government of Ontario and Government of Canada.<ref name="collapse">{{cite news |url=http://urbantoronto.ca/forum/threads/union-station-station-building-revitalization-city-of-to-u-c-norr.4308/ |title=Failed projects To Get Second chance |work=[[National Post]] |author=James Cowan |date=December 20, 2006}}</ref> On August 5, 2009, the Toronto City Council approved an update of this plan which was projected to cost $640{{nbsp}}million, with construction lasting from 2010 to 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=Toronto approves Union Station makeover |author=Brodie Fenlon |work=The Globe and Mail |date=August 5, 2009 |page=A6 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto-approves-union-station-makeover/article4281223/}}</ref> Much of the work was undertaken by or managed by [[Carillion]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/massive-renovation-of-torontos-union-station-over-budget-behind-schedule/article18840369/ |title=Over budget and behind schedule, Toronto Union Station project may miss Pan Am games deadline |author=Robyn Doolittle |author-link=Robyn Doolittle |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |location=Toronto |date=May 26, 2014 |access-date=September 1, 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Toronto Union Food Court.jpg|thumb|Union Food Court, the first phase of the lower retail level, was opened in January 2019.]]
[[File:Union Station Bay Concourse after renovation 2023.jpg|thumb|The new Bay Concourse (circa 2023) which opened in 2021]]

The work also involved a complete overhaul of the GO concourses, deepening them to create two storeys of space. The lower level (the [[food court]] section of which opened in January 2019)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://torontolife.com/food/union-stations-new-food-court-now-open-heres-can-order/ |title=Union Station's new food court is now open. Here's what you can order |author=Renee Suen |work=[[Toronto Life]] |date=January 7, 2019 |access-date=June 3, 2019}}</ref> will provide retail space and room for pedestrian traffic flow, and the upper storey will be dedicated to passenger traffic onto the platforms. This will expand not only the current GO concourse in the east of the building, but also open up the western end; GO Transit's presence in the building will nearly quadruple. Additional aesthetic points include glass roofs over the moat space around the north sides of the building, and a tall atrium over the central portions of the platforms. A new southern entrance, adjacent to the Air Canada Centre, opened in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.toronto.ca/union_station/pdf/union_stn_presentation_nov10.pdf |title=Union Station |date=November 17, 2017 |access-date=January 20, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=New South Platform – Platform 26/27 |url=http://www.gotransit.com/unionstation/en/improvements/completedprojects/southplatform.aspx |publisher=GO Transit |access-date=July 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709011126/http://www.gotransit.com/unionstation/en/improvements/completedprojects/southplatform.aspx |archive-date=July 9, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The 2009 Ontario and Canada government budgets included financing to assist GO, Via and the city in redeveloping and restoring the station. Track has been upgraded with better signals and snow cleaning devices to reduce winter delays to train movement.

In 2016, it was realized that the renovated train shed roof was too low to allow electrification. The train shed roof is considered a heritage feature and cannot be removed. Remedies considered were raising the roof, or lowering the track level.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/union-station-shed-renovation-stalled-by-low-arches-and-an-electrified-future/article28448568/ |title=Raise the roof? Union Station reno runs into problem: New trains won't fit |last=Gee |first=Marcus |date=January 28, 2016 |website=www.theglobeandmail.com |access-date=April 3, 2018}}</ref>

By early 2018, the cost had increased from $640{{nbsp}}million to an estimated $823.5{{nbsp}}million. Work that was to have been completed in 2015 was projected to be finished late 2018<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2018/01/19/union-station-renovation-delayed-again-will-cost-23m-more.html |title=Union Station renovation delayed again, will cost $23M more |last=Spurr |first=Ben |date=January 19, 2018 |website=www.thestar.com}}</ref> and in late 2018 revised to 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/11/13/construction-on-union-station-pushed-back-until-2019.html |title=Construction on Union Station pushed back until 2019 |date=November 13, 2018 |website=thestar.com}}</ref> In 2019 it was announced that the city's portion of construction would be complete in 2019, but then Metrolinx would have to start its work, with a projected 2020 completion date.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.iheartradio.ca/newstalk-1010/news/union-station-renovation-could-stretch-into-2020-1.8986189 |title=UNION STATION RENOVATION COULD STRETCH INTO 2020 |last=Morris |first=Siobhan |date=March 1, 2019 |work=Newstalk 1010 |access-date=March 10, 2019}}</ref>

In February 2019, charges were laid by [[Toronto Fire Services]] against contactor [[Bondfield Construction]] and the city for an over-crowding issue where doors had been blocked.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/fire-code-violations-laid-after-overcrowding-situation-at-union-station/ |title=Fire code violations laid after overcrowding situation at Union Station |last=Wilson |first=Codi |date=February 28, 2019 |work=[[CFTO-DT|CTV News Toronto]] |access-date=March 10, 2019}}</ref> In March 2019 it was reported that Vaughan-based contractor Bondfield Construction had applied for bankruptcy protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA).<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://ontarioconstructionreport.com/as-it-files-for-creditor-protection-bondfield-construction-wins-right-to-defamation-trial-against-globe-and-mail/ |title=As it files for creditor protection, Bondfield Construction wins right to defamation trial against Globe and Mail |last=CNGRPsite |date=March 8, 2019 |work=Ontario Construction Report |access-date=March 10, 2019}}</ref>

===Heritage recognition===
Union Station became designated as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1975, and a Heritage Railway Station in 1989. In 1999, Union Station was inducted into the [[North America Railway Hall of Fame]] as being significant in the course of railway history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://narhf.org/?p=5482 |title=Union Station |publisher=North America Railway Hall of Fame |quote=Inducted 1999 |access-date=January 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928094319/http://narhf.org/?p=5482 |archive-date=September 28, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The station is recognized as part of the '''Union Station Heritage Conservation District''' (Designated Part V) under the ''[[Ontario Heritage Act]]'' enacted by Toronto City Council on July 27, 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://secure.toronto.ca/HeritagePreservation/details.do?folderRsn=2435415&propertyRsn=206975 |title=Heritage Property Detail |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2015 |website=City of Toronto |access-date=November 14, 2015 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207092044/https://secure.toronto.ca/HeritagePreservation/details.do?folderRsn=2435415&propertyRsn=206975 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Passenger services==
[[Image:Union Station grand hall 5.jpg|thumb|right|Timetable for [[inter-city rail]] services in the Great Hall]]
Union Station is the busiest public transportation structure of any kind in Canada, including air travel. It handles 65{{nbsp}}million passengers annually, with an average of 200,000 passengers each day. Approximately two-thirds of those passengers are GO train or GO bus commuters, while another 20{{nbsp}}million take the subway. The remainder are intercity travelers between other cities in Canada and the United States.<ref name="toronto.ca" />

===National===
{{Main|Via Rail}}
Toronto is Canada's primary passenger train hub. Consequently, Union Station is by far Via Rail's busiest and most-used station. Each year, 2.4{{nbsp}}million Via Rail passengers pass through Union Station, representing more than half of all Via Rail passengers carried systemwide.<ref name="toronto.ca" /> This heavy usage is partly due to Union Station's position at the centre of Canada's busiest inter-city rail service area, the "[[Corridor (Via Rail)|Corridor]]", which stretches from [[Quebec City-Windsor Corridor|Quebec City in the east to Windsor in the west]].
[[File:VIA 644 at Toronto Union Station, September 27 2025 (01).jpg|left|thumb|[[Via Rail]] train waiting in Union Station. The station is Via Rail's most used facility.]]
Westbound Via Rail trains from Toronto connect directly to most major cities in [[Southwestern Ontario]], including [[Kitchener, Ontario|Kitchener]], [[London, Ontario|London]], [[Sarnia, Ontario|Sarnia]], and [[Windsor, Ontario|Windsor]]. Additionally, westbound trains from [[Montreal]] pass through Toronto en route to [[Burlington, Ontario|Burlington]]. Northbound and eastbound Via Rail trains from Toronto primarily serve the heavily travelled [[Ottawa]]–Montreal–Toronto triangle. At Montreal, passengers can connect to trains heading to the Maritimes or north to the Laurentians.

Union Station is also the eastern terminus of ''[[The Canadian]]'', Via Rail's transcontinental service westbound to [[Vancouver]] via [[Winnipeg]], [[Saskatoon]] and [[Edmonton]].

===International===
[[File:Amtrak 64 VIA 97 with 716.JPG|right|thumb|The [[Maple Leaf (train)|Maple Leaf]] departing from Union Station to New York City]]
{{Main|Amtrak}}
In partnership with Via Rail, Amtrak runs the ''[[Maple Leaf (train)|Maple Leaf]]'' train from Toronto to New York City. The train uses an [[Amtrak rolling stock|Amtrak consist]] but is operated by Via crews north of [[Niagara Falls, Ontario]]. Other major U.S. destinations along the route include [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]], [[Rochester, New York|Rochester]], [[Syracuse, New York|Syracuse]] and [[Albany, New York|Albany]].

Amtrak and Via Rail formerly operated the ''[[International Limited]]'' from Toronto to [[Chicago]] via the [[Sarnia, Ontario|Sarnia]]–[[Port Huron, Michigan|Port Huron]] border crossing, until it was cancelled in 2004. Both VIA Rail and Amtrak maintain service along the route on their respective sides of the border, but the trains do not cross the border.

===Provincial and suburban===
{{Main|GO Transit}}
[[File:Union Station's Platform 25 for GO Train.jpg|thumb|Platform 25 is primarily used by GO Transit commuter rail service]]
Union Station is the central terminal for GO Transit, which handled approximately 69.5{{nbsp}}million passengers in 2015.<ref name="GO Numbers 2">{{Cite web |title=Info to GO |publisher=GO Transit |url=http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/aboutus/GO%20Info%20To%20Go_SEP.pdf |date=September 2016 |access-date=November 7, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107221609/http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/aboutus/GO%20Info%20To%20Go_SEP.pdf |archive-date=November 7, 2016}}</ref>

*[[Barrie line]] to North York, Vaughan, King City, Aurora, Newmarket, East Gwillimbury, Bradford, and Barrie
*[[Kitchener line]] to York, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Acton, Guelph and Kitchener
*[[Lakeshore East line]] to Scarborough, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa
*[[Lakeshore West line]] to Etobicoke, Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls
*[[Milton line]] to Etobicoke, Mississauga and Milton
*[[Richmond Hill line]] to North York and Richmond Hill
*[[Stouffville line]] to Scarborough, Markham and Stouffville

GO Transit's [[Union Station Bus Terminal]] is located at [[CIBC Square]], 81 Bay Street, on the south side of the terminal. The terminal currently serves [[GO Transit]] [[GO Transit bus services|regional buses]] as well as [[Coach Canada]], [[TOK Coachlines]], and [[Ontario Northland Motor Coach Services|Ontario Northland]] long-distance bus services.

===Connecting services===
[[File:UnionTTCStation.jpg|thumb|The station includes access to the [[Toronto subway]] system.]]
{{Main|Toronto subway}}
Union Station is connected to the Toronto Transit Commission's [[Union station (TTC)|Union Subway Station]], which is part of [[Line 1 Yonge–University]] of the [[Toronto subway]] system. Two [[Toronto streetcar system|Toronto streetcar routes]], [[509 Harbourfront]] and [[510 Spadina]], can also be accessed underground without leaving Union Station. The streetcar platform was built in 1989 and is separate from the subway station platforms built in 1954. Altogether, twenty million TTC passengers pass through Union Station each year.<ref name="toronto.ca" /> The TTC station was renovated and expanded in 2015, with an additional platform to increase capacity.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 2, 2015 |title=TTC celebrates its completion of Union Station subway renovation |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/ttc-celebrates-its-completion-of-union-station-subway-renovation/ |access-date=August 30, 2020 |website=[[CTV News]] |language=en}}</ref>

Toronto Transit Commission bus routes 19 Bay, 72 Pape, 97 Yonge, 121 Esplanade–River, and night route 320 Yonge, use curbside stops on the streets outside.

===Airport link===
{{Main|Union Pearson Express}}
On June 6, 2015, the Union Pearson Express (UP Express), a dedicated [[airport rail link]] service, started running between Union Station and [[Toronto Pearson International Airport]], stopping only at [[Bloor GO Station|Bloor]] and [[Weston GO Station|Weston]] GO stations. The opening of the line allowed Metrolinx to achieve its goal, announced in 2010, of operating an airport rail link from Union Station in time for the [[2015 Pan American Games]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/toronto-airport-rail-link-negotiations-collapse/browse/5.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909133058/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/toronto-airport-rail-link-negotiations-collapse/browse/5.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 9, 2012 |access-date=August 16, 2010 |title=Railway Gazette: Toronto airport rail link negotiations collapse }}</ref>
[[File:Union Pearson Express.JPG|thumb|[[Union Pearson Express]] Union Station, located west of the main Union Station building]]
Trains on this line do not stop at the regular platforms used by GO and Via trains, but use a separate station located west of the main station building along the length of the main [[Atrium (architecture)|atrium]] of the [[SkyWalk]] between York Street and Lower Simcoe Street. The UP Express Union Station is a 5-minute walk from [[Union station (TTC)|Union subway station]].<ref name=UPX_Station>
{{cite news |url=https://www.upexpress.com/SchedulesStations/UnionStation |title=Union Station |publisher=[[Union Pearson Express]] |date=June 9, 2015 |access-date=June 9, 2015}}
</ref>

Trains depart from the station's single [[side platform]] every 15 minutes. Passengers access trains directly from an enclosed waiting area, and a glass wall with [[Platform screen doors|sliding doors]] separate trains from the platform and open to allow passengers to board directly from the waiting area without exposure to the elements. The floor of the waiting area is level with the train floor, which allows for [[Level boarding|step-free boarding]].

The UP Express Union Station has a dedicated [[customer service]] counter, [[ticket vending machine]]s and flight [[check-in kiosk]]s. These kiosks permit [[check-in]]s for [[Air Canada]] and [[WestJet]].<ref name=UPX_Faq>
{{cite news |url=https://www.upexpress.com/CustomerSupport/Faq |title=Guest Services – FAQs |publisher=[[Union Pearson Express]] |date=June 8, 2015 |access-date=June 8, 2015}}
</ref> Three stands in the waiting area offer [[Balzac's Coffee Roasters|Balzac's coffee]], souvenirs and [[Mill Street Brewery]] draft beer.<ref name="TheStar2015-06-06">
{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/06/06/union-pearson-express-upx-opens-to-the-public.html |title=Union Pearson Express (UPX) opens to the public |work=[[Toronto Star]] |author=Robin Levinson King Staff Reporter |date=June 6, 2015 |access-date=June 8, 2015}}
</ref>

===Former operations===
====Ontario Northland====
{{Main|Ontario Northland Railway}}
*''[[Northlander]]'' to Gravenhurst, Huntsville, North Bay, Cobalt and Cochrane
The ''Northlander'' provided a passenger train service between Union Station and Northeastern Ontario from 1976 until 2012. In March 2012, the Government of Ontario announced plans to discontinue this service,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ontarionorthland.ca/images/news/ontc_public_website_message_from_chair.pdf |title=Message from ONTC Chair Ted Hargreaves, March 23, 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and the final day of operations was September 28, 2012.

====Amtrak====
*''[[International Limited|International]]'' to Port Huron, Flint, Battle Creek, Niles, and Chicago
The ''International'' (known until 1983 as the ''International Limited'') provided a passenger train service between Union Station and Chicago Union Station from 1982 until 2004, when the cross-border service was discontinued and replaced by Via Rail's [[Corridor (Via Rail)|Toronto–Sarnia]] service, and Amtrak's ''[[Blue Water (train)|Blue Water]]'' route from Port Huron to Chicago. The final day of operations was April 23, 2004.

==Other railway stations (terminals or depots) in Toronto==

* [[Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway]] Terminal – south of [[Fort York]] (now 24 Bathurst Street condo across from Housey Street){{clarify |date=July 2019 |reason=the former station was converted to a condo OR the former station was located where the condo is now?}}{{Citation needed|reason=All this stuff is unsourced|date=July 2019}}
* Grand Trunk Freight House – Front Street West and Simcoe Street (now Metro Toronto Convention Centre){{clarify |date=July 2019 |reason=the former station was converted to the convention centre OR the former station was located where the centre is now?}}
* Northern Railway Office – Spadina Avenue and Front Street West (late as ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'' head office and now being re-developed as The Well condo project
* Grand Trunk Passenger Terminal – Front Street East and Yonge Street (Freight Office after 1882, later as Toronto Wholesale Fruit Market from 1900 and Canadian Consolidated Rubber Company, shed destroyed by fire in 1952 and station finally demolished to make way for the [[Meridian Hall (Toronto)|O'Keefe Centre for the Performing Arts (now Meridian Hall)]]
* [[Toronto and Nipissing Railway]] Passenger, Freight and Maintenance Terminal, Berkeley Street – Front and Parliament, now Parliament Square Park 
* Northern Railway Depot – Jarvis and The Esplanade at south end of old St Lawrence Market and now part of [[St Lawrence Market]] South wing

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book |title=The Railways of Toronto, Volume Two |first=John |last=Riddell |year=1994}}
*[http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/union_station/ Toronto Union Station Master Plan]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20041208231623/http://toronto.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=to_union20030724 CBC: Train station leased for 100 years]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20041206192624/http://www.tc.gc.ca/mediaroom/releases/nat/2003/03-h132e.htm Transport Canada Rail Link News Release]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060528211834/http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inimr-ri.nsf/en/gr123365e.html Toronto's Union-Pearson Air-Rail Link]
*[http://www.ttrly.com/ Toronto Terminals Railway Company]
*[http://www.infiltration.org/utility-union.html Underground exploration]

==External links==
{{Commons category|Union Station (Toronto)}}
*[http://www.torontounion.ca Official website]
*[http://www.toronto.ca/union_station/ Union Station] at the City of Toronto
* {{GO Station|UN}}
*Union Station on Via Rail ([https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-destinations/stations/ontario/toronto English], [https://www.viarail.ca/fr/decouvrez-nos-destinations/gares/ontario/toronto French])
* {{Amtrak web|TWO|Union Station}}
*[http://transit.toronto.on.ca/gotransit/2302.shtml Union Station] at Transit Toronto
*[http://www.trainweb.org/usarail/toronto.htm Toronto Union Station (Canada RailGuide—TrainWeb)] {{in lang|en}}
*[http://www.iridetheharlemline.com/2010/06/25/canadian-adventures-torontos-union-station-skywalk/ Photos of Toronto Union Station and Skywalk]
*[https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015082471080?urlappend=%3Bseq=205 Article from "Architectural Forum" (1924) about the design of the station]
*{{cite news |url=https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/union-station-shed-renovation-stalled-by-low-arches-and-an-electrified-future/article28448568/ |title=Raise the roof? Union Station reno runs into problem: New trains won't fit |last=Gee |first=Marcus |newspaper=[[The Globe and Mail]] |date=January 28, 2016 |access-date=October 4, 2017}}
*{{OSM way|14744491}}

{{GO Transit}}
{{Amtrak Canada stations}}
{{Toronto landmarks}}
{{NHSC}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Via Rail stations in Ontario]]
[[Category:GO Transit railway stations]]
[[Category:Ontario Northland Railway stations]]
[[Category:Amtrak stations in Canada]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Toronto]]
[[Category:Beaux-Arts architecture in Canada]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Canada opened in 1927]]
[[Category:Path (Toronto)]]
[[Category:Ross and Macdonald buildings]]
[[Category:Union stations in Canada|Toronto Union Station (1927)]]
[[Category:Canadian Pacific Railway stations in Ontario]]
[[Category:Railway Lands]]
[[Category:Designated heritage railway stations in Ontario]]
[[Category:Transport in Toronto]]