Repairs running late on Bay St.
Bus station escalators have been out of commission for years, and TTC is blamed
If buses took as long to get where they’re going as the fix for an escalator at the Bay St. bus station, nobody would ever be on time.
The venerable station at Bay and Elizabeth Sts. is owned by the Toronto Transit Commission but leased to Greyhound and Coach Canada, which operate intercity bus service out of it.
A lot of people who choose the economy and convenience of a bus ride over other modes of travel end up at the station, also known as the Toronto Coach Terminal, and are familiar with its shortcomings.
We’ve gotten emails about the escalators dating back to 2016, including a recent note from retired travel agent Gilbert Blackthorn, who says the station is a cringeworthy embarrassment.
“Bus terminals can’t compare to the grandiosity of an airport, but just because one takes the bus isn’t a reason to treat them as second-class citizens,” Blackthorn said.
He noted that one of the two escalators that run between the basement and ground floor has been out of service for years, while the only elevator in the station has been on the blink for several months.
“Everyone, including the elderly and disabled, must navigate the stairs from the main floor waiting area in order to use the washrooms one level below.
“I am totally embarrassed by hav- ing to stand outside. Waiting to board an idling bus while inhaling fumes is something I would expect in a thirdworld county. But this accessibility issue is totally unacceptable.” Status: The TTC owns the building, so we sent our questions to the TTC. A TTC spokesperson said it isn’t their problem. He provided phone numbers for Greyhound in Texas and Coach Canada in New Jersey. A Greyhound PR person in Dallas hooked us up with David Butler, a regional vice-president, who said the elevator was completely redone and restored to service last week. But the escalator won’t be fixed anytime soon, Butler said. A water leak inside the building would compromise repairs to the escalator, Butler said, adding “we could spend six figures” fixing it, but as soon as water started to leak into the escalator, it would again conk out. The tenants say the TTC is responsible for the leak, he said, but the TTC refuses to repair it. So until the beef is resolved, the escalator won’t be fixed. Thanks, TTC! What’s broken in your neighbourhood? Wherever you are in Greater Toronto, we want to know. Send an email to jlakey@thestar.ca. Report problems and follow us on Twitter @TOStarFixer.