Wow! This station is huge. Amsterdam Central took me 7 days of strolling each day to get a feel of where I am exactly. This Toronto station would take at least 2 months.
@@gary7vn Yes, but that is slightly misleading as it is also vastly larger in area than many Eurpoean cities due to the amalgamation the 6 neighborhoods.
Reminds me a bit of Taipei Main Station, it's also a sprawling network of tunnels and underground streets. I got lost there a couple of times and had to take the nearest exit to street level to find my bearings.
Like Reece pointed out, one reason Union Stn is so complex is all the ongoing construction. Construction is a constant here. Toronto has the highest number of construction cranes in North America with over 250. L.A. is in second place with a mere 50-60. ... also try navigating when you need level access (b/c of having a stroller or using a wheelchair) and elevators are out of service due to the constant construction.
I lived there in 1978 and believe me, this station has changed a lot since then. I was there in 2015 and 2016 and got completely lost. But I can see that the changes are for the better.
I hope that future VIA service (& others) make fuller use of the Great Hall. It's such an amazing and wonderful space! Lots of great design and details too. And yet whenever I'm there it never seems all that busy as most functions happen elsewhere (and since VIA's service right now is not all that frequent/great). To see it regain it's grand entrance and main circulation space status would be delightful. Thanks Reece for the video!
Chicago's Union Station also has an impressive Grand Hall, but it's also not that busy. Most of the functional areas for Amtrak and the regional Metra are away from there.
@@gedias1 It'd be unfortunate if this is a trend across the great stations of North America. Denver at least seems to have bucked this trend, with its old station main hall well used and revitalized (even if the rail services there are now limited...)
Interesting video. I've never been to Toronto so I haven't visited Union Station, but it does look to be a big hub for transit, and the fact it's constantly under construction means Union is still seen as important and thus needs to be updated to meet changing transit needs. Funny thing is, Julian O'Shea recently posted a video on why so many North American train stations are called Union, Penn, or Central, and here you've made an in-depth post on Toronto's.
@@RMTransit It is pretty much the reason Toronto exists in its current form. Without Union Station, no Hogtown. No CN Tower. No manufacturing, food processing, bootlegging... The port of Toronto would still exist, and so would Toronto itself. But not to the same extent it does, if it were to exist without a massive railroad hub at its core.
The dual level bus terminal is quite cool and modern. Travelled to New York recently by bus and surprised by how many different inter-city bus companies there were.
I usually avoid downtown but this has peaked my interest to take a visit before the warm weather rolls in. It is an easy route from Sheppard West and back.
I recommend trying out the GO train from Downsview Park to Union. It's more expensive than the subway but it's a lot faster and it has some neat views so it's worth trying at least once, if only just for the experience. Unfortunately most of the trains are cancelled at the moment due to construction but regular service should hopefully be back in the summer or autumn.
@@RMTransit I have gone to Union a few times now just for the Perogi place. The new GO concourse is such a nice change from the old one that was so cramped and crowded.
Thanks for this video Reece! Over the years Union Station has really improved even with all of the ongoing construction, I specially like the addition of the food court that we have now. I visit the station a few times a week now since I work from home but always end up taking a few pictures before heading back home. Great architecture and a rich part of our city's history
Delighted that you mentioned the Danish Pastry Shop (you should try the Hoy Snegl !). However, I was a little disappointed that you didn't mention the Union Station marijuana shop. ... certainly something unique and symbolic of Canadian freedom.
Mentioning a marijuana shop would doubtless cost him a ton of ad revenue-without really adding anything relevant to the the topic of transit facilities.
@@SleinJinn Ah!! I was wondering why in almost no travel Vlogs about Toronto does anyone ever mention the hundreds of marijuana shops in Toronto; it is virtually impossible not to notice them everywhere, but no one ever seems to mention them.
The complexity of Union Station reminds me of the complexity of Grand Central Terminal with the new addition of Grand Central Madison for Long Island Rail Road Service.
I love the latest updates to Union! It's so much prettier & cleaner looking than it used to be. And covering the moat was a long overdue major improvement. Can't wait to see what else the future holds.
Hats off to the security staff who are constantly helping with directions and keeping everyone safe. Also the two amazing coffee shops and the great tea and sandwhich places . Best coffee in the city at Danish Pastry House
All the times I went to the station I entered the main doors on Front and waited in the great hall for my via train. I had no idea that there were so many other places and connections in it. Quite a labyrinth
You did an excellent job describing everything! I am legally blind and having your description would have been really helpful when I was learning the layout of Union Station. Love your work. Keep it up!
I've been coming to Union Station for better part 30 years, and blows my mind how much they did, the old terminal had its charm but the new look feels much better feels more modern yet I love that they left the big VIA rail arch concourse entry terminal, reminds us how far Toronto has come.
most of downtown Toronto is connected by the PATH, which is currently 30km long, and it has stores and restaurants throughout. the PATH connects to about a half dozen subway stations as well as; office building, residential towers, shopping malls, Universities, government buildings, etc, so pretty much all of downtown toronto underground is one big mall in which you can pretty much do and go anywhere entirely underground and you will always in sight of stores, food courts and restaurants. What you see of Union station is pretty much what the rest of the path looks like, it also is continually expanding as new buildings and walkways are connected to it. it's pretty much an entire pedestrian city underground.
Hi Reece. That was a nice video you made about Union Station. Thanks for the video Reece! I personally visited this Station in the past, though it is a very long time since I was there last time. And a perfect coincidence as Johnny Strides released a walking video today (Feb. 28th , 2023) ending at Union Station. Would be nice to see you and Johnny Strides do collab videos together soon. I liked the last collab you did with Johnny Strides back in 2021.
Good question, Jordan, I've often wondered why do people line up for trains? They are guaranteed a specific seat, so why stand in a lineup for 1 hour? Just to get on the train first? The departure time of the train is on the ticket, so you can just show up and go to the end of the line. It's not going anywhere without you.
@@bobbbxxx It's more of a procedural thing. The only reason they do it is to check for oversized baggage. What they should do is only show a gate when passengers are allowed to board. This will stop people from queing when they can't even board the train
@@jordanjackson410 From my experience, it is always the same gate used for the train to Montreal, and people insist on getting there early to stand in line. It is not necessary and not required to queue; like going to an airport, people should read their tickets and find out how much carry-on luggage they are allowed. They only stop people with oversized luggage, which is not very often. There is no advantage to getting onto the train first.
This is helpful. I really get confused in and around Union. It's extremely difficult to figure out wtf is going on when you're rushing to catch something
I use the go train as much as possible these days but with all the wonderful renovations and expansions at union that’s occurred, I still get confused on where to go. I find it easy to exit the building just confusing to get to the concourse/train platforms. Not too sure if it’s simply the layout of the building that’s not ideal or the way finding not being clear enough? Signs not prioritizing which fonts to enlarge with arrows and signs not bright enough to distinguish from the colour palate from the surroundings? It was easier to navigate Japanese transit hubs when I visited and large stations in the real London when I lived there. I do appreciate this video though a lot so amazing work!
" Union Station is confusing" is an understatement. I moved to a condo building south of Union Station 18 months ago and it took me several months to find the best way to get to the UP station and the TTC through Union Station. The direction signs in Union Station are confusing, causing me to go into circles. I finally found the best route through the doors by the Delta Hotel on Lower Simcoe Street . But I still get lost if I need to go to the TTC from the Eastern part of Queens Quay due to the construction in the bus station section on Bay Street . This video is great, pointing out several shops there I havent run into yet.
Great content Reese! Can you compare how Union Station stacks up to other central stations around the world? What are the potentials of Union Station in the future? This station is probably the most well known station in the region so more Union Station content will be a "gateway" to people following your channel.
Great video! I recently got lost there my first time back in a while transferring from the UPE looking for the streetcar up Spadina st. I saw signs to TTC but wasn't sure if that meant the subway or the streetcar. I first went outside expecting the street car to be street level, before finally finding the underground boarding area. I totally am with you about the wayfinding leaving a lot to be desired (and I work in transit 😅).
My go-to is usually train when coming into Toronto, but next time I really want to take a look at the new bus terminal and that gem of a park. (and go easy on Tim Horton's - two is not excessive in that labyrinth!)
I really like your channel and was waiting for your instalment covering Canada’s busiest building. You did a great job of showing all the passageways and navigation. I would have liked to see better coverage of the West Wing or the area on Front Street where I’ve seen great programming like Union Summer and Union Holiday taking place every year. I’ve seen performances by the Canadian Opera Company, the National Ballet of Canada other great cultural and entertainment events there. Through the great programming they are always doing there, Union is so much more than a train / bus station.
I have no idea if it's still there, but there used to be a gun range under Union station. It was used by the railway police for practice and also by the CN employees gun club.
I went to Union Station for the first time in three years. I got so lost in there. Took me a while to re-orient myself and figure out how to get to the Grand Hall. Also didn't realize that there are two entirely separate GO concourses that go to the same trains.
It looks flexible, large, and clean. But it also feels really sterile and industrial. Higher ceilings would be nice, but certainly some green plants (even plastic plants) would give it a bit more pleasant atmosphere.
Higher ceilings are generally very difficult because the station is multilevel and there’s usually something above and below! Plants would be nice! Or a green wall!
@@RMTransit Windows onto the tracks or adjacent areas, or a few ceiling views, help people stay oriented. Design by box is functional and fits more retail, but is a bit sad. Anyhoo, service and usability are more important than stations if money is limited. A good contrast is NY Penn from the 1970s vs. the two new parts, West and Moynihan. The old part would be fine if it weren’t overcrowded, but is charmless boxes. West is like windows onto a factory floor, excellent, but it doesn’t have to do much, no retail or ticketing. Moynihan is OK, some obscuration around the edges. Old Penn is getting opened up some, as much as possible. The RR companies had nestled in too much work space behind walls, and the thing had been built to reuse the worst parts of pre-1964 Penn. The new thing in NYC everyone thinks is too spread out, Grand Central Madison, is probably getting less sympathy than it would if the mega corridor had some light from the street and over to the old platforms. They also went all in on beautiful stone but enormous over tech video decoration. Thanks for making this vid. Amazing to see it all working.
Not just GO will have more service. VIA will also run HFR. A lot of people will switch from driving/flying to trains. I wonder if the enhanced TTC station will be able to stand the flow.
I’m (hopefully) moving to Canada soon so I knew of union station and it being big but this is crazy. It reminds me of Hong Kong or something with all the passages
Just to positive reinforce future content: I've been here for half a year now, and my experience with the PATH has been exiting a station and finding myself there accidentally, getting lost, and winding up at street level nowhere near where I was trying to go. Twice. So... yeah I'd really appreciate a video on the PATH lol.
Lol, that's a shared experience for anybody wandering there. The only easy points of reference are Union Station and The Eaton Center because the main flow of people goes between those; anything else is rolling the dice until you become familiar with the route by trial and error. Even asking people for directions is not very helpful, since a good chunk of them will be as lost as you are and the rest know how to go where they want to be, but likely don't have a clue where they are at that specific moment. I'm afraid a video is not going to help at all, since the main issue is that the corridors were created by connecting buildings in whatever way was more convenient and don't follow any pattern whatsoever.
Is there no officical map of the station? It would be complicated, but with an exploded view simillar to the shopville location plan that's found on the website (and everywhere in the station itself) of Zurich Main Station (which I think is one of the best station in the world for it's amenities and signage) it could work.
I was here in mid-2018 when it was being expanded, and just trying to figure out how to get down to the subway line as an out-of-towner was an adventure. We started toward one set of platforms before we realized that the services with destinations including "Vancouver" probably wasn't, in fact, being served by the TTC. Eventually we found a detour through an outdoor section covered with tarps. Hopefully the renovations have made it a little easier to navigate!
Great video! Would have been great to focus more on a map and point out the locations you're showing on video. Despite all the explanation it felt hard to follow as someone not from Toronto
I am from Toronto and have been in Union Station on a few occasions and I found the video more confusing than the station itself -- and that is saying a lot. It would be a great improvement if the maps shown simply had a "you are here" dot.
Hello, I would like to tell you that if you were interested in rolling stock of Asturias and Spain's Cercanías and a short local explanation I would be glad to provide it I think it's a unique system, in good and bad ways
Excellent overview video! I'd just add this tidbit: The UPX station is located where the original Union station used to be, until it closed in 1927 when the current building was opened. Station Street was used as a streetcar terminal/loop and was part of a "moat" around the original station.
I'd love to see a follow up with some of the history of these underground concourses since most of my time lived in Toronto was with the yellow tile 1970s Bay concourse, meanwhile I don't even remember what the York concourse was really like.
Great video, Reese/Reece. That was a lot of information to absorb. Wow. Yes, Union is a confusing place even for a life-long Torontonian. Truly expansive. It seems that every time I'm there, I come across the skeletal remains of a long-lost tourist. Until the remains are of school children on a school trip, they will not improve the wayfinding. Oh well. Just make sure you have water and some digestive biscuits to sustain yourself until that day comes.
I wish I had watched this last summer, would have helped a Little bit with navigating Union Station. I checked your play list but couldn't find anything about travel between Pearson International to Union station, and how to access the diffrent transit options once there. Traveling with two young children with multiple suitcases and no info booths open (it was around 8pm) was stressful!😵💫 Having to find the elevators and then trying to find the signage again was crazy! Finally found a security guard to ask where the GO train platforms were! Do you have a video on this? Thanks
I always had the impression that the portion of the Skywalk where UP Express is located was roughly the site of the previous Union Station, hence Station Street.
Great video. Lived in Toronto in 2002 so I got familiar with Union back then. Last visited in 2019. Glad you pointed the people who stand in line for VIA trains. I just sit down in those chairs off to side. Not sure why they want to stand for 20 to 30 minutes with luggage. Odd :)
I used to commute from Pickering to Bloor and Dufferin for work, I’ve lived in the GTA all my life, and I still get lost almost every time I go through Union. One day I’ll get it 😂
This video is frustrating because I was expecting a guide to union station. You’re giving descriptions of things to people who have never been to Toronto. I still don’t understand how to get from the waterfront to the street car, or from front street to the subway. The mystery of union lives on!
Referring to all the construction, a famous celebrity once said, "I'll come back to Toronto when it's finished!" Will it ever be finished? As always, a great video. They are always very informative.
One was the late great Bob Hope performing a headline act at the CNE Grandstand in the 60's. That's right, the 60's - I know 'cause I was there with my Folks ; )
Thanks for the video. Maybe if I watch it a dozen more times I might actually know my way around it. I still have trouble getting from the UP Express station to the food court and from food court up to the Via counters. I didn't even know anything existed there other than the food court, the UP station, the Via concourse and the grand hall.
So glad The Moat's enclosed now - selfish smokers' effluent used to waft into both the subway station & Union station. Unfortunately now the a&&hole smokers now crowd the grand front entrances. Ugh.
At least Toronto's Union Station is spacious, seemingly well-signed, and not so claustrophobic. Chicago's Union Station is an underground labyrinth. The old part of the station is absolutely beautiful and seems to have a logical layout, too bad it isn't the "real" train station anymore. The actual station is down a corridor and a block east into a poorly designed and dingy, low ceiling, and drab labyrinth of undulating half levels, twists and turns, odd walls, and dead end rooms. Chicago's Union Station doesn't even have the complexity of connecting L trains or bus station to consider. Chicago's national bus station is inexplicably isolated almost underneath a huge freeway interchange about 1/2 mile away without a direct connection to any rail transit at all, but that's another story. Even with a great sense of direction, I was baffled by the twists and turns. Is a central corridor too difficult of a concept? A compass came in handy. Add inconsistent signage standards and you have a confusing building. You would be forgiven for thinking there were more than two levels. Unless you use it everyday, it is a headache for most people to make sense of, especially in a hurry.
Good video Reece. I'd love to see more on wheelchair accessible routes, entrances, and exits. This is not only essential for wheelchair users, but also for people with strollers and/or luggage. The one video of the route from the CIBC tower/Microsoft headquarters to Union shows an out of service elevator. What's the alternate route? (Likely going back outside, crossing Bay, and up the other side of Bay to Front St.) There's a good level access accessible route via elevator(s) and ramps from the subway and streetcar platforms to outside on the west side of Bay Street.
Part of the reason Union is so confusing is that it keeps changing. Trying to learn the layout of Union is much like trying to learn the destinations of the staircases in Hogwarts.
When the Go buses were on strike, the Go Train to Go Train transfer was confusing since you enter into the Via Rail platform right off getting off a Go train and had to basically walk around the perimeter of the area to get to the Go Trains platform.
The video is fantastic and appreciated greatly. However I detest you blowing up my CIBC park spot, I absolutely love that it's empty almost every time I'm there
You got a nice shot of the malfunctioning VIA departure board in the intro; was this filmed on 15 February by any chance? I was there on the 15th to board the Canadian and it was malfunctioning as your video shows -- but was working fine the previous evening when meeting my travel companion off of VIA 98/Amtrak 63...
@@RMTransit cool! Also should note that you came up on the trip; Somewhere around Elma (Manitoba), a retired CP (or was it CN) employee I met on board and was chatting with in the Skyline car mentioned he watches your channel too...
Is Harvey’s to be found anywhere in Union station? The next time I come up from the US, when I eat in a fast food place or any other chain restaurant o want it to be a Canadian chain.
I took GO into Union this past Sunday. I don't use public transit often, but I grew up in Toronto. I still found a few things confusing. The "tap-off", I'm never sure if I do it correctly. The signage is really bad. I just followed the mob off the train, wandered around until I recognised the VIA concourse. Got my bearings and headed out to the street. Signage is also a problem at Kipling. Trying to get from the subway to the MiWay platform there are a few places where it's not clear where you are supposed to go.
The video is excellent in explaining the various areas but does not clearly show how it all comes together. I know that it is a very confusing site and you have done well although better diagrams might help.
Wow~ lots of changed something in Union Station! I used to live in Toronto since 25 march 2003 ~ till september 2010 everything with Canadian people only. when I go to fishing to trout pond in Central Isand always passed therer after subway. and always missing there with my numbers of Canadian friends specially Derek & Shona... from s, korea
Wow!
This station is huge.
Amsterdam Central took me 7 days of strolling each day to get a feel of where I am exactly.
This Toronto station would take at least 2 months.
TO is the fourth largest city in North America.
@@gary7vn Yes, but that is slightly misleading as it is also vastly larger in area than many Eurpoean cities due to the amalgamation the 6 neighborhoods.
Reminds me a bit of Taipei Main Station, it's also a sprawling network of tunnels and underground streets. I got lost there a couple of times and had to take the nearest exit to street level to find my bearings.
Like Reece pointed out, one reason Union Stn is so complex is all the ongoing construction. Construction is a constant here. Toronto has the highest number of construction cranes in North America with over 250. L.A. is in second place with a mere 50-60.
... also try navigating when you need level access (b/c of having a stroller or using a wheelchair) and elevators are out of service due to the constant construction.
I lived there for years and still don't get it. 😝 Half of this video is new to me and I used to use Union daily to get to work 😝😝😝
The older sections of Union Station are one of the few surviving examples of Art Deco architecture in Toronto, I hope they don't destroy it entirely.
Beaux Arts architecture actually.
Keep the facades, modernize the interiors for better usability. Maybe preserve a section for history, but a transit hub should be function first.
Some of the old-style interiors are incredible! I love the way it looks
I lived there in 1978 and believe me, this station has changed a lot since then. I was there in 2015 and 2016 and got completely lost. But I can see that the changes are for the better.
I hope that future VIA service (& others) make fuller use of the Great Hall. It's such an amazing and wonderful space! Lots of great design and details too. And yet whenever I'm there it never seems all that busy as most functions happen elsewhere (and since VIA's service right now is not all that frequent/great). To see it regain it's grand entrance and main circulation space status would be delightful. Thanks Reece for the video!
Chicago's Union Station also has an impressive Grand Hall, but it's also not that busy. Most of the functional areas for Amtrak and the regional Metra are away from there.
@@gedias1 It'd be unfortunate if this is a trend across the great stations of North America. Denver at least seems to have bucked this trend, with its old station main hall well used and revitalized (even if the rail services there are now limited...)
First
Expel PCL and replace it with VIA Rail CityCheck and Ontario Northland Railway CityCheck
Interesting video. I've never been to Toronto so I haven't visited Union Station, but it does look to be a big hub for transit, and the fact it's constantly under construction means Union is still seen as important and thus needs to be updated to meet changing transit needs.
Funny thing is, Julian O'Shea recently posted a video on why so many North American train stations are called Union, Penn, or Central, and here you've made an in-depth post on Toronto's.
Yep, where Canadian national and the grand trunk came together! It’s a great facility!
@@RMTransit It is pretty much the reason Toronto exists in its current form. Without Union Station, no Hogtown. No CN Tower. No manufacturing, food processing, bootlegging... The port of Toronto would still exist, and so would Toronto itself. But not to the same extent it does, if it were to exist without a massive railroad hub at its core.
The dual level bus terminal is quite cool and modern. Travelled to New York recently by bus and surprised by how many different inter-city bus companies there were.
Headed here in two hours for a train west, good timing
I Hope you enjoy!
2:00 I'm excited about the upcoming PATH video.
That network makes no sense to me, I'm always lost down there.
heh, my partner has impressed many people with his ability to navigate the PATH.
Thanks sooo much! I'm planning on taking my first GO train from Union Station, and was feeling all anxious about it. This helps me A LOT!
I usually avoid downtown but this has peaked my interest to take a visit before the warm weather rolls in. It is an easy route from Sheppard West and back.
I recommend trying out the GO train from Downsview Park to Union. It's more expensive than the subway but it's a lot faster and it has some neat views so it's worth trying at least once, if only just for the experience.
Unfortunately most of the trains are cancelled at the moment due to construction but regular service should hopefully be back in the summer or autumn.
Living in the downtown, I visited the station a few times, and it is already a destination by itself with that number of shops and restaurants.
Absolutely, I think the restaurants in particular are great touch that brings people in! And there’s more to come!😊
@RMTransit Yes. Sometimes I just wanna to go on a walk here because of... it's just cool :)
@@RMTransit I have gone to Union a few times now just for the Perogi place. The new GO concourse is such a nice change from the old one that was so cramped and crowded.
Thanks for this video Reece! Over the years Union Station has really improved even with all of the ongoing construction, I specially like the addition of the food court that we have now. I visit the station a few times a week now since I work from home but always end up taking a few pictures before heading back home. Great architecture and a rich part of our city's history
This video is fabulous. As a proud Torontonian, I am very proud of the beautiful landmarks this city has.
Delighted that you mentioned the Danish Pastry Shop (you should try the Hoy Snegl !). However, I was a little disappointed that you didn't mention the Union Station marijuana shop. ... certainly something unique and symbolic of Canadian freedom.
I love my danish pastry House!
Mentioning a marijuana shop would doubtless cost him a ton of ad revenue-without really adding anything relevant to the the topic of transit facilities.
Høj snegl. :)
I was going to say the same thing; I'll bet there is no other train station in the world that sports a fancy marijuana shop!
@@SleinJinn Ah!! I was wondering why in almost no travel Vlogs about Toronto does anyone ever mention the hundreds of marijuana shops in Toronto; it is virtually impossible not to notice them everywhere, but no one ever seems to mention them.
Great video. I didn’t know 80% of these things existed, so now I’m even more confused.
The complexity of Union Station reminds me of the complexity of Grand Central Terminal with the new addition of Grand Central Madison for Long Island Rail Road Service.
It's been quite a while since I've been to Union station. Several of the changes from then that I've seen in this video look quite nice.
I love the latest updates to Union! It's so much prettier & cleaner looking than it used to be. And covering the moat was a long overdue major improvement. Can't wait to see what else the future holds.
Hats off to the security staff who are constantly helping with directions and keeping everyone safe. Also the two amazing coffee shops and the great tea and sandwhich places
. Best coffee in the city at Danish Pastry House
All the times I went to the station I entered the main doors on Front and waited in the great hall for my via train. I had no idea that there were so many other places and connections in it. Quite a labyrinth
You did an excellent job describing everything! I am legally blind and having your description would have been really helpful when I was learning the layout of Union Station. Love your work. Keep it up!
Considering when visiting i couldn't find where the exit was for 5 minutes straight, thanks for the guide.
I've been coming to Union Station for better part 30 years, and blows my mind how much they did, the old terminal had its charm but the new look feels much better feels more modern yet I love that they left the big VIA rail arch concourse entry terminal, reminds us how far Toronto has come.
All the enclosed passageways with shopping and eateries reminds me of stations in Japan.
most of downtown Toronto is connected by the PATH, which is currently 30km long, and it has stores and restaurants throughout. the PATH connects to about a half dozen subway stations as well as; office building, residential towers, shopping malls, Universities, government buildings, etc, so pretty much all of downtown toronto underground is one big mall in which you can pretty much do and go anywhere entirely underground and you will always in sight of stores, food courts and restaurants.
What you see of Union station is pretty much what the rest of the path looks like, it also is continually expanding as new buildings and walkways are connected to it. it's pretty much an entire pedestrian city underground.
Hi Reece. That was a nice video you made about Union Station. Thanks for the video Reece! I personally visited this Station in the past, though it is a very long time since I was there last time. And a perfect coincidence as Johnny Strides released a walking video today (Feb. 28th , 2023) ending at Union Station. Would be nice to see you and Johnny Strides do collab videos together soon. I liked the last collab you did with Johnny Strides back in 2021.
Great video, Reece. But I've come again to say WHY, VIA, DO WE HAVE TO LINE UP FOR THE TRAIN??
It’s silly, I’m sure it’ll change eventually - much later than it should have!
Good question, Jordan, I've often wondered why do people line up for trains? They are guaranteed a specific seat, so why stand in a lineup for 1 hour? Just to get on the train first? The departure time of the train is on the ticket, so you can just show up and go to the end of the line. It's not going anywhere without you.
@@bobbbxxx It's more of a procedural thing. The only reason they do it is to check for oversized baggage. What they should do is only show a gate when passengers are allowed to board. This will stop people from queing when they can't even board the train
@@jordanjackson410 From my experience, it is always the same gate used for the train to Montreal, and people insist on getting there early to stand in line. It is not necessary and not required to queue; like going to an airport, people should read their tickets and find out how much carry-on luggage they are allowed. They only stop people with oversized luggage, which is not very often. There is no advantage to getting onto the train first.
I've never heard an announcement asking people to line-up, so I don't think we have to, we just somehow want to. 🤷
This is helpful. I really get confused in and around Union. It's extremely difficult to figure out wtf is going on when you're rushing to catch something
Was in Union just before Christmas for the first time in about 4 years. Blew my mind as too how much it's changed.
I use the go train as much as possible these days but with all the wonderful renovations and expansions at union that’s occurred, I still get confused on where to go. I find it easy to exit the building just confusing to get to the concourse/train platforms. Not too sure if it’s simply the layout of the building that’s not ideal or the way finding not being clear enough? Signs not prioritizing which fonts to enlarge with arrows and signs not bright enough to distinguish from the colour palate from the surroundings? It was easier to navigate Japanese transit hubs when I visited and large stations in the real London when I lived there. I do appreciate this video though a lot so amazing work!
Thanks for watching! It’s definitely a combination of a generally confusing, layout and signage that could be improved!
They definitely need some maps, signs simply aren’t enough in such a complex layout.
" Union Station is confusing" is an understatement. I moved to a condo building south of Union Station 18 months ago and it took me several months to find the best way to get to the UP station and the TTC through Union Station. The direction signs in Union Station are confusing, causing me to go into circles. I finally found the best route through the doors by the Delta Hotel on Lower Simcoe Street . But I still get lost if I need to go to the TTC from the Eastern part of Queens Quay due to the construction in the bus station section on Bay Street . This video is great, pointing out several shops there I havent run into yet.
Great content Reese! Can you compare how Union Station stacks up to other central stations around the world? What are the potentials of Union Station in the future? This station is probably the most well known station in the region so more Union Station content will be a "gateway" to people following your channel.
That was great Reece. I remember Union in days of old, and so far this is a great improvement.
Fabulous!! It’s been many years since I’ve been there….nice to see.
Great video! I recently got lost there my first time back in a while transferring from the UPE looking for the streetcar up Spadina st. I saw signs to TTC but wasn't sure if that meant the subway or the streetcar. I first went outside expecting the street car to be street level, before finally finding the underground boarding area. I totally am with you about the wayfinding leaving a lot to be desired (and I work in transit 😅).
Yep! This is a very valid concern and more needs to be done to make the station easily usable by all!
My go-to is usually train when coming into Toronto, but next time I really want to take a look at the new bus terminal and that gem of a park. (and go easy on Tim Horton's - two is not excessive in that labyrinth!)
I really like your channel and was waiting for your instalment covering Canada’s busiest building. You did a great job of showing all the passageways and navigation. I would have liked to see better coverage of the West Wing or the area on Front Street where I’ve seen great programming like Union Summer and Union Holiday taking place every year. I’ve seen performances by the Canadian Opera Company, the National Ballet of Canada other great cultural and entertainment events there. Through the great programming they are always doing there, Union is so much more than a train / bus station.
There will never be a square station that's perfect but this was a dabsy.
Thanks for watching! 🎉
I love union station, I feel that it’s one of Toronto’s icons
I have no idea if it's still there, but there used to be a gun range under Union station. It was used by the railway police for practice and also by the CN employees gun club.
Great video - especially love the maps that pop up, which help orient even us 6ers (Torontonians) find our way around!
Union station has to be the most nice station in north America nowadays
I loved getting off the train, then walking underground into the Royal York.
I went to Union Station for the first time in three years. I got so lost in there. Took me a while to re-orient myself and figure out how to get to the Grand Hall. Also didn't realize that there are two entirely separate GO concourses that go to the same trains.
It looks flexible, large, and clean. But it also feels really sterile and industrial. Higher ceilings would be nice, but certainly some green plants (even plastic plants) would give it a bit more pleasant atmosphere.
Higher ceilings are generally very difficult because the station is multilevel and there’s usually something above and below! Plants would be nice! Or a green wall!
@@RMTransit Windows onto the tracks or adjacent areas, or a few ceiling views, help people stay oriented. Design by box is functional and fits more retail, but is a bit sad. Anyhoo, service and usability are more important than stations if money is limited.
A good contrast is NY Penn from the 1970s vs. the two new parts, West and Moynihan. The old part would be fine if it weren’t overcrowded, but is charmless boxes. West is like windows onto a factory floor, excellent, but it doesn’t have to do much, no retail or ticketing. Moynihan is OK, some obscuration around the edges. Old Penn is getting opened up some, as much as possible. The RR companies had nestled in too much work space behind walls, and the thing had been built to reuse the worst parts of pre-1964 Penn.
The new thing in NYC everyone thinks is too spread out, Grand Central Madison, is probably getting less sympathy than it would if the mega corridor had some light from the street and over to the old platforms. They also went all in on beautiful stone but enormous over tech video decoration.
Thanks for making this vid. Amazing to see it all working.
Not just GO will have more service. VIA will also run HFR. A lot of people will switch from driving/flying to trains. I wonder if the enhanced TTC station will be able to stand the flow.
What is HFR?
@@johnd8546 High Frequency Rail
I’m (hopefully) moving to Canada soon so I knew of union station and it being big but this is crazy. It reminds me of Hong Kong or something with all the passages
Love these type of videos!
It's been over a decade since I have been at Union station, boy has it changed dramatically.
As many times as I've travelled through Union....you showed me placed I never knew existed! (ex: food court).
I worked on the demolition of the old union Station. I find this modern one cold and way more confusing as well. Love your video
Just to positive reinforce future content: I've been here for half a year now, and my experience with the PATH has been exiting a station and finding myself there accidentally, getting lost, and winding up at street level nowhere near where I was trying to go. Twice. So... yeah I'd really appreciate a video on the PATH lol.
Lol, that's a shared experience for anybody wandering there. The only easy points of reference are Union Station and The Eaton Center because the main flow of people goes between those; anything else is rolling the dice until you become familiar with the route by trial and error. Even asking people for directions is not very helpful, since a good chunk of them will be as lost as you are and the rest know how to go where they want to be, but likely don't have a clue where they are at that specific moment.
I'm afraid a video is not going to help at all, since the main issue is that the corridors were created by connecting buildings in whatever way was more convenient and don't follow any pattern whatsoever.
This place is HUGE! 😳😏
Is there no officical map of the station? It would be complicated, but with an exploded view simillar to the shopville location plan that's found on the website (and everywhere in the station itself) of Zurich Main Station (which I think is one of the best station in the world for it's amenities and signage) it could work.
Yes there is an official map, and it’s pretty good!
I was here in mid-2018 when it was being expanded, and just trying to figure out how to get down to the subway line as an out-of-towner was an adventure. We started toward one set of platforms before we realized that the services with destinations including "Vancouver" probably wasn't, in fact, being served by the TTC. Eventually we found a detour through an outdoor section covered with tarps. Hopefully the renovations have made it a little easier to navigate!
Great video. Somehow I have missed finding the "Foodie Aisle". I will have to check it out next time I am there.
Great video! Would have been great to focus more on a map and point out the locations you're showing on video. Despite all the explanation it felt hard to follow as someone not from Toronto
I am from Toronto and have been in Union Station on a few occasions and I found the video more confusing than the station itself -- and that is saying a lot. It would be a great improvement if the maps shown simply had a "you are here" dot.
I have been using the Union Station for the past five years and without the customer service reps, I would have been lost more than 100 times now.
Excellent video! I wish union station and TTC subway station can have better wayfinding
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Great summary. Thanks Reece!
Excellent overview video! I'd just add this tidbit:
The UPX station is located where the original Union station used to be, until it closed in 1927 when the current building was opened. Station Street was used as a streetcar terminal/loop and was part of a "moat" around the original station.
I'd love to see a follow up with some of the history of these underground concourses since most of my time lived in Toronto was with the yellow tile 1970s Bay concourse, meanwhile I don't even remember what the York concourse was really like.
Great video, Reese/Reece. That was a lot of information to absorb. Wow. Yes, Union is a confusing place even for a life-long Torontonian. Truly expansive. It seems that every time I'm there, I come across the skeletal remains of a long-lost tourist. Until the remains are of school children on a school trip, they will not improve the wayfinding. Oh well. Just make sure you have water and some digestive biscuits to sustain yourself until that day comes.
Obligatory "it'll always be Skydome to me"
LOL yeah for me as well
@@RMTransitSame here
I wish I had watched this last summer, would have helped a Little bit with navigating Union Station.
I checked your play list but couldn't find anything about travel between Pearson International to Union station, and how to access the diffrent transit options once there. Traveling with two young children with multiple suitcases and no info booths open (it was around 8pm) was stressful!😵💫 Having to find the elevators and then trying to find the signage again was crazy! Finally found a security guard to ask where the GO train platforms were!
Do you have a video on this?
Thanks
This is super helpful! Someone should make one of these for NY Penn Station.
Really nice tour, thank you!!
I pass through Union to get to work but never took the time to explore outside the food court and the go train area. Thanks!
I always had the impression that the portion of the Skywalk where UP Express is located was roughly the site of the previous Union Station, hence Station Street.
While I dislike Torontos transit, I must concede that the concourses at Union Station are very nice and I would like to visit the station.
Great video. Lived in Toronto in 2002 so I got familiar with Union back then. Last visited in 2019. Glad you pointed the people who stand in line for VIA trains. I just sit down in those chairs off to side. Not sure why they want to stand for 20 to 30 minutes with luggage. Odd :)
I used to commute from Pickering to Bloor and Dufferin for work, I’ve lived in the GTA all my life, and I still get lost almost every time I go through Union. One day I’ll get it 😂
Not pictured: unstable individuals.
2:10 PATH and connections.
5:30 Moat.
9:15 Food court.
😂 Still so confused even after this video and commuting to Union everyday!
This video is frustrating because I was expecting a guide to union station. You’re giving descriptions of things to people who have never been to Toronto. I still don’t understand how to get from the waterfront to the street car, or from front street to the subway. The mystery of union lives on!
I had quite the adventure trying to navigate the place for the first time after getting off the UP Express😅
I didn't realize the moat was called the moat. Fitting name as it smells like a moat in there.
Referring to all the construction, a famous celebrity once said, "I'll come back to Toronto when it's finished!" Will it ever be finished? As always, a great video. They are always very informative.
One was the late great Bob Hope performing a headline act at the CNE Grandstand in the 60's. That's right, the 60's - I know 'cause I was there with my Folks ; )
Great overview! I wish Google Maps could give directions inside the station -- I tried and it's very confusing to follow
Thanks for the video. Maybe if I watch it a dozen more times I might actually know my way around it. I still have trouble getting from the UP Express station to the food court and from food court up to the Via counters. I didn't even know anything existed there other than the food court, the UP station, the Via concourse and the grand hall.
So glad The Moat's enclosed now - selfish smokers' effluent used to waft into both the subway station & Union station. Unfortunately now the a&&hole smokers now crowd the grand front entrances. Ugh.
At least Toronto's Union Station is spacious, seemingly well-signed, and not so claustrophobic. Chicago's Union Station is an underground labyrinth. The old part of the station is absolutely beautiful and seems to have a logical layout, too bad it isn't the "real" train station anymore. The actual station is down a corridor and a block east into a poorly designed and dingy, low ceiling, and drab labyrinth of undulating half levels, twists and turns, odd walls, and dead end rooms. Chicago's Union Station doesn't even have the complexity of connecting L trains or bus station to consider. Chicago's national bus station is inexplicably isolated almost underneath a huge freeway interchange about 1/2 mile away without a direct connection to any rail transit at all, but that's another story.
Even with a great sense of direction, I was baffled by the twists and turns. Is a central corridor too difficult of a concept? A compass came in handy. Add inconsistent signage standards and you have a confusing building. You would be forgiven for thinking there were more than two levels. Unless you use it everyday, it is a headache for most people to make sense of, especially in a hurry.
Good video Reece. I'd love to see more on wheelchair accessible routes, entrances, and exits. This is not only essential for wheelchair users, but also for people with strollers and/or luggage.
The one video of the route from the CIBC tower/Microsoft headquarters to Union shows an out of service elevator. What's the alternate route? (Likely going back outside, crossing Bay, and up the other side of Bay to Front St.)
There's a good level access accessible route via elevator(s) and ramps from the subway and streetcar platforms to outside on the west side of Bay Street.
Part of the reason Union is so confusing is that it keeps changing. Trying to learn the layout of Union is much like trying to learn the destinations of the staircases in Hogwarts.
When the Go buses were on strike, the Go Train to Go Train transfer was confusing since you enter into the Via Rail platform right off getting off a Go train and had to basically walk around the perimeter of the area to get to the Go Trains platform.
union station is so confusing and thanks for the video as a Toronto fellow
The video is fantastic and appreciated greatly. However I detest you blowing up my CIBC park spot, I absolutely love that it's empty almost every time I'm there
Compared to Penn Station, it's a palace! Though Penn Station, too, is getting upgraded, thank god!
The old Penn Station was a palace. They tore it down to build Madison Square Garden.
You got a nice shot of the malfunctioning VIA departure board in the intro; was this filmed on 15 February by any chance? I was there on the 15th to board the Canadian and it was malfunctioning as your video shows -- but was working fine the previous evening when meeting my travel companion off of VIA 98/Amtrak 63...
It’s possible I was!
@@RMTransit cool! Also should note that you came up on the trip; Somewhere around Elma (Manitoba), a retired CP (or was it CN) employee I met on board and was chatting with in the Skyline car mentioned he watches your channel too...
14:05
"This confuses a lot of people"
That's just Union station in a nutshell 😂
I live in Toronto and didn't know how much stuff is in union station. I'd probably get lost - lol
Super content. 😇
Thanks!
Is Harvey’s to be found anywhere in Union station?
The next time I come up from the US, when I eat in a fast food place or any other chain restaurant o want it to be a Canadian chain.
YALL MY DAD IS IN 2:40
Hey man thanks, but this comes one year too late. I was totally lost there last fall and usually that doesn't happen, even at confusing airports.
Is the UP express upstairs restaurant still open? I thought that they closed it 2 years ago due to low traffic
I think it’s closed yes, but there is room for one!
I took GO into Union this past Sunday. I don't use public transit often, but I grew up in Toronto. I still found a few things confusing. The "tap-off", I'm never sure if I do it correctly. The signage is really bad. I just followed the mob off the train, wandered around until I recognised the VIA concourse. Got my bearings and headed out to the street. Signage is also a problem at Kipling. Trying to get from the subway to the MiWay platform there are a few places where it's not clear where you are supposed to go.
are there pictures anywhere of being able to drive in the moat ??
The video is excellent in explaining the various areas but does not clearly show how it all comes together.
I know that it is a very confusing site and you have done well although better diagrams might help.
Wow~ lots of changed something in Union Station!
I used to live in Toronto since 25 march 2003 ~ till september 2010 everything with Canadian people only.
when I go to fishing to trout pond in Central Isand always passed therer after subway.
and always missing there with my numbers of Canadian friends specially Derek & Shona...
from s, korea