subway toronto

TTC to roll out Automatic Train Control later this year

There's a big subway closure this weekend in Toronto, which will shut down a huge part of Line 1, between St. George and Sheppard West (the station formerly known as Downsview).

Why is a key part of the transit shut down? To bring in Automatic Train Control.

The TTC is re-signaling the line, which will enable more trains to run at the same time. As the Globe and Mail reports, the goal is to have 32 trains speeding along at once - there are currently 25.

With Automatic Train Control, "Train speed and separation between trains will now be controlled automatically rather than being human controlled," explains the TTC. According to the Globe, there will still be staff on board to ensure everything's running smoothly.

The Globe says the system will start to be rolled out this fall, but it won't all be complete until 2019.

And remember, if you're trying to get anywhere this weekend, the DVP and the Gardiner are also closed on Sunday!

Correction: The original title of this post has been changed to reflect the fact that TTC subway trains will not be driverless once Automatic Train Control is implemented. Staff will still have the ability to manually override the controls.

Lead photo by

Ben Roffelsen Photography


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Toronto's most cursed intersection was just torn up yet again

Video shows man in Toronto brazenly smashing stranger's bike in fit of rage

Canadian-born family shares why they're moving to Malaysia

Dollarama put on blast after Ontario shopper says she was hassled for paying with coins

5 places to find cherry blossoms in Toronto beyond High Park

Toronto installs sign in High Park warning people to behave around cherry blossoms

Ontario reverses changes to Toronto's UP Express after outpouring of complaints

Neurotoxic carnivorous worms have invaded Ontario and could harm your pets