Toronto Union Station Revitalization | ?m | ?s | City of Toronto | NORR
mdrejhon
Senior Member
Black background! And adjustable LED backlight.
Unless we end up with something old-fashioned like the Paris signs. But that's doubtful -- so I'd settle for a black background that's consistent with the rest of the Union signage like the signposts.
mdrejhon
Senior Member
A thread about HOV or dangerous driving in GTA is useful in a Transportion forum (new thread idea!) but sustained multi-page driving discussions doesn't belong here in the Union Station Building Revitalization. Last I read, they didn't install massive tires underneath Union Station, and a steering wheel in the Great Hall -- correct me with a link to blueprints if I am mistaken.
Back (closer) onto topic.
This morning was one of the busier trains departing from Hamilton Downtown GO. It became full with Appleby standees (or was that Bronte?).
Poor Oakvillers and Clarksoners just were all standees. Usually the standees begin to occur at either Oakville or Clarkson, but they never had a chance this time.
The PanAm congestion probably convinced a few to take GO.
8:30am Union was a super busy flow. Looking back and forward along the Union platform (one of the boonie platforms -- 24/25) it was rather dense, so it didn't seem to only affect the coach. The outflow out of Union seemed a bit more intense than usual, but the removal of Front Street construction barriers meant everyone could go into a brisk walk (after cramming through the teamway stairs).
Back (closer) onto topic.
This morning was one of the busier trains departing from Hamilton Downtown GO. It became full with Appleby standees (or was that Bronte?).
Poor Oakvillers and Clarksoners just were all standees. Usually the standees begin to occur at either Oakville or Clarkson, but they never had a chance this time.
The PanAm congestion probably convinced a few to take GO.
8:30am Union was a super busy flow. Looking back and forward along the Union platform (one of the boonie platforms -- 24/25) it was rather dense, so it didn't seem to only affect the coach. The outflow out of Union seemed a bit more intense than usual, but the removal of Front Street construction barriers meant everyone could go into a brisk walk (after cramming through the teamway stairs).
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Forgotten
Active Member
An update from my fact finding mission. I was so unsettled by the entire experience that I started questioning my place in this city—no, this world. The whole filthy episode had me smh at this universe.
I had to get liquored up.
I'm sure I must have made the day for the folks at the government operated dispensary because I have only a vague recollection of what followed, of stumbling along the MGT and regaining consciousness inside of a red canoe while weeping under the starry night sky.
They should paint this whole city black and get it over with.
This strange naked man sculpture with the odd base in the plaza definitely stuck out to me. What's the deal with that? I couldn't help but notice his elbows were too pointy.
mdrejhon
Senior Member
This is a topic that covers both UPX and station revitalization.
Since it's more station-related, I'm posting it here.
(1) York concourse video pillars are now active in York concourse.
(2) The shortcut to UPX is illustrated (quickest way to UPX from York Concourse)
(3) The UPstairs lounge is open.
The video pillar:
The "Platform 3" bus-logo shortcut to UPX from York Concourse (both stairwells and elevators).
The UPStairs lounge:
Since it's more station-related, I'm posting it here.
(1) York concourse video pillars are now active in York concourse.
(2) The shortcut to UPX is illustrated (quickest way to UPX from York Concourse)
(3) The UPstairs lounge is open.
The video pillar:
The "Platform 3" bus-logo shortcut to UPX from York Concourse (both stairwells and elevators).
The UPStairs lounge:
Attachments
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AlvinofDiaspar
Moderator
The video column is a bit clumsy/girthy, but the concept of it is neat. I'd like to see a narrower version on all the pillars (better yet if they can integrate direction signage/schedule info).
AoD
AoD
MetroMan
Senior Member
If the remaining part of the column below is wrapped in some sort of cladding, it'll fix that problem. Some elements of the renovated parts of the station don't appear to be finished yet.
AlvinofDiaspar
Moderator
I would be very, very surprised if they have any intention to do that - the display screen is revenue generating...cladding, not so much.
AoD
CDL.TO
Moderator
Can you view the USRC from he UPstairs lounge? And how much do they want for a beer?
Could be a possible railfan hangout.
Could be a possible railfan hangout.
Megaton327
Senior Member
Pretty good view. I don't remember the prices, they were a bit on the high side, but if I recall correctly not egregious. Not somewhere I'd go regularly, but definitely nice for an occasional drink and snack. Had a sandwich when I went to see it, very good.
Allandale25
Senior Member
Great pictures. For the connection between Platform 3 and the UPX station, are people allowed to use those stairs? I don't see any signs saying you can't but when I was there last time and some people tried to exit onto Platform 3 a member of the train crew stopped them and said it was only for the crew to use.
mdrejhon
Senior Member
All the pillars have a very fat brown-colored base that's similar in girth to the video pillars. So I didn't feel cramped by the video screens as I wouldn't have been able to walk closer to the pillars anyway...
mdrejhon
Senior Member
Well, nothing stopped me.
Post-revitalization Platform 3 is not a paid platform anymore. During Revitalization it's being designed as an official crowd-relief path to GO buses. You will be checked if you board a train there. But if you're transiting Platform 3 to another entrance/exit, you don't need to be paid anymore. That said, there is inconsistencies until 2017, given the VIA entrance still has the 'paid' signage.
Wayfinding, wayfinding.
All I did was to follow the bus logo in York Concourse (should be a UPX logo too).
Then follow the UPX logo that was posted at the top of the Platform 3 stairs.
If you're currently being stopped post-revitalization, then:
1. Take pictures of the wayfinding.
2. Politely educate the train crew with the smartphones pictures.
3. If they refuse, start videoing and if you get heckled, then raise a massive fuss at the GO customer relations / Union security for that idiocy. Tweet to @unionstationTO. Talk to helpful people. Come to a good resolution. Failing a resolution, threaten to go public.
They'll fix deficiencies (crew training or sign removal) before it becomes negative media publicity.
Even the lightly-used PanAm staff in front of the bus door (whenever they were nearby), helpfully directed me that thing to get to the bus station, "how do I get to the GO bus station?".
GO arrival boards taunt you with the word "bus", which you associate with the "bus" door in York concourse. Huh. You're herded to Platform 3 without having paid for access to Platform 3. Staff actually tell you to take that "bus" door. Both GO staff and PanAm staff.
I hereby, therefore, have every right to be an unpaid on Platform 3, when transiting to either UPX or buses. As official station wayfinding and very basic official PanAm wayfinding as seen by above photos. If they kicked you off Platform 3 (post-York-opening), educate them please. This was once true. But this is outdated pre-revitalization info, and I find Platform 3 a great straight-arrow shortcut to both UPX (westwards) and GO buses (eastwards)
If this is truly, truly, truly crew-only, then Union/Metrolinx/PanAm/Revitalization/Construction management royally messed up and wayfinding needs to be redesigned. But officially, this isn't the case based on available info. I believe it overrides a train crew unfamiliar with new post-revitalization rules, if you got stopped during June or July 2015.
Platform 3 is an exception that it is not a paid platform, as it doubles as the official pathway to GO bus station from York concourse (and soon elsewhere, as other concourses revitalize). You only need to pay if you actually board a Platform 3 train. Not anymore. It doubles as a crowd-relief pathway to GO buses (without needing to go through Bay concourse) as part of Union Revitalization's mandate to make the station less crowded.
So you're good!
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AlvinofDiaspar
Moderator
It's a visual issue, not a physical one. Increasing the diameter of columns tend to draw the ceiling downward, which is something best to avoid in an enclosed space such as this.
AoD
Allandale25
Senior Member
So you're good!
Thanks! I'm going to show security if stopped this message!