Metrolinx has made the decision to close all elevators at Danforth GO station, located south of Danforth Avenue and just east of Main Street, for a duration of three months to undertake "major repairs and upgrades." This closure, effective from September 8, is raising significant accessibility concerns among riders and advocates.
According to notices displayed at the station and online, the condition of the elevators has necessitated this work, with the elevators expected to return to service by late November. Riders wishing to access platform one, which is the northern platform, will still be able to use a lengthy ramp that connects to Main Street. However, platforms two and three, positioned between two sets of tracks, will only be accessible via a large flight of stairs, posing challenges for individuals with mobility issues.
For those coming to Danforth station from the areas south of the rail corridor, the entrance near Ted Reeve Arena—next to the East Toronto Athletic Field—will only provide stairs for access. While there will still be an underground tunnel connecting the two platforms and the southern entryway, passengers will be required to cross the rail corridor via the Main Street bridge if they wish to use accessible routes.
Given that no secondary elevators are in place as alternatives, Metrolinx has directed individuals in need of accessible features to Scarborough GO station, which is situated one station east of Danforth, during the construction period. This response has spurred frustration among the commuting public, particularly those who frequently use the Danforth station. One rider expressed their personal concerns, highlighting how the station will become unserviceable for their pregnant wife and young daughter, especially during solo commutes.
The accessibility issues at Danforth GO station are not isolated. Earlier reports cited congestion and other accessibility difficulties faced by commuters. During a mid-day testing period on Thursday, when trains were running every 30 minutes, CityNews recorded a journey diversion from Danforth to Scarborough which took approximately 25 minutes. This involved a five-minute train ride followed by a fifteen-minute transfer involving elevators and tunnels at Scarborough station.
David Lepofsky, chair of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee, expressed outrage at the impact of the closure. He emphasized that the situation is unacceptable in 2026, stating, “You’re being told no elevator. Well, for the platforms for which you need an elevator, you can’t use the station at all.” His criticism centered around the long-standing knowledge of the necessity for accessibility in transit design, suggesting that Metrolinx needs to establish better accessible redundancy at its GO Transit stations.
Lepofsky further questioned the rationale behind the complete elevator closure and the lack of timely solutions, asking why there isn't a backup system in place. In response to inquiries about the construction and accessibility alternatives, Metrolinx issued a statement explaining that the work on all three elevators is being conducted simultaneously to ensure a reduced overall disruption and to expedite the return of service to the elevators. They stated, “Taking [the center platform elevator] out of service would make those platforms inaccessible to customers.” Metrolinx expressed gratitude for community patience as they undertake this critical state-of-good-repair work.
