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Pioneer Village station

Coordinates: 43°46′37″N 79°30′34″W / 43.77694°N 79.50944°W / 43.77694; -79.50944
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Pioneer Village
General information
Location185 Northwest Gate, Toronto, Ontario
Canada
Coordinates43°46′37″N 79°30′34″W / 43.77694°N 79.50944°W / 43.77694; -79.50944
PlatformsCentre platform
Tracks2
Connections
  •  35  Jane
  •  41  Keele
  •  60  Steeles West
  •  84D  Sheppard West
  •  106  Sentinel
  •  108  Driftwood
  •  335   Jane
  •  341   Keele
  •  353   Steeles
  •  935  Jane Express
  •  960  Steeles West Express
Pioneer Village Terminal
Construction
Structure typeUnderground
Parking1,881 spaces
AccessibleYes
ArchitectSpadina Group Associates (All Design and IBI Group)
Architectural stylePostmodern architecture
Other information
WebsiteOfficial station page
History
OpenedDecember 17, 2017; 6 years ago (2017-12-17)[1]
Passengers
2023–2024[2]16,570
Rank 52 of 70
Services
Preceding station Toronto Transit Commission Following station
Highway 407
towards Vaughan
 Line 1 Yonge–University York University
towards Finch
Location
Map

Pioneer Village is a subway station on the Line 1 Yonge–University of the Toronto subway. It is located under the intersection of Northwest Gate and Steeles Avenue, at the city boundaries of Toronto and Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. A Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) bus terminal is connected to the southern portion of the station, and there is a regional bus terminal, the Pioneer Village Terminal, for connecting to York Region Transit (YRT) buses on the north side of Steeles Avenue. Pioneer Village, Highway 407 and Vaughan Metropolitan Centre stations are the first Toronto subway stations fully or partially located outside the Toronto city limits since its last amalgamation in 1998.

Station name

[edit]

The station was initially expected to be named Steeles West. This followed the previous convention of TTC stations being named after cross streets, with West appended to station names on the northern section of the western (University) branch of the line having counterparts along the eastern (Yonge) branch. In this case, there was no "Steeles" station counterpart on the eastern branch, and instead the unbuilt station was named Black Creek Pioneer Village on September 28, 2012, after the nearby heritage museum.[3] On July 24, 2013, the name was shortened to Pioneer Village.[4] In 2024, the namesake museum was renamed the Village at Black Creek.

Description

[edit]
North entrance to station

The station lies on a northwest–southeast axis, with the line approaching the station from York University station northwestward, directly under the university's main buildings. The northern portion of the station lies in the City of Vaughan in York Region and the southern portion in the City of Toronto. There are three station entrances, two being structures that are situated on both the north and south sides of Steeles Avenue. One of two south entrances (in Toronto) connects to the fare-paid TTC bus terminal.[5][6] with 12 bays.[7] The other is incorporated into the bus terminal itself and is accessed via a signalized crosswalk across the bus driveways from the university's sports facilities. The third—the north entrance in Vaughan—is adjacent to the York Region Transit bus terminal as well as an on-street passenger pick-up and drop-off area. A large commuter lot with a 1,881-vehicle capacity is situated in the hydro corridor to the north of the YRT terminal.[8] Unusually, both street entrances lead to separate mezzanine levels, despite both serving as primary points of access (although many stations have secondary automatic entrances), and it is necessary for non-subway riders transferring between TTC and YRT buses to go down to and walk the length of the platform to connect between the two bus terminals.

TTC bus terminal

The station has three levels: the entrances at street level, the two mezzanines just below them, and the train platform at the bottom. Enough space has been left between the surface and the platform to allow for the construction of an underground station for a future light rail transit line.[5]

The station was designed by a consortium of architects and engineers, Spadina Group Associates – including All Design (headed by British architect Will Alsop) and IBI Group.[9][10] Landscape design of the station was by Janet Rosenberg & Studio.[11] The station features entrance structures on the southeast and northwest sides at a street intersection. The layout makes the entrances mirror each other, giving an overall symmetrical effect. The southwest corner of the intersection also includes an oculus for a light cone above the platform. Both entrance structures have cool roofs and green roofs.[5][6] To the south of the station, there is a crossover to short turn trains.

Artwork

[edit]
Interior of south side entrance
Part of the LightSpell installation in the south mezzanine level
LightSpell at intermediate level

Artists Tim Edler and Jan Edler of Berlin-based Realities-United provided interactive artwork, titled LightSpell, consisting of a row of 40 light fixtures suspended from the ceiling over the platform. These units can display text as well as illuminate the platform.[12][13] The intent of the artists was that waiting passengers would key in text (maximum of 8 characters) using several touch screens for display on the lighting units. Other waiting passengers could change the text. However, when the Toronto–York Spadina Subway Extension (TYSSE) opened, the TTC decided not to activate this feature, despite previously agreeing to do so as shown by the installation of the commissioned piece, because of the potential for displaying offensive messages. Given that the 2009 revision of the TTC By-law No. 1 explicitly prohibits the use of such language, a question remains of how that by-law would apply to an artwork as it is not itself communicating "profane, insulting or obscene language or gestures".[14] The TTC wanted to negotiate a compromise solution with the artists, raising questions of how a compromise of this nature undermines the fundamentals of the artwork.[15][16] As of 2024, the TTC has not activated the artwork.[17] The cost of the artwork was $1.9 million.[18]

History

[edit]

On November 27, 2009, the official ground-breaking ceremony was held for the TYSSE project, which included the construction of Pioneer Village station. Tunnelling began in June 2011. The project was expected to be completed by December 2015, later revised to the fourth quarter of 2016.[19] The extension and station ultimately opened on December 17, 2017.[20]

Pioneer Village was originally planned to be a temporary terminus for the western arm of Line 1 Yonge–University, which would later be extended to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre station. However, the entire extension, with its six new stations, was completed as one project.

This station, along with the five other TYSSE stations, were the first to be opened without collectors, although booths were installed as per original station plans.[21] It was also among the first eight stations to discontinue sales of legacy TTC fare media (tokens and tickets). Presto vending machines were available at its opening to sell Presto cards and to load funds or monthly passes onto them.[22] On May 3, 2019, this station became one of the first ten stations to sell Presto tickets via Presto vending machines.[23]

In a 2024 court case, the TTC was ordered to pay an extra $57 million to Walsh Construction to compensate it for TTC design changes ordered while construction was in progress. Walsh claimed that the design changes resulted in inefficiencies and the rebuilding of completed tasks. The award included $412,000 related to the artwork, when the TTC and the artist decided a new rigging was required for aesthetic reasons. The TTC planned to appeal the ruling, conceding that it was responsible for 411 days of the delay; the judge found the TTC liable for 636 days of delay.[17]

Nearby landmarks

[edit]

The major buildings of York University's main Keele Campus lie to the southeast. Canlan Ice Sports (home of York Lions hockey) and Sobeys Stadium (home of the Canadian Open tennis) are found to the southwest, the Toronto Track and Field Centre is to the east and York Lions Stadium (home of York United FC) is to the immediate south. The station's namesake, Black Creek Pioneer Village, lies less than one kilometre (0.62 mi) to the southwest.

Surface connections

[edit]
Main article: List of Toronto Transit Commission bus routes

The following routes serve this station.[24]

Bay number Route Name Additional information
1 Spare
2 106 Sentinel Southbound to Sheppard West station
3 84D Sheppard West Eastbound to Sheppard–Yonge station
(Rush hour service)
4 60A/B/D Steeles West Eastbound to Finch station
5 960B/D Steeles West Express Eastbound to Finch station
6 108A Driftwood Southbound to Sheppard West station via Grandravine Drive
108B Southbound to Sheppard West station via Arleta Avenue
7 Wheel-Trans
8 35A Jane Southbound to Jane station
35B Southbound to Jane station via Hullmar Drive
(Rush hour service)
9 935 Jane Express Southbound to Jane station
10 60B Steeles West Westbound to Martin Grove Road
60D Westbound to Highway 27
960B Steeles West Express Westbound to Martin Grove Road
960D Westbound to Highway 27
11 41 Keele Southbound to Keele station
12 Spare
N/A 335 Jane Blue Night service; northbound to York University and southbound to Jane station
(Overnight service stops on-street and does not enter the station.)
N/A 353 Steeles Blue Night service; westbound to York University and eastbound to Staines
(Overnight service stops on-street and does not enter the station.)

After Line 6 opening

[edit]

After the opening of Line 6 Finch West, there will be one new rush hour bus route, replacing the 36D Finch West branch (proposed as of November 2023):[25]

Route Name Additional information
166 Toryork Westbound to Weston Road and Milvan Drive
(Rush hour service)

Pioneer Village Terminal

[edit]
Pioneer Village Terminal
General information
Location2800 Steeles Avenue West,
Vaughan, Ontario
Canada
Coordinates43°46′41″N 79°30′43″W / 43.77806°N 79.51194°W / 43.77806; -79.51194
Owned byRegional Municipality of York
Operated byYork Region Transit
Bus routes
  •  3  Thornhill
  •  20  Jane
  •  96  Keele–Yonge
  •  107  Keele
  •  165  Weston
Bus stands5
Connections
Construction
AccessibleYes
Other information
WebsiteOfficial station page
History
OpenedDecember 17, 2017 (2017-12-17)

A York Region Transit bus terminal[26] is located outside the station's fare-paid area on the north side of Steeles Avenue on the west side of Northwest Gate.[27][28] It lies adjacent to the commuter parking lot and has an outdoor walkway linking it with the station.

The following YRT routes serve the terminal:

Route Name Additional information
3 Thornhill Eastbound to Steeles Avenue and Don Mills Road via Promenade Terminal
20 Jane Northbound to Teston Road via Highway 407 station, Vaughan Metro Centre station, Vaughan Mills Terminal, and Major Mackenzie West Terminal
96 Keele–Yonge Northbound to Newmarket Bus Terminal via King Road
107 Keele Northbound to Teston Road
107B Northbound to Rutherford GO Station
(Weekday service)
165 Weston Northbound to Major Mackenzie West Terminal

References

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  1. ^ Beattie, Samantha; Spurr, Ben (December 16, 2017). "After delays, cost overruns, and tragedy, a subway to Vaughan is complete". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on December 17, 2017. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
  2. ^ "Subway ridership, 2023-2024" (PDF). Toronto Transit Commission. Retrieved November 12, 2024. This table shows the typical number of customer-boardings made on each subway line and the number of customers travelling to and from each station platform on a typical weekday in Sep 2023-Aug 2024.
  3. ^ Kalinowski, Tess (September 28, 2012). "TTC names new subway station for Black Creek Pioneer Village". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on September 30, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  4. ^ TTC renames new subway stop Pioneer Village station Archived December 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, Toronto Sun, July 24, 2013
  5. ^ a b c "Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension Project Steeles West Station : Approval Of Conceptual Design" (PDF). www3.ttc.ca. Toronto Transit Commission. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 27, 2017. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  6. ^ a b "Pioneer Village Station". Toronto Transit Commission. Archived from the original on November 22, 2017. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  7. ^ Moore, Oliver; Gray, Jeff (December 14, 2017). "Next stop, Vaughan: Inside the Toronto subway's big move beyond the city limits". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on December 15, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  8. ^ "Pioneer Village Station". Ttc.ca. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  9. ^ "Pioneer Village Station". aLL Design. Archived from the original on March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  10. ^ "Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension: Pioneer Village Subway Station". IBI Group. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  11. ^ Cogley, Bridget (January 5, 2018). "Will Alsop designs two colourful metro stations for Toronto's expanded subway". Dezeen. Archived from the original on September 21, 2022. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  12. ^ Dixon, Guy (September 29, 2017). "A subway station worth lingering in". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  13. ^ "TYSSE: Pioneer Village Station". UrbanToronto. Archived from the original on October 5, 2017. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  14. ^ "TTC By-law No. 1". www.ttc.ca. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  15. ^ GmbH, BauNetz Media (January 29, 2018). "Dunkelheit statt freier Meinung – Zensierte Lichtinstallation von realities:united in Toronto". baunetz.de. Archived from the original on June 25, 2018. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  16. ^ "Can the Public Be Trusted to Make Public Art?". canadianart.ca. Archived from the original on June 25, 2018. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  17. ^ a b "TTC ordered to pay $60 million over construction delays, public art display at subway station". Toronto Star. August 8, 2024.
  18. ^ Spurr, Ben (January 18, 2018). "TTC still at impasse over dormant $1.9-million art installation". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on January 19, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  19. ^ "Schedule Status Update" (PDF). Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension Project. Toronto Transit Commission. October 24, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 19, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  20. ^ Miriam Katawazi (December 17, 2017). "Toronto-York subway extension is now officially open". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on March 23, 2020. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  21. ^ "York University station – Site plan (P. 19)" (PDF). Toronto Transit Commission. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  22. ^ "New Customer Service Agents at TTC stations". Toronto Transit Commission. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  23. ^ "TTC extends sales of Presto Tickets to 10 stations". Toronto Transit Commission. May 6, 2019. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  24. ^ "TTC Service Changes Effective Sunday, December 17, 2017". Stevemnro.ca. October 25, 2017. Archived from the original on October 28, 2017. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  25. ^ "2024 Annual Service Plan" (PDF). Toronto Transit Commission. November 17, 2023. p. 115.
  26. ^ "Pioneer Village Terminal" (PDF). yrt.ca. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 1, 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  27. ^ "Spadina Subway Transit Strategy" (PDF). 2015 Annual Service Plan. York Region Transit. 2015. p. 145. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 21, 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
  28. ^ "YRT/Viva Spadina Subway Transit Strategy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 13, 2014.
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