Image of Go Train and Railroad tracks in a stationary position at Union Station

Union Station rail corridor (USRC)

USRC is Canada's busiest rail hub, connecting communities and powering the movement of millions across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

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Union Station Rail Corridor (USRC)

Canada's Busiest Rail Hub in focus

Image of Union Station Rail Corridor from the right side of the tracks looking at a building

Union Station is the largest and busiest rail passenger facility in Canada, functioning as a transportation hub for passenger, commuter and occasionally freight trains. Union Station currently handles almost 70 million passengers a year. Daily ridership is approaching 206,000 with peak period arrivals at Union Station close to 187,000. VIA Rail and Amtrak are also expecting increased usage of the station.

Union Station is the largest and busiest rail passenger facility in Canada, functioning as a transportation hub for passenger, commuter and occasionally freight trains. Union Station currently handles almost 70 million passengers a year. Daily ridership is approaching 206,000 with peak period arrivals at Union Station close to 187,000. VIA Rail and Amtrak are also expecting increased usage of the station.

Image of Union Station Rail Corridor from the right side of the tracks looking at a building

Union Station and the adjacent Rail Corridor is known as the Union Station Rail Corridor (USRC). The USRC is some 6.4 km long and consists of a complex network of approach tracks, passenger platforms and four interlocking's at Cherry Street, Scott Street, John Street and Bathurst Street. It has 14 station tracks with platform access, and more than 180 signals, 250 switch machines, 40 km of circulated track and all associated infrastructure.

Image of the front of Union Station from the street with colourful banners hanging up
Go Train stationary under a overpass walkway

Within the USRC, TTR directed USRC rail operations up until 2024 using Train Movement Directors (TMDs) located at the three control offices, in the John, Scott and Cherry Street towers, and maintains the facility with a force of maintainers located throughout the territory. Towers are staffed 24 hours/day-365 days/year. The TMDs coordinate all train movement by voice communication and for movements through John, Scott and Cherry, operate a vintage electro mechanical signal system (built in the 1930's) by manually manipulating levers to line switches, set signals and clear routes. Track protection is achieved by physically placing "cans" over the levers to prevent their use during maintenance activities. Currently, the Towers are operated by Metrolinx Rail Traffic Controllers.

Within the USRC, TTR directed USRC rail operations up until 2024 using Train Movement Directors (TMDs) located at the three control offices, in the John, Scott and Cherry Street towers, and maintains the facility with a force of maintainers located throughout the territory. Towers are staffed 24 hours/day-365 days/year. The TMDs coordinate all train movement by voice communication and for movements through John, Scott and Cherry, operate a vintage electro mechanical signal system (built in the 1930's) by manually manipulating levers to line switches, set signals and clear routes. Track protection is achieved by physically placing "cans" over the levers to prevent their use during maintenance activities. Currently, the Towers are operated by Metrolinx Rail Traffic Controllers.

Go Train stationary under a overpass walkway

Work continues to ensure the station and railway are prepared to receive the next generation of passengers. Currently the USRC has undergone an upgrade to signals and track, a new roof and glass atrium over the passenger platforms, new staircases and access points as well as a completely new underground shopping concourse within the main building below the tracks.

Image of TTR worker working on a panel
An image of multiple railway tracks and switches

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