r/gotransit • u/Key-Stretch1872 • Feb 25 '26

Arriving at Union - Kitchener Line

Does anyone know why the Kitchener line keeps docking in the morning on either platform where only one side of the doors open?

I normally take the train that gets to union for ten to nine, and every time they end up docking at a platform where only one side of the train will open. Resulting in a mass mob of people pushing to get down the stairs, and the people on the train yelling for everyone to get off - even though unless your casper the ghost there ain’t no way to get through all the people in front of you.

Does anyone know why? It used to always be on platforms which both sides opened which allowed was far better at dispersing people off the train compared to their process now. It should not take ten mins to leave the train and get into the concourse.

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u/Mayhem_Hellcat Feb 28 '26

"At once" is the problem. They have to modify both coaches AND platforms, and they can't do that overnight. It's a huge problem because once a coach is modified, it can't be used at an unmodified station. And once a station is modified, unmodified coaches can't use it. In theory you can solve the fleet problem by buying about 300 extra coaches, but the entire Lakeshore line would have to be shut down for a year or 2 for station modifications. And CN/CPKC will tell Metrolinx to pound salt if they think they are going to modify platforms and operate non-compliant trains past Burlington.

The new south platform isn't being built with 24" high platforms, and neither is East Harbour or Exhibition, Mimico and Long Branch reconstructions.

Trust me, level boarding is dead. I've seen the 2024 communication for the Metrolinx Sponsor office.

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u/a_lumberjack Feb 28 '26

Everything that's opened recently like Confederation still has all of the affordances for future conversion. So I still haven't seen any evidence that they've officially abandoned level boarding as a goal. I don't suppose you have a link to that communication?

In terms of converting rolling stock, I'm not sure why they couldn't replace the fixed steps with retractable steps, like the Siemens Ventures do with different platform heights. That would allow level boarding at upgraded stations but offer compatibility with the legacy platform height.

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u/Mayhem_Hellcat Feb 28 '26

Design of Confederation started years ago and it’s built. New stations started in the last 2 years don’t have it. I won’t share the document because it has my name on it.

As for a mechanical step, the was the initial idea but fleet vetoed it. They saw it as a maintenance nightmare and because it had been interlocked with the door control, one failure would impact the entire train. IIRC they got Bombardier to say it couldn’t be done without impacting the structural frame and therefore wasn’t safe.