'A triumph for Vaughan': First subway ride from VMC in works since 1985
Dignitaries, regular citizens and those looking to mark history among first riders on maiden journey out of Vaughan Metropolitan Centre

Yorkregion.com
Jeremy Grimaldi
Dec. 17, 2017

 

Politicians had the spotlight during the first ever subway ride from and into the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, but it was the citizens and their unfettered enthusiasm who are the real champions of the project.

That was the sentiment from many riders who woke up early morning on Sunday, Dec. 17 to embark on the maiden Vaughan subway ride, passing through the gates for free along with countless others for the journey.

The new stations include Downsview Park, Finch West York University, Pioneer Violage Highway 407 and the VMC.

Greg Riccio Jr. said he will save two hours a day by avoiding two separate 30 minute trips to Yorkdale each weekday to drop his wife off at the subway so she can get to her workplace in downtown Toronto's University courthouse.

"In many ways this is a triumph for Vaughan," said Riccio Jr., who explained he also had two teenage girls, 16 and 19, who will be able to take the subway to university and into the city for entertainment. "It's a blessing for us really. We're excited to finally say that our taxes are going to something for the good of the people, of all people here."

Toronto’s Victoria Kolomiiets was on the first subway ride to the VMC on her way to work at Vaughan's Monte Carlo Inns.

"My trip has been cut from (90 minutes) to 30 minutes," she said with a smile, explaining that rather than wake up at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17 morning she got out of bed at 7 a.m.

Others were just excited to be on a subway after years of in-fighting, cost and timing delays since the idea of extending the Spadina subway up to Vaughan was first floated in a TTC report in 1985.

By January 2016 the cost of the subway had rose to $3.2 billion plus millions in failed reports, plans and projections that have been ongoing since Bob Rae threatened to take over the TTC if Metro council didn't approve the extension to York University.

Woodbridge’s Albert Spence, 71, was excited because he will now be able to visit his doctor at Bathurst and Bloor more easily.   Spence’s son Junior plans to take his daughter, 16, to her soccer matches on the subway.

Raj Thambiaiah and Janam Sivarajah wanted to make the ride a special event by bringing their four-month-old daughter Aarthy along for the inaugural ride.

Lou Ceccarelli and Nelo Cappadocia planned to go out for breakfast downtown while the McBean family just "wanted to be part of history" by taking the first ride, which is projected to take 42 minutes to Union Station.

The crowds will certainly be packing the subway on Monday, Dec. 18 as two parking lots – one with 200 spaces and the other with 700 have been opened near the subway.

The cost to park in the lots on weekdays will vary.

Those parking before 8 a.m. and arriving after 4:30 p.m. will pay $5 while those who arrive and park between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. will pay $12. The fee is for a 24-hour period say SmartCentres. Weekend use of the lots will cost drivers a flat fee of $5.