TTC subway riders trying to get from the city’s east end to downtown had to rely on shuttle buses after a portion of Line 2 was down due to an oil-like substance on the subway tracks. Toronto Fire crews were called to Castle Frank Station around 6:40 a.m. on Thursday for an oil spill but deemed that wasn’t the case. A TTC spokesperson wrote on X that the fluid results from “intentionally applied lubricant” used to “keep track joints flexible” that made its way onto the top of the track. Subway service was shut down between St. George and Broadview stations for the cleanup but service resumed just after 8 a.m. No injuries were reported.

The TTC explained that the oil-like substance was a type of mechanical lubricant that is intentionally applied to track joints to keep them flexible. However, the lubricant had somehow made its way onto the top of the tracks, prompting the TTC to shut down service as a precaution.

Investigating the Cause

The TTC is investigating how the lubricant ended up on the tracks. It's possible that a mechanical failure or a human error could have led to the spill. The agency said they are cleaning the tracks out of “an abundance of caution” and investigating how the oil is making its way to the top of the track.

Previous Spills

A spill of hydraulic fluid from a maintenance vehicle similarly closed the same stretch of Line 2 back in May, causing a morning of commuter chaos for thousands of customers. In that instance, it took several hours for the spill to be cleaned up. At the time, TTC leadership said the agency was launching a review of the root causes behind the service outage, noting there had been seven such spills in 2024 alone.

Impact on Riders

The service shutdown caused significant inconvenience for commuters. Many riders had to rely on shuttle buses or streetcars to get to their destinations. The TTC ran 65 shuttle buses to replace the suspended subway service, and riders were also suggested to use the 504 and 505 streetcars as a travel alternative.

Service Resumes

Regular TTC subway service has resumed on Line 2 after an earlier closure between St. George and Broadview stations caused by a lubricant that compromised safety on the tracks. All trains started running again shortly after 8 a.m. after an outage that lasted more than 90 minutes. The TTC said they are cleaning the tracks out of “an abundance of caution” and investigating how the oil is making its way to the top of the track.

A Familiar Issue

This is not the first time that the TTC has had to deal with a spill on its tracks. In May, a spill of hydraulic fluid from a maintenance vehicle closed the same stretch of Line 2. The TTC said that it was launching a review of the root causes behind the service outage, noting that there had been seven such spills in 2024 alone.

Learning From the Incident

The TTC is taking this incident seriously and is committed to preventing future spills. The agency is investigating the cause of the spill and will take steps to ensure that it doesn't happen again.

The latest incident highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and reliability of the TTC's subway system. The TTC's investigation into the cause of the oil-like substance found on the tracks will be crucial in preventing similar incidents in the future. The agency's commitment to learning from this incident and taking appropriate measures to prevent future spills will be vital to maintaining public trust in the TTC and ensuring that riders can rely on a safe and efficient transit system.