Toronto’s Subway Was Canada’s First Rapid Transit System

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When the Toronto subway opened in 1954, it changed the way the city moved forever.

Built during a post-war boom, the original Yonge line connected Union Station to Eglinton, making Toronto the first Canadian city with a rapid-transit system. Over the decades, the network expanded to mirror Toronto’s growth — from suburban sprawl to bustling downtown life. The subway became more than transportation; it was a symbol of progress, connecting communities and shaping how Torontonians live, work, and explore their city.

1954

Toronto gets a subway

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