For the second time in less than a week, a hydraulic oil spill has forced the Toronto Transit Commission to shut down a significant portion of Line 2, disrupting morning commutes and prompting a public apology from the agency's chief executive. The latest incident occurred early Friday morning between Ossington and Woodbine stations, marking another setback for the city's transit system.
Service Halted Amid Fluid Leak Investigation
According to TTC officials, the spill forced the complete closure of service between Ossington and Woodbine stations during the critical morning rush period. Shuttle buses were immediately deployed to transport passengers along the affected 16-station stretch, though riders were warned to expect significant delays and crowding throughout the disruption.
A TTC spokesperson confirmed that trains were turning back at both Ossington and Woodbine stations while maintenance crews worked to locate the exact source of the fluid leak. The affected area reportedly stretched from approximately Greenwood Station west to St. George Station, covering a distance of about six kilometers along the Bloor-Danforth line.
CEO Issues Public Apology and Announces Immediate Actions
TTC CEO Mandeep Lali addressed the incident directly through social media, stating that "multiple response teams were mobilized to inspect and clean the affected area" with full service eventually resuming safely at approximately 7:20 a.m.
"For the second time this week, a work car operating during overnight maintenance on Line 2 experienced a hydraulic fluid leak, disrupting the start of subway service," Lali declared in his statement. "This is unacceptable. The TTC must provide safe, reliable service from the beginning of every day, and this week we did not meet that standard. I apologize to our customers and take full accountability."
Second Incident in Less Than Seven Days
Friday's service disruption comes just days after another oil spill-related incident on the same subway line. On Tuesday, a separate overnight fuel spill at Old Mill Station disrupted service for several hours while crews cleaned both track and platform areas.
The back-to-back incidents have raised serious questions about maintenance procedures and equipment reliability within the transit system. Both spills occurred during overnight maintenance operations, suggesting potential systemic issues with work vehicles used during non-service hours.
Immediate Fleet Suspension and Comprehensive Review Ordered
In response to the repeated incidents, Lali announced immediate and decisive action. "Effective immediately, I have directed the suspension of the work car fleet, except in exceptional circumstances, pending a full review," he stated.
The CEO explained that the forthcoming review would examine both incidents in detail, determine root causes, and include inspections across the entire fleet. "Any affected vehicles will remain out of service until we are confident they are safe and reliable to operate," Lali emphasized, adding that "our focus is clear: prevent a recurrence."
Regular service eventually resumed along Line 2, with the TTC Service Alerts account confirming via social media that normal operations had been restored between Ossington and Woodbine stations. However, the consecutive disruptions have undoubtedly shaken passenger confidence in the reliability of Toronto's subway system during peak travel times.
