GO Transit and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) were cleaning up and restoring service following severe rains July 8 that caused flash flooding and power outages throughout the Toronto region. The storm dropped almost four inches of rain in the city—more than the monthly average for July.

The flash flooding stopped a GO Transit commuter train carrying approximately 1,400 passengers.

Mark Ostler, media relations and issues specialist for Metrolinx, which operates GO Transit, said Toronto Police Services—specifically, its marine unit—rescued the passengers, none of whom sustained injuries. The agency’s transit safety officers assisted with the successful evacuation of everyone aboard, a process that took several hours.

During the storm and its aftermath, GO Transit mobilized buses to transport ­passengers, particularly in areas where rail service was impaired.

In a statement, Bruce McCuaig, Metrolinx president and chief executive officer, said: “The record-breaking amount of rainfall caused serious power outages and flooding throughout the region. Passengers were stranded on a train due to quickly rising water levels. I appreciate how patient and understanding customers were in spite of their ordeal and am very pleased to report that there were no reports of injuries.”

According to McCuaig, GO Transit resumed service on all seven of its rail lines and bus routes throughout the system as crews repaired flood damage.

TTC has stopped subway service to the last four stations of one line because of continued flooding at the terminal station, Kipling.

“Right now we have to turn trains back four stations from the end of the line. We are running 75 shuttle buses to bridge the gap left by the lack of subway service,” said Brad Ross, executive director of corporate communications.

Photo courtesy of Brad Ross, TTC Water covers TTC track after a massive storm struck Toronto.

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