Commuters waiting for Viva buses along York Region's rapidway corridors will have to bundle up: station heaters have been shut down over a safety concern.
The heaters at rapidway vivastations were turned off effective immediately, according to YRT, after a safety issue was discovered with the equipment. No timeline has been given for when they will be back in service.
Two stations keep their heat
The shutdown applies to all affected rapidway vivastations "until further notice," YRT said in a service notice, with one exception: the vivastations at Highway 7 and Leslie Street will keep their heaters running.
The agency said the decision to switch the units off was made to ensure customer safety.
Working with Metrolinx on replacements
YRT and Metrolinx are working together to find replacement options and restore the heaters as quickly as possible, according to the notice.
The transit agency apologized for the inconvenience and thanked riders for their patience.
What it means for riders
The outage lands just as colder weather settles over the Greater Toronto Area, meaning riders transferring or waiting at uncovered rapidway platforms along corridors such as Highway 7 will face the elements while the equipment is replaced.
No alternate arrangements, such as temporary shelters or heated waiting areas, were announced. Riders who rely on the Highway 7 and Leslie Street vivastations are the only ones guaranteed heated waiting areas for now.
