Lower Bay Station operated for just six months as part of an ambitious TTC experiment that allowed trains to move between subway lines. But when the project led to confusion and delays, the experiment was quietly abandoned. In September 1966, the lower platform was sealed off from daily service, leaving behind empty tracks, dim tunnels, and a forgotten station frozen beneath the city.
Nearly six decades later, Lower Bay remains one of Toronto’s most mysterious hidden places. Tucked beneath the bustling platforms above, the abandoned station feels almost untouched by time. Faded signs, aging tiles, and long-silent platforms preserve an eerie snapshot of 1960s Toronto, creating the unsettling feeling that a train could arrive at any moment—even though none ever will.
Its haunting atmosphere has made Lower Bay one of the city’s most sought-after filming locations. The station has appeared in numerous film and television productions, including The Boys, where its shadowy corridors and vintage design help create an unsettling backdrop. Over the years, filmmakers have transformed the abandoned space into everything from a New York City subway station to a fictional transit system, taking advantage of its uncanny ability to feel both familiar and unsettling.
Haunted Underground
As Halloween approaches, Lower Bay takes on an even more ghostly reputation. Stories of strange echoes, unexplained sounds, and the unsettling silence of the empty platform have long fueled local fascination with the station. The abandoned platform’s dimly lit tunnels and deserted tracks only add to its eerie atmosphere. While there is no evidence that the station is haunted, standing alone beneath the city streets—surrounded by abandoned tracks and flickering tunnel lights—is enough to make even skeptical visitors feel a chill.
Although normally closed to the public, Lower Bay occasionally opens during Doors Open Toronto, giving visitors a rare chance to descend the long staircase into one of the city’s most intriguing hidden spaces. As you make your way underground, the sounds of the city quickly fade away. The journey feels less like entering a subway station and more like stepping into a forgotten chapter of Toronto’s history.
Standing on the decommissioned platform offers a glimpse into a side of Toronto few people ever see. Hidden beneath one of the city’s busiest transit hubs, Lower Bay feels worlds away from the crowds above. The abandoned station remains frozen in time, preserving a forgotten chapter of the city’s transit history. It’s a fascinating reminder that some of Toronto’s most remarkable—and eeriest—places are lurking just below the surface.
The Details
- Film and TV appearances: Lower Bay Station has appeared in numerous productions, including The Boys, The Handmaid’s Tale, Suicide Squad, and Johnny Mnemonic, along with numerous commercials, music videos, and other film and television projects
- Location: Directly beneath Bay Station in downtown Toronto
- Opened & closed to regular service: Opened: February 1966. Closed: September 1966, after the TTC ended its short-lived interlining experiment
- Historic features: Much of the platform’s mid-century design remains intact, helping preserve its distinctive 1960s character
- Public access: Lower Bay is normally closed to the public
- Special openings: The station has periodically opened during Doors Open Toronto and select TTC events, though not every year
