Finding Bessarion

In this short documentary, TTC Enthusiast and Urban Explorer Jeremy Woodcock travels to Bessarion Station, the least used Subway Station on the Toronto Transit Map, to find out if it really does exist and why it would be built in the first place.

[@kennedyschurch3885]

Fun fact: bessarion is no longer the least used subway station, there’s a new one called Downsview Park with only 2520 passengers

[@ryanharkness284]

I can’t believe that this video is approaching it’s 10th anniversary. For the past 10 years, whenever I see Bessarion station on a map or in person, I think about this video and it puts a smile on my face. Thank you so much Jeremy 🙏

[@RememberLuke]

Thank you so much for this video. It inspired me. I travelled there with my girlfriend earlier today on a date, just to see it. We also discovered that there is an Ikea nearby. Still, Bessarion station is a great destination in itself!

[@luketeeninga7106]

Exactly one year later, we got married. The magic of Bessarion station!

[@JohnGape]

+Luke Teeninga Congrats! There is for sure enough room at Bessarion to hold your reception!

[@felisd]

Leslie station is actually closer to the Ikea, and there's a shuttle from Leslie supplied by Ikea.

[@luketeeninga7106]

But that would ruin the fun.

[@luketeeninga7106]

@@tim14982 Thanks?

[@UnicornInVorkuta]

Came back to this video after 9 years, it's still a great watch. Bessarion is definitely busier now than when I wrote my last comment, and maybe a little dirtier, but that's just from all of the foot traffic due to more condos being built on the south side of Sheppard now. I love this station. I still use it a few times a week.

[@gkeeble]

that green dot (at 3:28) indicates where the rear subway operator should be when docked in the station. its so the operators can know if theyve stopped in the correct location. theres also a red dot where the front operator should be and an orange dot for the centre of the train.

[@thefringthing]

"Just a random highway." Good, subtle joke.

[@erichau728]

Bessarion was built for Concord Park Place (Those new condos you see behind Canadian Tire). Probably in a decade or so when people move in and all twenty-so condos are complete that the station will start getting busy.

[@DaniSarfati]

Thanks for filming the station I live near! I think the reason they keep the station so clean is because they need a station to do photo shoots for their advertisements. They've done a few ads recently featuring Bessarion, there's one with the TTC fare constable, the coffee cup "I don't belong here" and Bessarion was featured on one of the MetroPasses earlier this year!

[@Skyfoogle]

i physically recoiled when you called the 401 some random highway

[@winchemrys]

I get off at Bessarion everyday from school since I live right down Burbank and hearing him compliment the station made me smile.

[@Alientank]

I used to work for the TTC from 2010-2015 maintaining all the fire life safety equipment and lived near Don Mills station. It truly is a dead station but I always enjoyed how quiet and isolated it was.

[@brandonrobertson9468]

10 years later and i still wish i brought that particular girl out to bessarion for a date. I still think of this video every time i pass by the station, Thank you so much for the videos back in the day, They still make a difference 10 years on.

[@wartax5]

Bessarion - it's no Chester.

[@stmontrealrbx9841]

Chester is the 9th busiest station

[@wartax5]

STMontreal RBX TTC Chester subway station on the Bloor/Danforth line? Chester (6,790 passengers per day) has the second LOWEST ridership next to Old Mill (6,130). I think your wires are crossed as overall, Chester has the 9th lowest ridership, not the 9th highest (which would be College at 54,180).

[@stmontrealrbx9841]

wartax5 Well sorry for mistakes..

[@gabriellisi7349]

STMontreal RBX Really?! How I thought Chester would be the quietest one on the green line, there are no bus connection to it and it's named after a one way side street, it's not something I'd see as a candidate for the 9th busiest station

[@WindowKittyYT]

@@gabriellisi7349 Read wartax's comment replying to the guy.

[@ChrisDecrease]

This was just the best thing I've seen all day!

[@vlziegler]

"Don't be afraid to journey, my friends ..." Your journey to The Bessarion is sheer poetry, John. Thank you for this.

[@connorrobertson7257]

My old doctor's office was about 100 steps from Bessarion Station. It's funny to see some random guy from Etobicoke go all the way to North York to check out a lame subway station.

[@chasef89]

For me, the Sheppard line is a preemptive development for the city. Everyone says that downtown needs another line, or Eglinton even, but it would be a massive inconvenience to rip apart those streets for years. The north will inevitably need to be connected, so it's good that they started before their is too much there. The line has already lead to a lot of condo development, which is good because downtown is getting crowded.

[@JamesYale1977]

The Eglington crosstown was supposed to be finished 6 years ago... They don't even know where they're going to be finished... good times.

[@JohnGape]

Besides there being 4 newspapers available, 3 of them free, the picturesque North Bessarion entrance features a Coffee Time, M & M Meat Shop, and an oversized air grate.

[@JohnGape]

Glad you enjoyed it Toban - Thanks for sharing it on your blog!

[@TheMeaning0fLife]

Kipling Station is actually really nice. I took a journey out there a month ago and I have to say I enjoyed it. The station was certainly no Bessarion, but outside was more pleasant on the eyes than I was expecting.

[@leppavu]

My understanding (local resident here) is that Willowdale was more just an emergency relief staircase. It's a relatively 'long' way between Yonge/Sheppard and Baview. There was some buzz about a station before they built the whole thing, but it was considered even lower priority than Bessarion.

[@mazokuchan]

I think I saw your video back in 2016, a day (or just a few days shy of) after coming back from Toronto and I regretted not visiting Bessarion station while I was there XD

[@Yourockrock24]

Fantastic!! That just made my day. I've only ever gone as far as Sheppard because my grandmother lives there. I assumed that was the only stop on the purple line but you've opened my eyes to a whole new world to the East!

[@funvideofan1625]

It’s so red….. it’s so red………………… it’s BEAUTIFUL!

[@CipherFiveZero]

Watching this again after the Sheppard line got new rolling stock in which it now uses the Toronto Rocket trains used on Line 1 Yonge-University, I believe the reason for this is because Line 1 is in the process of being upgraded to Automatic Train Control to help relieve congestion on the Yonge segment of Line 1 and the fact that the Sheppard line trains are stored at the Davisville Yard in which the T1 trains aren't compatible with ATC tech.

[@edwardbliss8931]

I was actually one of the very few that actually had to go to Bessarion with a purpose. One of the houses outside the station on Sheppard did tailoring

[@wilfdinnick]

This is AMAZING! I love that indie producer makers are creating more interesting, smarter content than so many of the big networks.

[@JohnGape]

Our Pleasure! Thank you for giving the video the 6 and a half minutes of attention!

[@saidsalim471]

The green circle in the video that is placed on the wall at the platform isn't purely aesthetic; train operators use this as a way to guide the train to stopping in just the right spot, so that all the doors on the cars are inside the station at the platform, and not anywhere in the tunnels.

[@glenbabarnicals]

Can you please do a a whole series on the little things that intrigue and fascinate Jeremy Woodcock. What a great little doc. Thank you!

[@ThinKFasT03]

Knowing that only 180 fares are paid daily at that stations with me being one of them, I feel the station was meant for me. Bessarion Station. There used to be a gateway convenience store in the station, didn't last more than a couple weeks.

[@Jicinska10]

Loved this, even used it yesterday to teach an English lesson here in Prague. Great stuff.

[@DredWolfster]

The Sheppard subway was going to look even fancier. The original plans from the early-mid 1990s called for the T-1 trains to be ATO as in driverless with platform edge doors. Downsview was completed before the Harris cutbacks and reflects all of the extravagance of that which was meant for 1990s Metro Toronto subway expansion. Harris promised that the Sheppard subway would be a "no frills" subway, and it even nearly did not get built, as Metro struggled to meet the escalating costs and funding shortfalls. The massive failure of Bob Rae's Rapid Transit Expansion program with the termination of the Eglinton West subway project and major cuts to the Sheppard subway is the big reason why David Miller decided to push for light rail, because from the early 1980s to the 2000s we were struggling to build subways that we didn't need with money we did not and still do not have. Sheppard is a fairly wide corridor and all it really needs is an LRT (especially if there are only 185 fares collected at Bessarion! XD ).

[@Neville60001]

The LRT would have to be two lines: 1. An eastern line going from Don Mills station (the terminus) all the way to Morningside & Sheppard 2. A western line going all the way from Sheppard Station (the terminus) to (possibily) the airport. Of course, the LRT couldn't possibily run underground from Sheppard to Don Mills, because there would be no way to convert the station to handle LRT's instead of subway trains, and they can't run on the surface from Don Mills to Sheppard because a subway already rides there.

[@heybishop]

I love this so much! Such a great love letter.

[@JohnGape]

Thanks Justin! We can only hope that when tourists come visit Toronto, they'll spend their entire trip just riding the subway.

[@Lilithe]

The train goes right past him at the end. *chef's kiss*

[@JustinFriesen]

From one documentary filmmaker to the next, I want congratulate you on this really unique short film. I think it was really neat! And it gives insight about Toronto to non-Torontonians as well I think. Keep up the good work!

[@BobbieBees]

I was in Toronto last June to see what was left of the Canadian Forces base I grew up on as a teen. I wanted to ride this line, but I forgot to. Oh well, next time I'm in T.O. I'll have to search for Bessarion station myself.

[@CRMSIN]

i have booked a trip to bessarion in july! i am very excited to discover my own personal purple line!

[@jedmeltzer2817]

My girlfriend and I also stopped at Bessarion once just to see it, on the way home from Ikea. The one interesting thing we found nearby is a convenience store across the street that is fully stocked with South African food products. Catering to the South African expat community I guess. We got some yummy rusks; they're great with tea.

[@leppavu]

+Jed Meltzer There used to be a convenience store in the plaza directly next to there (where Taro Fish now is) called Baxster's, that was run by two South African brothers. It was they who brought the little South African influx to the strip. It eventually closed, and I think that other convenience store stalks stuff now because occasionally people ask after it. The Burger Hut a couple doors down used to offer South African sausages as well, when it was owned by a Greek family. Actually had quite excellent burgers too, fresh and generously proportioned and topped. It's become very plain and forgettable since it got new owners...

[@yokes]

The sarcasm and satire in this is great. Well done.

[@kearamacneil2988]

This truly brought me joy. Thank you for your in depth investigation!

[@AirFire18]

Amazing! I love this so much! I'll be sure to visit this station lool

[@JohnGape]

You're the second person to mention Taro's Fish. We might have to plan a return trip to Bessarion.

[@rabbitvidddies]

We visited Bessarion when the Sheppard line first opened, but I'd say that you have discovered it, laid open its hidden secrets. The shot at the entrance flanked by trees was nice so give the exterior credit for that feature

[@JohnGape]

I'm glad you broke your silence to say this. Thank you so much Jackie! Take lots of pictures on your visit.

[@rohitoupadhyay]

Pretty cool Mr. Gape. Your video travels far and wide - I watched on recommendation of someone in Tokyo....ofcourse we both lived in Toronto earlier. It was kind of like filling a negative space - in my 7 years I never noticed that subway station. Pretty cool stuff.

[@EPIK_yt]

Bessarion is one of my favourite stations! This was a great video I also really like Baview station

[@SollaSollewDreamer]

This is adorable. Definitely filing that "date to Bessarion St." idea away for future silly and fun date ideas.

[@JohnGape]

He looked so lonely when we went through there. I'm glad you're there to help break up his day.

[@bohemavision]

I have been to Bessarion, and this is amazing! Thank you.

[@carmeloanthony311]

Stations like Bessarion make me wish that the Sheppard Subway should be extended

[@martingr0ve64]

I Understand what you mean, with that money they put to make Bessarion Station They've could've made a more useful station for the Purple Line

[@agentj]

+Orange Yoshi Bessarion station costed $48 million adjusted for inflation in 2017. Such a waste. Not to mention an extra stop which no one uses that delays getting to and from Don Mills

[@Neville60001]

Carmelo Anthony: No, it's a waste of money, and should *_NEVER_* have been built (we're not New York, Paris, London, Moscow, Tokyo, Mexico City, or Seoul-all of them big urbanly dense cities that can justify having a million gazillion subway lines like this one.) This should have been light rail, and it _could_ still be (an eastern line with the terminus at Don Mills station and a western line with the terminus at Sheppard station.)

[@gabriellisi7349]

I definitely think that the purple line should be extended to either STC or Pacific mall

[@Neville60001]

It won't work, and there's no demand for it; also, the area it would go through probably isn't dense enough, and probably would just create more stations like Bessarion that don't earn enough but cost the TTC a lot to run.

[@joyyu7753]

everyday I passed by that station to my high school, and I saw that kid, very random, but it was a great passage to Ikea ! this makes me miss Toronto!!

[@thrillhouse_vanhouten]

This was fun to watch. Thank you for taking the time to make this.

[@siLvsmiLes]

Bessarion is amazing! It gives you the downhill walk towards Starbucks, Canadian Tire, McD's and the offices right across from there (including my orthodontist! I frequently choose to get off at Bessarion instead of Leslie for the walk). It's also a nice stop for everybody living around that area (lots and lots of houses down the road).

[@liasdruchok]

I LOVE THIS VIDEO!! Now i want to find my own Bessarion.

[@CreamOrEcru]

I've never been to "The Bessarion" as you now call it, but now I really want to... what a hidden gem

[@rachelsa1622]

This delightful lil' film just put the biggest smile on my face :)

[@Asiansploitation]

Charming doco! One time I was riding my bike along Sheppard and got tired near Bessarion station - that day, I contributed to the 180 Bessarion fares. ~AJL

[@CipherFiveZero]

This makes me wanna ride the Sheppard Subway someday, maybe if I want to check out Fairview Mall or visit my oldest brother who lives near Don Mills Station.

[@Neville60001]

Doing those two things are the *_ONLY_* good reasons to travel on the Sheppard line (and they're similar to mine: I used to live at Van Horne & Edmonton in Willowdale, and the only good thing about the wasteful Sheppard STUBway is I can now take the subway from King or Union all the way to Sheppard-Yonge, catch the subway to Don Mills station, and then take the Huntingwood 169 bus from Don Mills station all the (short) way to Van Horn & Edmonton to check out (and take pictures of) the house where I used to live at the corner of Van Horne & Edmonton.

[@Pulkit__7]

Wow, you have some really good talent. You must be doing really well in life, with your talents!!

[@JohnGape]

That's interesting - I'll have to check it out. I'm picturing a giant crater in the ground and hope I'm not wrong.

[@newnanna]

TTC for your interest the only reason 180 fares are paid daily, is because at the north end of the station, you just step around the end of the station to get on the platform. Perhaps a Gate might be in order :)

[@Neville60001]

Catherine, don't give the TTC any ideas; let people have their free entrance.

[@leppavu]

Bessarion resident here. ;) Hope you enjoyed my station. I am just off of Bessarion station, that's reason enough to come here.

[@savethepopsicles]

You guys are awesome. I'm so excited for this channel!

[@darrylsilver65]

loved it! bravo! 1) for the content 2) the editing 3) I now want to go to Bessarion--I grew up around the corner

[@leef.7689]

I miss when we all called it 'the purple line' or 'the green line' or 'the yellow line'. Line 1, 2, 3, and 4 mean nothing to me.

[@vincec.2140]

Beautiful and inspirational ending 💕

[@harrisoncurtis204]

Nicely done, I cant think of any reason I would ever find myself at Bessarion station, like many other places in the city, which makes it all the more fun to see... Its so red!

[@jackiee6487]

I'm not the type to comment on a youtube video but I wanted to say well done. For some reason I adored this and now want to go.

[@alankingchiu]

It only took 10 years, however with the new housing developments and the community centre, people actually debark at Bessarion.

[@JohnGape]

The bible stories about Bessarion station are some of our favorites. Thanks for the tip on Bloor West - We'll drag Jeremy out there sometime soon!

[@fishnetstars]

Can I just express how much I love this? I love this.

[@JohnGape]

We love that song. It was the first piece of music selected for the video.

[@cynthiakeus4693]

Well done! take Paris over Runnymede :-) nice lyrics at the end 'Stay Awhile', written by Canadian icon Ken Tobias. Looking forward to your next TTC exploration :-)

[@kevinblack16]

Really enjoyed this. I always wondered about the beauties of Bessarion.

[@lalineaa]

Toronto just went hipster hahhaha thank you guys, this made my night!!

[@ThatGFFAN]

Miss those H6 trains :'(

[@angelicaronquillo985]

and from what i understand, the red dot also tells the door operators, who stick their heads out to watch out for passengers, when to put their head back in... I base this on observation.. i usually sit by the door operator.

[@HazeCanada]

the entire purple line is gorgeous from the inside.

[@kelseyd1027]

I grew up on Talara (which is just of of Bessarion) so I used to be one of those 180 paid fares that used the station. Just to clear things up John Gape, Bessarion (as i've alaays pronounced it) is buh-zarion (i may be wrong but growing up there thats how i've always prounced it).

[@GodsConnect2]

this was such a wonderful watch, great job

[@yuyuyu25]

You should have checked out Leslie while you were at it. It has a very interesting artistic design. Plus, it has these random sections on the other side of the tracks that are open to the outside.

[@leppavu]

So are a lot of stations, even besides the downtown loop. Finch and North York Centre aren't that far, and many on the Bloor line too.

[@flavafee]

this is so well made in every respect. incredible job, you guys

[@bills1177]

Great video - I am sure it's much busier with all the new development in the area

[@funvideofan1625]

3:02 It’s So red.... It’s So RED!!! ...... IT’S BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!

[@JohnGape]

Another mystery of the TTC Solved! Thanks Geoff!

[@JOSHZED]

That looks like a pretty fine station, there is a nice station next to where I live too. I live in Leipzig, Germany, but I'm from Victoria BC so when I saw the station for the first time, I didn't really understand what it was. People use it like bus stops apparently and a train like thing takes them from point A to point B. It's an Amazing world we live in.

[@TheMapleMoose]

This video made me smile. I've never been north of Yorkdale or east of Pape on the subway. To me anything beyond is scary and unknown

[@AcadianGiles]

@3:26 those colored circles are on the platforms at every station on the system and you say "What's this ? It doesnt do anything ..." I had to laugh ! I always assumed they were placement guides for the operator so they know exactly where to stop to line up the cars and doors with the platform.

[@ethanr432]

the fact that they even made the Sheppard Line is a disgrace to this city.

[@TravoyintheFlesh]

THIS VIDEO IS THE BEST FUCKING VIDEO ABOUT THE TTC EVER!!!!!!! I LOVE THIS SOOOO MUCH....it's making me type in caps and spelling words incorrectly! WOW I love this!

[@JohnGape]

It's terrifying. Those soulless eyes follow you as you move around the station.

[@dsevil]

the chimes in the song at 0:20 are awesome, haha

[@ThinKFasT03]

Years ago when I would take the subway to school I would see the booth collector working out, he had brought his own dumbbells. Must have a been a pretty decent job - No cell reception though

[@Kurttoons]

Fantastic! Can't wait to see more videos. Any idea what's next?

[@kindconsciousness8010]

That "random highway" is the 401 - the Toronto part being the busiest highway in the world!

[@TowardsUnity]

+Kyle TS I'm thinking that was the joke.

[@flaminica88]

Wonderful work John. And you were right about the pronunciation: I'm from around there and it's a hard S, like the name "Bess."

[@JohnGape]

Bessarion - sexiest stop on the TTC? Move Over, Eglinton West!