Video: An inside look at the 'secret' Bay Lower subway station

The Bay Lower subway station was only used for a brief period during the 1960s. But you may have seen it in some major movies and music videos. Kevin Frankish got inside to take a look at the 'secret' station.

[@GenuinelyGage]

That's honestly so wicked!! I would love the chance to take some photos down there! Would be a dream!!

[@sashineb.2114]

The last weekend of May 2022 is your chance. Doors Open will once again be opening the Bay Lower station to the public. No admission.

[@thevultrantransituniverse1487]

Nice! They should open this station for the Doors Open.

[@transitpics]

TOTransitGuy7755 that would be cool cause i'm planning on going to doors open this year.

[@martingr0ve64]

it is sometimes

[@davidsixside769]

They did last year

[@incarnateTheGreat]

it has happened a few times.

[@thevultrantransituniverse1487]

@@incarnateTheGreat In fact, I was there during Doors Open.

[@mdtorres_76]

Yup, I've been in Lower Bay twice, for Open Doors Toronto and Tour. This was the shooting locations of some movies like Shazam and Bulletproof Monk.

[@sashineb.2114]

Bay Lower will be open for Doors Open again during the last weekend of May 2022.

[@mdtorres_76]

@@sashineb.2114 Thanks for the info. Glad the Toronto events will be back this year.

[@sashineb.2114]

@@mdtorres_76 You're welcome. Don't forget to check the Doors Open site. Their site says the Bay Lower station was built in 1959. It was used in 1966, so I wonder if 1959 is correct.

[@olivercoulson7935]

THEY SHOT SUICIDE SQUADE THERE?!?! Wow

[@mdtorres_76]

Including Shazam, Bulletproof Monk, etc.

[@Mkayexplores]

Scene from Matrix was shot there. It looks identical

[@gregk8008]

The subway scene from the Matrix was not shot here. Although the scene was originally intended to be shot in an actual subway station, the complexity behind the scene meant that they had to film it on a set. Since most of the film was shot in Sydney, they used a disused railway spur and built the set around that.

[@UniquelyClaire]

How did I not know about this...

[@_Just_Another_Guy]

I wonder why it worked for St. George station but not Bay/Lower Bay station since both operates the exact same (or used to, in Lower Bay's case) with similar upper/lower tracks under one station name. I've met more first-time commuters or tourists that were confused about the Bloor/Yonge hub stations than the St. George stations.

[@lawrencelewis2592]

Subways were diverting to lower Bay a few years ago. It was disappointing. I expected a kind of time capsule with posters saying stuff like, "Test drive the new Corvair" or "Tune in on Sundays to Bonanza." But no.

[@JamesMyers230]

I have heard about this place for years but never seen it.

[@alexthemtaandr211weatherfa2]

Seriously ttc needs express trains though downtown Toronto.

[@ecuador.mapping3953]

You There Was AN R110A train Sound But Why

[@TrainStan]

It was a T1

[@waseemsells5378]

😂🤣😂🤣😂 Kevin lol

[@Patchy682bestbus]

I heard my R110A

[@alexthemtaandr211weatherfa2]

No t1.

[@BurnedNoodle]

r/wooooooosh

[@bilalh2784]

😂😭😂😭😂😭😂

[@kchappelle]

Kevin Frankish is falling apart. Talk about letting yourself go...and this was 3 years ago? What does he look like now...lol

[@megankumamoto3645]

why was lower bay station closed

[@Packle.]

@@megankumamoto3645 It was for an experiment where they connected Line 1 and Line 2 together and that was the connecting station but due to a a bunch of hiccups in the design and planning of the rather great idea it failed. One day I hope they reimagine that idea and make it work as its been proven to make great impacts on Subway networks in other cities before and after they tried it. One day they might but who knows at the moment they have more important stuff to worry about like extending the Line 2 Danforth line to Scarborough so the SRT would become a relic of the past.

[@_Just_Another_Guy]

@@Packle. I wonder why it worked for St. George station but not Bay/Lower Bay station since both operates the exact same (or used to, in Lower Bay's case) with similar upper/lower tracks under one station name. I've met more first-time commuters or tourists that were confused about the Bloor/Yonge hub stations than the St. George stations.