Midtown commuters on the Yonge subway line can breathe a sigh of relief, as the Toronto Transit Commission has cancelled a plan to close service between St. Clair and Eglinton stations for maintenance in 2014.

Although the 60-year-old tracks are still in need of replacement, TTC spokesperson Brad Ross said shutting down the subway and moving commuters above ground is “not feasible economically.”

A memo from TTC CEO Andy Byford to the TTC Commission Board said that shutting down the tracks between St. Clair Avenue and Eglinton Avenue would require 250 replacement shuttle buses and 400 new drivers. 

Although the TTC will continue to maintain the tracks, which are largely outdoors and especially vulnerable to the elements, no closures will be scheduled until at least 2016, after Toronto hosts the Pan American Games, said Ross.

Until that time, the trains will continue to operate at slower speeds, a safety measure which Ross said leads to slower and unreliable service on the Yonge line.

Coun. Josh Matlow said he hopes any new plans for track shutdowns are not implemented without consulting local residents and businesses.

Too often, he said, the TTC makes decisions without providing reasonable alternatives for commuters. 

“Hopefully, there will be a plan in place to ensure that residents can get to work, and home, on time,” he said.