Overview
McCowan station is a former rapid transit station in the district of Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was part of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Line 3 Scarborough (also known as the Scarborough RT), an elevated light metro line that operated between Kennedy and McCowan stations. The station was situated at the intersection of McCowan Road and Ellesmere Road.
History
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 28 July 1985 | McCowan station opened as the northern terminus of Line 3 Scarborough. |
| 30 July 2023 | Service on Line 3 Scarborough, including McCowan station, was suspended for the final time as the line entered permanent decommissioning. |
The station served the surrounding residential and commercial areas for 38 years before the line’s closure. Its termination was part of a planned transition to bus rapid transit (BRT) and eventual Ontario Line extension to replace the aging infrastructure.
Location and Structure
- Address: McCowan Road & Ellesmere Road, Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Configuration: Elevated structure with two side platforms serving two tracks.
- Facilities: Sheltered waiting areas, ticket vending machines, and a small station house at street level providing access to the platforms via stairs and elevators.
Accessibility
McCowan station was equipped with elevators, making it accessible to persons with mobility impairments in accordance with TTC accessibility standards.
Transit Connections
| Mode | Route | Note |
|---|---|---|
| TTC Bus | 11 Don Mills, 17 Birchmount, 85 Sheppard East, 116 Morningside | Direct connections at adjacent bus stops. |
| GO Transit | None (nearest GO station is Scarborough Centre) | No direct GO service. |
Future Plans
Following the line’s closure, the TTC instituted a substitute bus service (Line 3 Replacement Bus) to maintain transit coverage between Kennedy and McCowan. Long‑term plans include extending the Ontario Line, a new heavy‑rail subway line, northward to serve the Scarborough corridor, though a specific station at the former McCowan site has not been formally announced.
Ridership
Detailed ridership statistics for McCowan station are not publicly archived in a consolidated form; however, the TTC reported that Line 3 Scarborough carried an average of approximately 30,000 boardings per weekday in its final year of operation, with McCowan station accounting for a modest share due to its position at the line’s terminus.
References
- Toronto Transit Commission, “Line 3 Scarborough – History and Operations.”
- Toronto City Council, “Transit Infrastructure and Planning Documents (2022‑2024).”
This summary reflects information available from official TTC publications and municipal planning documents up to July 2026.
