Bob Visits the New Mount Dennis Bus Terminal

 

There’s something about a brand-new transit terminal that hits me the same way a fresh roll of film used to back in the day—clean, full of promise, and waiting for stories to unfold. So today, I wandered up to the brand-new Mount Dennis station to check out the new bus terminal that’s part of the Line 5 Crosstown project.

It’s a sleek space—modern, glassy, bright, and still carrying that “new station smell.” On a damp Toronto afternoon, the huge overhangs and wide platforms stood out right away. Someone clearly thought about where people actually wait when it rains, and it shows.

Out front, a TTC bus on the 168 Symington route pulled in, headlights glowing against the wet pavement. I watched it glide along the bright yellow curb—one of those perfect moments where transit, weather, and architecture line up just right.

The whole terminal loop wraps around the building in one smooth arc, and with hardly anyone around today, it felt like I had the entire place to myself. Just me, a couple of buses, and the soft hum of a transit project almost ready for prime time.

Walking along the glass-lined platform, I loved how the reflections played with the skyline behind me. These new transit hubs are a dream for symmetry lovers—clean edges, sharp corners, long sightlines. Even the seating and signage feel intentionally laid out, minimal but polished.

Inside, I followed the signs toward the future Line 5 platform area. To get there, you pass through a set of shiny new Presto gates, all lined up and glowing green. It’s one of those moments where the station suddenly feels “real,” like the flip of a switch when a transit system goes from construction zone to operational space. I stood there for a minute, thinking about how many thousands of taps these gates will see once the line finally opens.

Downstairs, the concourse is bright, open, and well organized, with a clear way of pointing you toward buses, trains, and exits. The escalators leading back up to the terminal are surrounded by smooth, bright walls that make the whole space feel almost futuristic.

Back upstairs, a couple of workers in bright safety jackets were chatting near the doors, their orange gear popping against the quieter tones of the terminal. It felt like the calm before the storm—this place is built to handle crowds, even if today it was just me exploring it.

As I walked the length of the terminal, I couldn’t help imagining what it’ll look like once Line 5 finally opens—buses flowing in, commuters moving through quickly, trains connecting to routes Toronto has needed for years.

But today, it was just Bob, wandering through a brand-new corner of the city before most people even see it.

And honestly? That’s my favourite way to explore Toronto—quiet, early, and right before the action starts.

Another day, another story waiting to happen.