The Queens Quay streetcar tunnel claimed another victim – a grey Honda Accord abandoned within its depths. A man drove the allegedly stolen vehicle into the tunnel and simply left it at the Ferry Docks station, disappearing on foot into the bustling city.
Police quickly apprehended the driver, a 40-year-old man now facing charges of dangerous driving and possession of stolen property. Authorities suggest further charges may follow as the investigation unfolds, though thankfully, no one was injured in the bizarre incident.
The incident brought the city’s 510 streetcar line to a standstill for over four hours, disrupting the afternoon commute for countless Torontonians. It’s a familiar disruption, a recurring problem that has plagued the city for years.
This wasn’t an isolated mistake. The Queens Quay tunnel has a notorious history of attracting unauthorized vehicles, a siren song for confused drivers and, in this case, potentially someone with more malicious intent. Gates were installed in 2018, a direct response to the alarming frequency of these incursions – 25 times since 2014.
The excuses have been varied and often unbelievable. One driver in 2017 blamed his GPS, receiving a $425 fine for his navigational mishap. Another, in 2020, followed a streetcar all the way to Union Station before becoming hopelessly stuck.
The latest incident adds to a week of transit turmoil for downtown commuters. Just yesterday, a train derailment caused significant service disruptions, forcing GO Transit to operate on a special schedule and urging passengers to allow extra travel time.
Recovery efforts continue, but the echoes of this week’s chaos serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of the city’s transportation network. The Queens Quay tunnel, once intended to streamline transit, remains a persistent and perplexing challenge.
