New Union Station platform opens

The new entrance to Union Station and the second platform is shown Monday morning, Aug. 18, 2014. (@bradTTC / Twitter)

TTC commuters getting on or off the subway at Union Station today will notice that there is more breathing room on the platforms, now that a second one at the station has opened.

The second platform opened at 6 a.m. on Monday, to be used by riders heading north toward Finch Station on the Yonge Line.

The platform formerly used for both lines will now be exclusively used by riders travelling north on the University Line.

The new platform is meant to ease crowding by doubling the space available to commuters.

The new paid entry turnstiles have Presto card readers in addition to the token slots and magnetic card readers.

Presto cards can be used across 10 transit agencies in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area, replacing the need for tickets, tokens and multiple passes.

Presto card readers will soon be added on Toronto streetcars and buses.