Islington Station

Islington used to be the termination end point of the west end of the Bloor-​Danforth line until Kipling was built back in 1980. Islington does have a parking lot but it is tiny when compared to Kipling’s multiple lots.
TTC buses that run out of here are only 3, the 37 Islington (Islington station to Finch), 50 Burnhamthorpe (Islington station to Mill Road) and 110 Islington south (Islington station to Long Branch loop). Besides the TTC the Mi-​Way (Mississauga transit) buses also use Islington as a depot but the systems are not connected by fares. To ride from one system to another there is an additional fare required.
For entry into the station for Mississauga transit to board the buses you must pay a TTC fare. In order to not pay the TTC fare to board the Mi-​Way you must board the Mi-​Way outside of the station.
The subway platform for Islington is undivided that is you can access either east or westbound trans from the single middle platform for either train. The ground level of the station is very large and open.
There is an entry for both the main station at the north west corner of Islington and Bloor as well as stairs leading down on the north east corner (Shipp Centre) side.

I’ve been here as both a rider, and to pick up. As a rider, it does what you need it to do, the train stops, you get in, the train leaves. The parking lot fills quickly, and they should figure out something to fix that, as it is a paid parking lot, and likely makes money for the TTC.
To pick up a passenger, what a disaster this place is. There are many parking spots reserved for taxi’s which really limits the space for others picking people up. Nevermind the people that just pull up and park along the edge of the platform and screwing the people trying to get out of the actual parking spots.
There must be a better lay out, but i’m sure it’s not a pressing issue on the desks of the TTC executives. It works, a pain in the neck, but it works.

This station is quite famous for letting in the people from Mississauga! This is where all the Mississauga transit stops and you can transfer on to TTC. Yet another subway stop not much to it couple of mini Convenience stands & shops.

I rolled up into this subway only to find 15 – 20 pigeons (flying rats) chillaxing in the station. The birds looked comfy; very much at home. There’s a sign INSIDE the station that says «Don’t Feed the Pigeons» so I guess the pigeons are a permanent part of the experience.
I waited for Mississauga Transit for 40 mins, which is the time that two buses should have arrived. How does it makes sense that the scheduled buses JUST DON’T COME?! Also, if I have to wait for a bus that may never come, can’t you guys insulate the Mi platforms!!! I freezed my buns off!
Also, there were pigeons fighting on the platform. I suspect they were fighting to be the first under the bus’ wheel cuz it was COLD and pigeon feathers aren’t THAT warm! I’m blown away by how many pigeons live in that station. I saw pigeons that were missing feet or their stupid feet were backwards and gross! I’m normally more compassionate towards animals, but eww, these pigeons need to form a «flying v» and take it to the Dirty ‘Shwa (Oshawa) where they belong! Don’t inhale at this station.
1 star for grossness

Islington Subway Station. Shiver.
Firstly, the second those subway doors open and you take your first breath of Islington Station air, your nostrils get bitch slapped with the gross stench of nachos, vomit, dirty feet, rat pee, and sin. Then you walk along the platform and you feel like you’re in a horror movie. The faded walls almost blend in with the stained ceiling. And sometimes a fluorescent light blinks uncontrollably and you feel like Chucky is going to appear from the shadows.
But the grotesque ambience will never deter me from going there for STUFFED JAMAICAN PATTIES!!! These babies helped me survive the stresses of high school. Every day before or after school I stopped at the Gourmet Bakery and picked up a stuffed patty. They put lettuce in it and mayo (or is it sour cream???) …If you ever go to this station, you have to try it!!! YUM YUM YUM!

Chances are if you live in Mississauga and go to Toronto alot, you’re Familiar with this subway station.
It has everything a subway station should have… Subway cars? Yes! Oh Em Gee… along with a couple of mini Gateway Convenience stands, couple of shops that sell some baked goods, and a coffee place… Oh And did i mention PIGEONS! yes, those little buggers. With connecting Mississauga buses To the Toronto Buses as well.
it usually gets pretty busy here during the day and also on weekends.
As for the Pigeons, we shall meet again. Only this time you wont be attacking me.

Particularly the Islington south bus #8061 @ 12:50pm and it’s douchebag driver. You know why I can’t run to catch you? Because I have a 3mo old strapped to my front! And what TTC policy says it’s okay to accept passengers on when a bus is IN MOTION?! Yes so appropriate to yell at me while boarding because you were moving — what was I thinking hesitating? Silly over-​protective parent.

i returned to islington subway station after many years away. nothing has changed — if anything, the pigeons are more aggressive and really own the station now.
first, why does it feel like a dungeon on the ticket-​collecting level? has anyone thought, in the past 20 years, to add a few more lights?
and does it really need to be so dirty everywhere?
but, you know what really gets me? this subway station is constantly busy, because not only is it a hub for a lot of buses, it’s also where mississauga transit drops off and picks up a lot of passengers. so, it’s a kind of bustling place. maybe it could use some comfort improvements? oh no. MUSEUM STATION, WHERE ALMOST NO ONE EVER GETS OFF, GETS A RENOVATION??? this offended me to no end. ttc, spend some money on a station that your loyal customers use day in, day out.

Islington Subway station, as far as subway stations go, is not terrible. It’s fairly clean, and you can get some AMAZING Jamaican patties in the café (Gourmet Bakery, I believe it’s called)
Bus traffic can be a bit hectic coming in because it’s the interchange for Mississauga transit, but otherwise service is not too bad. Beware the bus platforms though, even though they are outside there is not a breath of fresh air as they are filled with aggressive pigeons and they often smell of urine and god-​knows-​what-​else. Shudder.

I like Islington. If you are early and have time to hang around there is a few clothing stores, mostly containing knockoffs. Also a bakery and I’m not too sure if it’s a Macdonalds or some other burger join. However, the bus waiting areas could use a little touch up

Ok this station is probably one of the most convenient in the West end… as previously mentioned it does have a few shops, a dry-​cleaner, a concession stand and even a Food to Go snack bar (their Apple turnovers are off the hook). If you happen to live in Toronto and work in Mississauga (or vice versa) this station also serves as a hub for Mississauga transit (this will be changing once the construction at Kipling station is done).
As this positive stuff aside I can’t get over the debilitating smell! What smell? If you’ve even been to this station during or after it rains you know what I mean. It smells like rotting corpses and vomit.
It’s bad… when it rains I purposely take the train to Kipling and walk just to avoid the stench.

This is a bustling little station. As a Mississauga Transit and TTC transfer point there are lots of people heading through here. There’s not only one, but two food businesses here plus the usual news stand.
In the hallway below the bus terminals there are signs that will flash when a bus is in the terminal so you don’t have to wait on the platform in the cold. Everything is well marked so you can easily find your way to the correct bus or train.