Police have detonated and removed a "suspicious package" found on the tracks of the Exhibition GO Transit Station that caused widespread delays and cancellations during rush-hour service.
The cylindrical package was spotted sometime after 3 p.m. by an off-duty police officer, Metrolinx officials said. Police closed all four tracks that run through the station as a precaution.
Service was suspended on the Lakeshore West line after a bomb-disposal squad was called in to investigate. Service on the Lake Shore East, Barrie, Kitchener, Milton, Richmond Hill and Stouffville lines was also disrupted as a result.
While the tracks have since re-opened and all trains are operating, Metrolinx spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins said passengers could expect delays to continue for several hours. Regular GO Transit service did not resume until after 9 p.m.
Police found a second "suspicious package" while cleaning up the area, but the item was determined to be a young girl's backpack.
Exhibition Station was closed for an ongoing police investigation, but reopened by Thursday morning. .
While the delays and cancellations are expected to affect more than 100,000 commuters, Aikins said the company was not willing to take any chances with the package.
“This isn’t something to fool around with,” said Aikins. “We want to make sure that our passengers are safe at all times, so we are following the direction of police completely.”
GO Transit customers can travel on the TTC using their monthly pass while GO service was impacted.
