One wonders how long the interline would have lasted if they'd designed the track configurations at Bay and St George so that all trains going one direction were on the upper level, and all trains going the other were on the lower level.
Very good point. The configuration where trains in the same direction could appear on either level is definitely a flaw in the design. That was the biggest complaint with interlining, was it not?
The interline was a bit ahead of its time technically. It might work better now that we have digital technology, but that's a moot point now. It would just move the problem elsewhere. Imagine the crowding at Queens Park or Union if people had to wait for one or two trains before the right one came along. Yonge-Bloor and St George might be less congested, and reopening lower Bay might help the transfer too, but the other downtown stations would all be affected.
- Paul
But remember, only the University line split, so anybody on the Yonge side heading northbound in the PM rush would still have every train northbound to Finch. The Yonge line is where the capacity crunch is. The "every 2nd train" thing would be going southbound, counter-flow to the general peak. It would also increase usage on the University line, since going there would avoid going around the loop. If someone works at King & Bay, walking the extra minute to St. Andrew would be faster than going to King and riding around.