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Toronto Eglinton Line 5 | ?m | ?s | Metrolinx | Arcadis

I suspect the actual volume is ok. No one is covering their ears because it’s too loud
Suspicion is not confirmation. And my wife and I were certainly covering our ears. I will not ride Line 5 again without ear plugs or noise canceling earbuds.

You can just bet that the operator is not subjected to the same volume as the passengers - otherwise they (or their union) would be filing a OHSA compliant.
 
bUt tTc iS a wOrLd ClAsS tRaNsIt sYsTeM..... 🙄
metrolinx, but I get your point.
I wish there was a way to hand this off to the TTC to own, because the signage/wayfinding is also a glaring isaue across the line.
But...we're not in a political environment to consider such things.
 
Suspicion is not confirmation. And my wife and I were certainly covering our ears. I will not ride Line 5 again without ear plugs or noise canceling earbuds.

You can just bet that the operator is not subjected to the same volume as the passengers - otherwise they (or their union) would be filing a OHSA compliant.
I saw a post online, someone measured the sound level at 80dB with their Apple Watch.
 
I saw a post online, someone measured the sound level at 80dB with their Apple Watch.
Notwithstanding the accuracy of the measurement, it's worth taking a look at a reputable (if dated) decibel level chart for context of 80dB:

Screenshot 2026-03-20 124842.png

Source: Yale Environmental Health and Safety
 
I'd argue it's not just the noise level, but the timbre... It has lots of static. Irritating to listen to, for sure (as others have noted)
 
bUt tTc iS a wOrLd ClAsS tRaNsIt sYsTeM..... 🙄
The TTC has its advantages over other “world class” systems; like a single metro concourse for all directions, which is something New York could stand to take notes on.

That said, the TTC certainly resists paying attention to world class transit systems in favour of hiring consultants.
 
I'd argue it's not just the noise level, but the timbre... It has lots of static. Irritating to listen to, for sure (as others have noted)
Probably not static, but distortion and clipping (passive hard limiting). Static would indicate EM interference or line shorts in a modern audio system and is generally an analog audio problem.

I doubt it’s a manufacturing issue, and likely a user problem. Especially (Ironically) if it’s happening on every vehicle.

I’m gonna guess they’re using audio files recorded at or normalized/compressed to line level (+4dBu) and pushing it through an additional amp set to push it higher. Either that or they’re over driving vastly inferior speakers. Both issues, if constant, will ultimately lead to damage and drastic shortening of the equipment life.
 
I saw a post online, someone measured the sound level at 80dB with their Apple Watch.
So well below the 8-hour long continuous 90 dBA that would trigger penalties, and even the 85 dBA that should trigger action.

(it wasn't the noise that got me - though we were crush loaded the one time I took it, so perhaps not as relatively high above background) - but the static.
 
Line 5 shutdown in effect;
View attachment 723504

Several of the supports holding up the overhead catenary have fallen down on their support poles, leaving at least four trains stranding on the wrong side of the surface section. Just the latest egg on Metrolinx’s face. 🤦

Even though I think full grade separation and thereby high floor trains would've been better, I am starting to think that nothing would've precluded the same clownery from happening.

How sure are we that this sort of problem won't pop up on the Ontario Line's OCS? Have Canadians forgotten how to build railways?

Or did we never know how to do overhead electrification?
 

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