Sheppard Avenue is the main east-west intersecting street at this station site on a north-south subway line. As such, use of “Sheppard†in the station name is consistent with the majority of existing TTC stations, and with the Commission-approved policy on station names. Use of “West†in the station name helps avoid confusion with the existing Sheppard-Yonge Station, and is consistent with other station names on the Spadina Subway, which have “West†as part of the station name. The “Sheppard West†name provides useful geographic information for customers.
The present Downsview Station name is a problematic station name that fails to adequately identify the station for customers. Most significantly, the name does not tell customers that the station is located at Sheppard Avenue on a north-south subway; thus there is no specific geographic reference that would help customers locate themselves in our system. In addition, the station is not close to the historic community of Downsview, nor is it near to residential areas in the present Downsview-Roding-CFB neighbourhood. There is very poor walking access from Downsview Station to Downsview Park but, because of the station name, customers think that the park is easily accessible from the station. The next station to the north on the subway extension will better serve Downsview Park, than the station that is presently called “Downsviewâ€, which would add to confusion.
