Commuters endured massive delays on the TTC's Bloor-Danforth line Thursday morning due to a damaged cable on the Prince Edward viaduct.

East end residents were stuck waiting for shuttle buses, milling about on subway platforms and waiting for information.

Line 2 subway service was stopped between Pape and St. George stations for most of the morning rush hour, but resumed around 9:30 a.m. It's unclear if Thursday morning's cold, wet weather caused the damaged cable.

Subway platforms, particularly at Pape station, were packed with commuters. At least one train bypassed Pape station, dropping commuters off at Chester station, because there were hundreds of people already on the platform.

Some trains stopped and held for five minutes at every stop between Kennedy and Pape stations. The delays led to crowded stairs and escalators, and hundreds of people waiting around for information near turnstiles.

Stairs and escalators were packed at Line 2 subway stations in Toronto's east end early Thursday because of a partial line shutdown. This is a view from Chester station. (Muriel Draaisma/CBC)

In a tweet, the TTC apologized to commuters for the inconvenience, but it has yet to respond to a request from CBC Toronto for an explanation.

Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Toronto?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Toronto</a>, we apologize for the inconvenience on Line 2 this morning. We got an update that regular service has resumed between Pape and St. George, so trains should be moving shortly. <a href="https://t.co/smpZr4pWNE">https://t.co/smpZr4pWNE</a> ^JV💎 —@TTChelps

It said in a tweet to a commuter that a cable was damaged on the Prince Edward viaduct.

There was a damaged cable on the Prince Edward viaduct. ^KJ —@TTChelps

In addition to running shuttle buses, the transit agency encouraged people to take streetcars and GO Transit routes where possible.

Some commuters ended up late for work. People walked from Pape and Chester stations to Broadview station to catch the King streetcar downtown. Others got off at Main station to catch the Carlton streetcar.

On Twitter, many people criticized the TTC's handling of the shutdown.

Lauren Bonsell tweeted that there was poor communication from TTC staff. "Not even one of those service notices over the comms," Bonsell wrote.

Other frustrated riders tweeted images of large crowds waiting for trains and shuttle buses.

I've been standing here for 10 minutes, haven't moved. <a href="https://t.co/gsTmApqBC9">pic.twitter.com/gsTmApqBC9</a> —@arthuryyz

<a href="https://twitter.com/TTChelps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TTChelps</a> Pape station this morning. Chaos!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ricklearyout?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ricklearyout</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ttc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ttc</a> <a href="https://t.co/MCilV5mhoR">pic.twitter.com/MCilV5mhoR</a> —@pemerrick

Pape and Danforth right now... <a href="https://t.co/vXkbBKfv4a">pic.twitter.com/vXkbBKfv4a</a> —@danielgogi

Amidst the commuter chaos, a cyclist was "doored" by a vehicle Danforth Avenue near Chester station on Thursday morning.

This is what 15 years of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PoliticalWill?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PoliticalWill</a> looks like in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TorontoDanforth?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TorontoDanforth</a> on Danforth Av. From Jones Av to Broadview Av I saw two doorings and probably dozen near misses of cyclists and pedestrians. Fix this! (Of note I did catch up with her. Banged up but ok) Cc: <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulaFletcherTO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PaulaFletcherTO</a> <a href="https://t.co/1CpCi4SG14">pic.twitter.com/1CpCi4SG14</a> —@myonlinelifenow

If all else fails, commuters can get a letter from the TTC to explain why they were late for work.