Durham-Scarborough BRT

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a bus-based transit system that provides fast, frequent, reliable, and cost-effective transit through the provision of dedicated bus-only lanes. Bus Rapid Transit can carry more people and has more frequent service than conventional bus service. Bus Rapid Transit is faster and less costly to build than rail-based transit.

The planning and preliminary design for the Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit project is proceeding. The project team is busy completing technical studies to determine potential impacts and propose mitigation measures.

Public Information Centre #3 started November 16, 2020 and provided an opportunity for everyone to review and comment on the preliminary design and the results of the available technical studies.

Durham Region Transit (DRT) and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) will be able use the dedicated lanes and stop and pick up people at the BRT stops. GO Transit buses may operate along the DSBRT in the future. The Durham-Scarborough BRT is not a new bus service. This project builds on the existing DRT PULSE transit service which today runs between downtown Oshawa and the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus. The project will extend the DRT PULSE service over Scarborough Centre.

The Durham-Scarborough BRT is proposing frequent 15-minute or better service, all day, seven days a week, with a bus every five minutes or less during peak hours. This service frequency is based on ridership forecasts developed for the year 2041.

TTC, DRT and GO Transit buses will use the corridor, similar to how they do today. Any fare changes will be determined as the project advances.

In Durham Region, construction is anticipated to begin in early 2025.

In Toronto, construction would proceed when funding is available.

Construction is planned to occur in phases. Areas with existing congestion should be prioritized.

The Preliminary Design Business Case (PDBC) is currently underway. The Transit Project Assessment Process, including the preliminary design, is completed. When and if the project receives approvals and funding, construction timelines will be determined.

If we add more buses to the road, those buses would still be mixed with regular traffic. As demand increases over time, there will be increased traffic congestion and delays for both buses and cars. By providing dedicated lanes for transit in the centre of the road, transit passengers will experience shorter travel times, with more frequent, reliable and comfortable service. General traffic will also benefit from smoother traffic flow by separating buses from regular traffic.

Property owners will be contacted once the design is more developed and funding for construction has been secured.

Metrolinx is committed to engaging with impacted property owners to develop solutions that support businesses and citizens during construction and once the BRT corridor is operational.

The Highway 2 and Ellesmere Road corridor is a crucial transportation link across Scarborough and Durham Region. With rapid growth in the past decade and an expectation for this growth to continue, demand for travel along the corridor will increase. We continue to plan for a higher capacity form of transit to link communities and employment on both sides of the Toronto-Durham boundary.

While travel patterns have changed as a result of COVID-19, transit remains an essential service and is required for those who do not have a vehicle or cannot drive. The importance of transit has been echoed by the Province’s recent actions, which declared transit as critical infrastructure.