Bus Rapid Transit

Overview

Metrolinx worked on studies for three different bus rapid transit (BRT) projects that were identified in the 2041 Regional Transportation Plan.  

• Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit  
• Dundas Bus Rapid Transit  
• Queen-Street Highway 7 Bus Rapid Transit  

To learn more and view the business cases and environmental studies completed for each of the BRT projects. 

An overview of the planning and design work completed for each project and its current stage is provided below.   

Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit (DSBRT) 

• Metrolinx has completed its planning and design work for the Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) - a proposed bus rapid transit route along a 36-kilometre section of Highway 2 and Ellesmere Road, from Simcoe Street in Oshawa to Scarborough Centre in Toronto. 

• This work included the completion of environmental studies and two business cases – an Initial Business Case (IBC) and the Preliminary Design Business Case (PDBC) – which looked at a preferred design and evaluated project benefits.   

• In 2020 and 2021, Durham Region secured Federal funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) to advance work on the construction and delivery of certain segments of the DSBRT in Pickering and Ajax. The public transit stream of ICIP was cost-shared between the federal, provincial, and regional governments. More information can be found at durham.ca/dsbrt.  

• While there is currently no additional  funding to advance the remaining sections of the DSBRT project, the planning and preliminary design work completed to date may be used to seek additional funding to further advance the project. 

Dundas Bus Rapid Transit (Dundas BRT) 

• Metrolinx has nearly completed its planning and design work for the Dundas BRT – a proposed bus rapid transit route along a 48-kilometre section of Dundas Street, from the City of Hamilton to the Kipling Transit Hub in Etobicoke.  

• This work included the completion of various environmental studies and the completion of a Benefits Case Analysis in 2010 and an Initial Business Case (IBC) in 2020. The Preliminary Design Business Case (PDBC) is anticipated to be completed in Winter 2025.  

• The route was grouped into four key study areas which advanced as separate planning and design projects, with the priority segments of the corridor advancing first:  

Mississauga East – Etobicoke Creek to Confederation Parkway  

Toronto – Kipling Trasit Hub to Etobicoke Creek 

Mississauga West – Confederation Parkway to Ninth Line 

Halton and Hamilton – Ninth Line to Highway 6  

• The City of Mississauga has secured funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Fund (ICIP) to advance work on a section of the route in Mississauga, from the eastern municipal border at Etobicoke Creek to Confederation Parkway. 

• While there is currently no additional funding to advance the remaining sections of the Dundas BRT project, the planning and preliminary design work completed to date may be used to seek additional funding to further advance the project. 

Queen Street-Highway 7 Bus Rapid Transit (Q7BRT) 

• Metrolinx has nearly completed its planning and design work for the Q7BRT – a proposed bus rapid transit route through the cities of Brampton and Vaughan. The project's study area covers a 24-kilometre corridor along Queen Street and Highway 7.  

• This work included work on various environmental studies and the completion of a Benefits Case Analysis in 2013 and an Initial Business Case (IBC) in 2020.  

• The preferred design for the BRT route was advanced to a 10 percent preliminary design and a business case report that summarizes project benefits and costs is under development. The business case report is anticipated to be completed in Winter 2025. 

• While there is currently no additional funding to advance the Q7BRT project, the planning and preliminary design work completed to date may be used to seek additional funding to further advance the project.