The City of Toronto and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) invite residents to learn about and provide feedback on opportunities to improve public transit along 7.5 km of Bathurst Street, from Eglinton Avenue West to Lake Shore Boulevard West.
Tens of thousands of people rely on buses and streetcars along this key route every day, but traffic congestion slows service down. Priority transit lanes are being considered to help reduce delays and improve reliability.
On weekdays, the 7 Bathurst bus and 511 Bathurst streetcar serve over 35,000 transit riders. Riding transit on Bathurst Street takes 75 per cent longer than driving. Only 63 per cent of buses and 79 per cent streetcars arrive on time. As Toronto grows, updating roadway designs can help meet the city’s evolving transportation needs, including during major events such as FIFA World Cup 26™ (FWC26).
The City and TTC have reviewed public feedback, alongside technical information, policies, guidelines and site observations.
Staff are recommending the installation of priority streetcar lanes on Bathurst Street, south of Bathurst Station to Lake Shore Boulevard West – except for a segment between Nassau Street and Dundas Street West due to construction at Toronto Western Hospital – to be delivered in time for FWC26.
On Bathurst Street, further consideration of the section between Eglinton Avenue West and Bathurst Station is proposed to be undertaken at a future time, rather than immediate implementation before FWC26.
Highlights of the revised design include:
Detailed information can be found in the staff report under Executive Committee agenda item EX25.4.
RapidTO: Bathurst Street is considered along Bathurst Street, from Eglinton Avenue West to Lake Shore Boulevard West.
From April 22 to May 26, the City and TTC invited residents to learn more and provide feedback on RapidTO: Bathurst Street. Public opinion, along with technical and policy considerations, helped shape staff recommendations and will inform upcoming decisions made by City Council.
A Virtual Public Meeting was held on May 12, and included a presentation followed by a Question and Answer period.
Two Public Drop-in Events were held on May 10 and 14, and included an opportunity to view project information panels and speak with members of the project team.
The City and TTC are considering installing priority bus lanes in the northbound and southbound curb lanes from Eglinton Avenue West to Bloor Street West and priority streetcar lanes in the centre lanes from Bloor Street West to Lake Shore Boulevard West, except for a section around Toronto Western Hospital between Nassau Street and Dundas Street West.
Between Eglinton Avenue West and Bathurst Station, the considered design includes one curbside lane converted into a priority bus lane in each direction.
To improve road safety and bus operations, four mid-block bus stops are considered to be removed because of low ridership, proximity to adjacent stops or a lack of a nearby pedestrian crossing facility.
Parking changes being considered:
There are currently turn restrictions in place at Davenport Road, Dupont Street and Barton Avenue. The following changes are being considered:
Between Bathurst Station and Dundas Street West, the considered design includes priority streetcar lanes in the centre lanes, with new signage, red paint and pavement markings. There will not be any priority streetcar lanes in the vicinity of Toronto Western Hospital between Nassau Street and Dundas Street West.
Parking and loading zone changes being considered:
There are currently turn restrictions in place at Bloor Street West, Harbord Street, College Street and Dundas Street. The following changes for turning vehicles are being considered:
Between Dundas Street West and Lake Shore Boulevard West, the considered design includes priority streetcar lanes in the centre lanes, with new signage, red paint and pavement markings.
Parking changes being considered:
There are currently turn restrictions in place at Queen Street West and King Street West. The following changes for turning vehicles are being considered:
Subject to City Council approval, installation would begin in fall 2025, ahead of FWC26 in summer 2026. If approved for installation, monitoring would be undertaken pre- and post-FIFA to ensure traffic keeps moving. The City and TTC would make adjustments based on data collection and monitoring, along with public feedback.
In December 2019, the TTC released its 5-Year Service Plan & 10-Year Outlook which explores priority lanes and other service-enhancing measures on five of the City’s busiest corridors. Part of the 5-Year Service Plan & 10-Year Outlook, the TTC crafted Pillars of Opportunity to advance priority areas of focus, which include Prioritizing Surface Transit.
In February 2024, City Council endorsed the RapidTO: Surface Transit Network Plan (2024.EX11.8). The Surface Transit Network Plan (STNP) is a comprehensive roadmap and work plan that outlines the planned investment in Toronto’s surface transit network. Following this, the City of Toronto and the TTC began a three-phase consultation process to develop and implement the plan. In Phase 1 consultation, titled Understanding Your Priorities, crowding, congestion and slow service were top concerns. In Phase 2 consultation, Identifying Top Roadways, Dufferin Street was ranked in the Top 20 roadways that would most benefit from transit priority. In Phase 3, Roadway-Specific Studies (2023 – 2032+), the City and TTC will study, design and consult with the public to deliver transit priority projects, including Bathurst Street.
In July 2024, City Council authorized staff to accelerate the review and design of transit priority projects on Dufferin Street (between Eglinton Avenue West and the Dufferin Gate Loop) and Bathurst Street (between Eglinton Avenue West and Lake Shore Boulevard West), to support reliable and convenient bus service during the FIFA World Cup 26™ (2024.EX16.21).
While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no text alternative available for some of the content on this page. If you require alternate formats or need assistance understanding our maps, drawings or any other content, please contact us at 416-338-7797 or RapidTOBathurst@toronto.ca.
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