July Update: City and TTC staff will present recommendations to Executive Committee on July 16. View the staff report at EX25.4. Arrange to speak or submit comments by calling 416-392-7033 or emailing exc@toronto.ca by 4:30 p.m. on July 15.

 

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).

July 2026: Report to Executive Committee

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:

  • Conversion of the centre lanes to priority streetcar lanes, except between Nassau Street and Dundas Street West, due to Toronto Western Hospital construction. These lanes would be used by TTC vehicles, Wheel-Trans, school buses and emergency vehicles.
  • Addition of a southbound left-turn lane at Bathurst Street and Front Street West intersection.
  • Removal of all one-hour, unsigned and Green P parking spaces, except between Nassau Street and Dundas Street West, while maintaining all accessible parking spaces and existing passenger loading zones.
  • Implementation of no stopping in curb lanes, except in accessible parking spaces and passenger loading zones.
  • Adjustments to traffic signal timing and added/extended turn restrictions at key intersections.

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.

The project area is shown in red, with priority transit lanes between Eglinton Avenue West and Lake Shore Boulevard West, except for a gap between Nassau Street and Dundas Street West
Map of the project area
The comment period for this consultation has closed. The Public Consultation Report summarizes feedback received.

 

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.


Consultation Materials

Virtual Public Meeting

A Virtual Public Meeting was held on May 12, and included a presentation followed by a Question and Answer period.

Public Drop-In Events

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.

Key Features

  • TTC and Wheel-Trans buses, emergency vehicles, school buses and people cycling would be able to use the priority bus lanes
  • TTC streetcars, Wheel-Trans and emergency vehicles would be able to use the priority streetcar lanes
  • Vehicles can enter transit lanes to access driveways, side streets and designated intersections
  • Four mid-block bus stops (Dewbourne Avenue, Ardmore Road, Heathdale Road and Barton Avenue) are considered to be removed because of low ridership, proximity to adjacent stops or a lack of a nearby pedestrian crossing facility.
  • All on-street parking, except for accessible parking spaces and school bus loading zones, is considered to be removed.
  • At major intersections, a combination of new or extended turn restrictions and advanced left-turn signals is considered to support traffic flow and improve road safety.

Proposed Priority Bus Lanes: Eglinton Avenue West to Bathurst Station

The typical cross section being considered for priority streetcar lanes on Bathurst Street includes (from left to right): sidewalk, priority bus lane, vehicle lane, vehicle lane, priority bus lane and sidewalk.
Typical cross section of Bathurst Street, showing the considered priority bus lanes being considered between Eglinton Avenue West and Bathurst Station.

Proposed Priority Streetcar Lanes: Bloor Street West to Bathurst Station

The typical cross section being considered for priority streetcar lanes on Bathurst Street includes (from left to right): sidewalk, vehicle lane, priority streetcar lane, priority streetcar lane, vehicle lane and sidewalk.
Typical cross section of Bathurst Street, showing the considered priority streetcar lanes being considered between Bathurst Station and Lake Shore Boulevard West, except for a gap 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.

  • Dewbourne Avenue
  • Ardmore Road
  • Heathdale Road
  • Barton Avenue

Parking changes being considered:

  • Removal of one-hour or unsigned parking spaces
  • Removal of 138 Green P on-street paid parking between Dupont Street and Bloor Street West
  • All accessible spaces will be maintained

There are currently turn restrictions in place at Davenport Road, Dupont Street and Barton Avenue. The following changes are being considered:

Davenport Road

  • Extend left-turn restriction to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., except on Sundays (northbound)

Dupont Street

  • Remove left-turn restriction (northbound)
  • Extend left-turn restriction to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., except on Sundays (southbound)

Barton Avenue

  • Extend left-turn restriction to at all times (southbound)

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:

  • Removal of one-hour or unsigned parking spaces
  • Removal of 250 Green P on-street paid parking between Lennox Street and Nassau Street
  • All accessible spaces would be maintained
  • All existing curbside facilities would be maintained between Nassau Street and Dundas Street West

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:

Bloor Street West

  • Extend left-turn restrictions to all times (northbound and southbound)
  • Add right-turn restrictions at all times (northbound and southbound)

Harbord Street

  • Add left-turn restriction from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., except on Sundays (northbound)
  • Extend advanced left-turn from 7 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. (southbound)

Dundas Street West

  • Add left-turn restrictions at all times (southbound)

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:

  • Removal of one-hour or unsigned parking spaces
  • Removal of 90 Green P on-street paid parking spaces between Dundas Street West and Wolseley Street

There are currently turn restrictions in place at Queen Street West and King Street West. The following changes for turning vehicles are being considered:

Queen Street West

  • Extend left-turn restrictions at all times (northbound and southbound)
  • Add right-turn restrictions at all times (northbound and southbound)

King Street West

  • Extend left-turn restriction at all times (northbound and southbound)
  • Add right-turn restriction at all times (northbound)

Wellington Street West

  • Add advanced left turn from 7 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. (northbound)

Niagara Street

  • Add left-turn restriction at all times (southbound)

    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.

    Stay Informed

    Sign up to receive project updates by email.