RapidTO: Eglinton East Bus Lanes

Download the Eglinton East dashboard to learn how the RapidTO bus lanes are improving transit reliability and capacity in Scarborough.

The bus routes on Eglinton East are among the TTC’s most heavily used and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, continue to play a significant role in moving people more efficiently around Toronto. It emerged as the top candidate for accelerated installation of RapidTO bus lanes based on an assessment of several factors including improvement to transit reliability, available right-of-way and considerations for transportation equity and inclusion of Neighbourhood Improvement Areas.

The Eglinton East bus lanes serve seven of Scarborough’s eight Neighbourhood Improvement Areas. Providing the RapidTO bus lane advances Action 7.2.1, of the City Council approved Poverty Reduction Strategy 2019-2022 Term Action Plan, to explore bus transit lanes on heavily used bus routes in the inner suburbs to improve speed and reliability of existing transit service.

The 8.5 kilometre Eglinton East bus lanes run along Eglinton Avenue East, Kingston Road and Morningside Avenue from Brimley Road, through to the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus.

The High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on Eglinton Avenue East were converted to RapidTO bus lanes.
Curbside general-purpose lanes on Kingston Road and Morningside Avenue were converted to RapidTO bus lanes.
RapidTO bus lanes are reserved for TTC buses, Wheel-Trans buses and bicycles 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and identified using red surface treatment and signage.
The total project cost approximately $4 million.

Image of Eglinton showing 4 lanes of traffic. The curb side lanes in each direction are painted red to indicate that only buses are allowed to use the lane.

Tactical Transit Improvements

Convert high occupancy vehicle lanes and general purpose lanes with red paint, signage.

Real Improvements for Existing Customers

Improved speed and reliability of bus service for 47,000 customers.

Advance Equity Initiatives

Advances the Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Serves 7 of 8 Neighbourhood Improvement Areas.

Improved Transit Travel Times

Average travel time savings of 2-5 minutes per trip.

Advance Approved Strategic Documents & Action Plans

Advances: Transform TO, Resilience Strategy, Corporate Strategic Plan, TTC Corporate Plan.

Cost Savings

Annual savings of $2.5 million in operating cost and a one-time capital cost savings of $6.3 million as a result of decreased travel time and the need for fewer busses to provide the same level of service.

Map of the 8.5-kilometre Eglinton East corridor which runs along Eglinton Avenue East, Kingston Road and Morningside Avenue from Brimley Road, through to the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus.