During the past few months, the TTC has dramatically increased service along most bus and streetcar routes as part of its ongoing strategy to “grow” ridership.
Unfortunately, this time, with the service changes that come into effect on Sunday, February 15, the TTC will be slightly decreasing service on many routes due to a lack of trained operators and buses. The failure of diesel - electric hybrid buses has had a major role to play in forcing the TTC to temporarily decrease its services. The decrease will likely continue until the TTC buys and receives new buses.
(this post uses transit advocate Steve Munro’s data on the number of vehicles operating along each route. You can read Steve’s comments on the latest TTC service changes here.)
Since Monday, February 16 is Family Day, a statutory holiday in Ontario, many of these changes do not affect service until Tuesday, February 17.
The changes affect these routes: 12 Kingston Rd; 16 McCowan; 17 Birchmount; 22 Coxwell; 25 Don Mills; 29 Dufferin; 32 Eglinton West; 34 Eglinton East; 36 Finch West; 37 Islington; 39 Finch East; 41 Keele; 45 Kipling; 46 Martin Grove; 47 Lansdowne; 50 Burnhamthorpe; 52 Lawrence West; 54 Lawrence East; 58 Malton; 60 Steeles West; 61 Avenue Rd North; 62 Mortimer; 63 Ossington; 64 Main; 68 Warden; 70 O’Connor; 72 Pape; 75 Sherbourne; 79 Scarlett Rd; 85 Sheppard East; 86 Scarborough; 87 Cosburn; 88 South Leaside; 89 Weston; 95 York Mills; 96 Wilson; 102 Markham Rd; 105 Dufferin North; 106 York University; 108 Downsview; 111 East Mall; 116 Morningside; 131 Nugget; 133 Neilson; 134 Progress; 161 Rogers Rd; 168 Symington; 171 Mt Dennis; 190 Scarborough Centre Rocket; 196 York University Rocket.
Specifically, the TTC is: introducing a new branch of a current route; canceling branches of current routes; increasing service along current routes; decreasing service along current routes; and adjusting the schedules of current routes.
Introducing a new branch of a current route
96 Wilson
Starting Sunday, February 15, the TTC operates buses on a new 96D branch of the route along Westmore Drive between Carrier Drive and Finch Avenue West on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from about noon until 10 p.m. The TTC is introducing this new branch to help passengers travel to a place of worship on Westmore Drive.
Eastbound buses start their trips at the cul-de-sac at the end of Carrier Drive, north of Albion Road, then proceed along the regular 96A branch to Carrier Drive and Humber College Boulevard, then proceed:
eastward along Carrier;
southward along Westmore Drive; and then
westward along Finch Avenue West to Humber College Boulevard,
resuming the regular 96A branch southward along Humber College.Westbound buses reverse this routing.
Buses operate every 24 minutes along this new branch. While buses serve stops along Westmore Drive, they no longer operate on the 96A branch along Humber College Boulevard between Carrier Drive and Finch Avenue West.
Also, starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC operates an earlier Monday-to-Friday eastbound bus along the route. The bus leaves Finch Avenue West and Humberline Drive at 5:40 a.m. Mondays to Fridays.
Canceling branches of current routes
165 Weston Rd North
Starting Sunday, December 7, the TTC started operating all buses on the 165 Weston Rd North route to Steeles Avenue seven days a week.
The TTC no longer operates the165B branch between Finch Avenue West and Wilson Station late Sunday and holiday evenings after 10 p.m. or the 165C branch between Finch and York Mills Station Saturday evenings and Sunday and holiday daytime.
By canceling the 165B and C branches, the TTC canceled all service along Rumike Road, Lindy Lou Road and Jayzel Drive. Sunday, December 7 was the first time since September 3, 1963 that TTC buses have not operated along these three streets.
Increasing service along current routes
25 Don Mills
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC increases the frequency of service along the 25D branch between 16th Avenue and Pape Station during Monday-to-Friday rush hours. During morning rush hours, it increases the frequency from every 15 minutes 50 seconds to every 14 minutes. During afternoon rush hours, it increases the frequency from every 18 minutes to every 16 minutes.
The TTC also temporarily decreases the frequency of service south of Steeles Avenue East.
102 Markham Rd
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC operates an earlier southbound bus along the 102B branch Mondays to Fridays. The bus leaves Maybrook and Passmore Avenues at 5:02 a.m. and arrives at Warden Station at 5:45 a.m.
The TTC also decreases the service at other times of the week.
171 Mt Dennis
Starting Sunday, February 15, buses operate until 11 p.m. along the route seven days a week.
The TTC also decreases the frequency of service along the route.
165 Weston Rd North
Starting Sunday, February 15, the TTC operates all buses on the route as far north as Steeles Avenue West on Sundays and holidays. (Some buses continue further north to Major Mackenzie Drive.) Buses no longer operate along Finch Avenue West, Rumike Road, Lindy Lou Drive and Jayzel Place at any time of the week.
The TTC has operated all buses as far north as Steeles Avenue West since Sunday, December 7, but is now officially scheduling the service.
Decreasing the service along current routes
61 Avenue Rd North
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday morning rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service from every 12 minutes to every 15 minutes.
17 Birchmount
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday morning rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service along the 17A branch between 14th Avenue and Warden Station from every 19½ minutes to every 21 minutes. South of Steeles Avenue East, where buses operate along both branches of the route, it decreases the frequency from every 6½ minutes to every 7 minutes.
50 Burnhamthorpe
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday morning rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service from every 8 minutes to every 10 minutes.
87 Cosburn
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday rush hours. During morning rush hours, it decreases the frequency of service along the main 87 route between Main Street and Broadview Stations from every 10 minutes to every 11 minutes. West of Coxwell Avenue, where buses operate along both branches of the route, it decreases the frequency during morning rush hours from every 5 minutes to every 5½ minutes.
During afternoon rush hours, the TTC decreases the frequency along the main 87 route from every 12½ minutes to every 14 minutes. East of Coxwell, it decreases the frequency from every 6 minutes 15 seconds to every 7 minutes.
22 Coxwell
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday afternoon rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service from every 6 minutes to every 8 minutes.
25 Don Mills
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates three fewer buses along the route during Monday-to-Friday rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service south of Steeles Avenue East from every 3 minutes 10 seconds to every 3½ minutes during morning rush hours. It decreases the frequency south of Steeles from every 3 minutes 36 seconds to every 4 minutes during afternoon rush hours.
The TTC also increases the frequency along the 25D branch between 16th Avenue and Pape Station.
108 Downsview
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday morning rush hours. It decreases the frequency from every 6½ minutes to every 7 minutes 15 seconds.
29 Dufferin
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates two fewer buses during Monday-to-Friday morning rush hours and six fewer buses from about 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. It decreases the frequency of service during morning rush hours from every 2½ minutes to every 2 minutes 38 seconds. It decreases the frequency during the Monday-to-Friday midday period from every 3 minutes 20 seconds to every 4 minutes 8 seconds.
105 Dufferin North
A Region of York project to rebuild Dufferin Street north of Steeles Avenue West likely will delay bus service. Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC is temporarily operating one more bus along the route until about 7 p.m. Mondays to Fridays to maintain regular schedules during the project.
Even though one more bus serves passengers wanting to travel along the route, the construction still results in less frequent service during Monday-to-Friday rush hours. The TTC is decreasing the frequency during morning rush hours from every 14 minutes to every 15 minutes. It’s decreasing the frequency during afternoon rush hours from every 12 minutes to every 13 minutes.
The TTC is also adjusting the schedule during the Monday-to-Friday midday period.
111 East Mall
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service during morning rush hours from every 7 minutes to every 8½ minutes. It decreases the frequency during afternoon rush hours from every 9 minutes to every 11 minutes.
34 Eglinton East
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates two fewer buses along the route during Monday-to-Friday rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service during morning rush hours from every 3 minutes 45 seconds to every 4 minutes. It decreases the frequency during afternoon rush hours from every 4½ minutes to every 5 minutes.
It also adjusts the schedule of the route.
32 Eglinton West
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates three fewer buses along the route during Monday-to-Friday rush hours. During morning rush hours, it decreases the frequency of service between Keele Street / Trethewey Drive and Eglinton West Station, where buses operate along all branches of the route, from every 1 minute 44 seconds to every 1 minute 48 seconds. During afternoon rush hours, it decreases the frequency between Keele Street / Trethewey Drive and Eglinton West Station from every 2 minutes 10 seconds to every 2½ minutes.
Mississauga Transit has asked the TTC to operate one less bus and decrease the frequency of service along the 32B branch between the Airport Corporate Centre and Eglinton Station from about 9:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC decreases the frequency during the midday period from every 10½ minutes to every 22 minutes. It decreases the frequency during the afternoon rush hours from every 13 minutes to every 21 minutes.
39 Finch East
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the express branches of the route during Monday-to-Friday afternoon rush hours. It decreases the frequency of express service west of Tapscott Road, where buses operate along all express branches of the route, from every 4½ minutes to every 4 minutes 45 seconds.
36 Finch West
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates four fewer buses along the route during Monday-to-Friday afternoon rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service east of Weston Road, where buses operate along all branches of the route from every 3 minutes to every 3 minutes 15 seconds.
37 Islington
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates two fewer buses along the route during Monday-to-Friday afternoon rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service on the 37D branch along Pine Valley Drive and Islington Avenue between Highway 7 and Islington Station from every 32 minutes to every 36 minutes. It decreases the frequency on the 37A branch along Rexdale Boulevard and Islington Avenue between Humberwood Drive and Islington Station from every 16 minutes to every 18 minutes. South of Bergamot Avenue, where buses operate along all branches of the route, it decreases the frequency from every 5 minutes 20 seconds to every 6 minutes.
41 Keele
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates two fewer buses along the route during Monday-to-Friday afternoon rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service from every 5 minutes to every 5½ minutes.
12 Kingston Rd
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route from about 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. It decreases the frequency of service west of Brimley Road, where buses operate along all branches of the route, from every 10 minutes to every 12½ minutes.
45 Kipling
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday rush hours. During morning rush hours, it decreases the frequency of express service along route from every 4 minutes 15 seconds to every 4½ minutes. During afternoon rush hours, it decreases the frequency of express service from every 7 minutes to every 7 minutes 15 seconds.
47 Lansdowne
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday morning rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service south of St. Clair Avenue West, where buses operate along all branches of the route, from every 5 minutes to every 5½ minutes.
54 Lawrence East
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates three fewer buses along the route during Monday-to-Friday afternoon rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service east of Scarborough Golf Club Road, where buses operate along all branches of the route, from every 3 minutes 20 seconds to every 3 minutes 40 seconds.
52 Lawrence West
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday afternoon rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service on the main 52 route between Martin Grove Road and Lawrence Station from every 6 minutes 40 seconds to every 7 minutes. It decreases the frequency of service along the 52C branch between Culford Road and Lawrence West Station from every 20 minutes to every 21 minutes.
64 Main
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday afternoon rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service from every 8 minutes to every 11 minutes.
58 Malton
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates two fewer buses along the route during Monday-to-Friday afternoon rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service along the 58B branch between Westwood Terminal and Lawrence West Station from every 13 minutes 40 seconds to every 22½ minutes. East of Toronto Pearson International Airport, where buses operate along all branches of the route, it decreases the frequency from every 6 minutes 40 seconds to every 7½ minutes.
102 Markham Rd
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates three fewer buses along the route during Monday-to-Friday morning rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service along the 102D branch between Mount Joy GO Station and Warden Station from every 17½ minutes to every 20 minutes. It decreases the frequency of service south of Progress Avenue, where buses operate along all branches of the route, from every 4 minutes 23 seconds to every 5 minutes.
The TTC also increases the service early Monday-to-Friday mornings.
46 Martin Grove
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday morning rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service from every 10 minutes to every 11 minutes 15 seconds.
171 Mt Dennis
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC decreases the service from every 15 minutes to every 20 minutes at all times.
It also increases the hours of service along the route.
16 McCowan
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday rush hours. During morning rush hours, it decreases the frequency of service from every 7 minutes to every 8 minutes. During afternoon rush hours, it decreases the frequency from every 7½ minutes to every 8½ minutes.
116 Morningside
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates three fewer buses along the route during Monday-to-Friday afternoon rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service along the 116A and E branches between U of T Scarborough / Conlins Road and Kennedy Station from every 15 minutes to every 18 minutes. It decreases the frequency of service between Ellesmere and Kingston Roads, where buses operate along all branches of the route, from every 15 minutes to every 18 minutes.
62 Mortimer
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday morning rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service from every 11 minutes to every 15 minutes.
133 Neilson
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday rush hours. During morning rush hours, it decreases the frequency of service from every 7 minutes to every 8 minutes. During afternoon rush hours, it decreases the frequency from every 7 minutes to every 7½ minutes.
131 Nugget
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday morning rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service from every 7 minutes to every 7½ minutes.
70 O’Connor
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday afternoon rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service south of St. Clair Avenue East, where buses operate along all branches of the route, from every 6½ minutes to every 7 minutes.
63 Ossington
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday morning rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service south of St. Clair Avenue West, where buses operate along both branches of the rute, from every 4 minutes 15 seconds to every 4½ minutes.
72 Pape
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday morning rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service north of Queen Street East, where buses operate along both branches of the route, from every 6 minutes to every 7 minutes.
134 Progress
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the 134B branch of the route between McNicoll Avenue and Scarborough Centre Station during Monday-to-Friday afternoon rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service from every 15 minutes to every 20 minutes.
161 Rogers Rd
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday afternoon rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service from every 10 minutes 45 seconds to every 12½ minutes.
86 Scarborough
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates four fewer buses along the route during Monday-to-Friday morning rush hours and two fewer buses along the route during afternoon rush hours. During morning rush hours, it decreases the frequency of service along each of the 86A branch between the Toronto Zoo and Kennedy Station, the 86B branch between Highland Creek and Kennedy Station and the 86D branch between Beechgrove Avenue and Kennedy Station from every 15 minutes to every 20 minutes. It decreases the frequency along the 86E express branch between Sheppard Avenue East and Kennedy Station from every 5 minutes to every 5½ minutes. During afternoon rush hours, it decreases the frequency along the 86D branch between Beechgrove Avenue and Kennedy Station from every 13 minutes 20 seconds to every 20 minutes.
190 Scarborough Centre Rocket
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday rush hours. During morning rush hours, it decreases the frequency of service from every 6½ minutes to every 7½ minutes. During afternoon rush hours, it decreases the frequency from every 6 minutes to every 6 minutes 40 seconds.
79 Scarlett Rd
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday morning rush hours and two fewer buses during afternoon rush hours. During morning rush hours, it decreases the frequency of service from every 4½ minutes to every 5 minutes. During afternoon rush hours, it decreases the frequency from every 6 minutes to every 7 minutes.
85 Sheppard East
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates two fewer buses along the route during Monday-to-Friday afternoon rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service between Meadowvale Road and Don Mills Station, where buses operate along all branches of the route, from every 4 minutes 15 seconds to every 4½ minutes.
75 Sherbourne
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday afternoon rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service from every 10 minutes to every 12 minutes.
88 South Leaside
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday rush hours. During morning rush hours, it decreases the frequency of service from every 6 minutes to every 7½ minutes. During afternoon rush hours, it decreases the frequency from every 7½ minutes to every 8½ minutes.
60 Steeles West
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates two fewer buses along the route during Monday-to-Friday rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service east of Keele Street, where buses operate along all branches of the route, from every 3 minutes 10 seconds to every 3 minutes.
168 Symington
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday morning rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service from every 5 minutes to every 5½ minutes.
68 Warden
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates two fewer buses along the route during Monday-to-Friday morning rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service on the 68B branch between Major Mackenzie Drive and Warden Station from every 15 minutes to every 20 minutes. South of Steeles Avenue East, where buses operate along both branches of the route, it decreases the frequency from every 3 minutes 45 seconds to every 4 minutes.
89 Weston
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates two fewer buses along the route during Monday-to-Friday rush hours. During morning rush hours, it decreases the frequency of service from every 5 minutes 15 seconds to every 6 minutes. During afternoon rush hours, it decreases the frequency from every 7½ minutes to every 8½ minutes.
96 Wilson
Starting Sunday, February 15, the TTC introduces a new 96D branch along Westmore Drive from about noon until 10 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
The new branch replaces the 96A branch, so buses do not operate along Humber College Boulevard between Carrier Drive and Finch Avenue West from about noon until 10 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
95 York Mills
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates two fewer buses along the route during Monday-to-Friday rush hours. During morning rush hours, it decreases the frequency of service from every 2½ minutes to every 2 minutes 40 seconds. During afternoon rush hours, it decreases the frequency from every 3 minutes 40 seconds to every 4 minutes.
106 York University
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates one less bus along the route during Monday-to-Friday morning rush hours. It decreases the frequency of service from every 8 minutes 15 seconds to every 9½ minutes.
196 York University Rocket
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC temporarily operates three fewer buses along the route before 10:30 a.m. Mondays to Fridays and during Monday-to-Friday afternoon rush hours. It also temporarily operates one less bus from about 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. Before noon Mondays to Fridays, it decreases the frequency of service from every 2 minutes to every 2 minutes 15 seconds. From noon until about 3 p.m., it decreases the frequency from every 2 minutes 15 seconds to every 2½ minutes. During afternoon rush hours, it decreases the frequency from every 2 minutes 20 seconds to every 2 minutes 45 seconds.
Adjusting the schedules of current routes
34 Eglinton East
Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC adjusts the schedule of the first three westbound buses Mondays to Fridays to improve the reliability of the service. The buses still leave Markham and Kingston Roads at 5:18, 5:28 and 5:40 a.m., but arrive at other stops along the route at different times than currently.
The TTC also decreases the frequency of service during Monday-to-Friday rush hours.
105 Dufferin North
A Region of York project to rebuild Dufferin Street north of Steeles Avenue West likely will delay bus service. Starting Tuesday, February 17, the TTC is temporarily operating one more bus along the route until about 7 p.m. Mondays to Fridays to maintain regular schedules during the project.
Adding one more bus allows the TTC to maintain a frequency of every 30 minutes from about 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. Although the frequency remains the same as currently, the TTC adjusts the schedules to change the times of individual trips.
The TTC also decreases the frequency of service during Monday-to-Friday rush hours.
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