Update — November 20, 2:33 p.m.: YRT has confirmed detours during the parades in Keswick and Newmarket.
Santa is a busy man as Santa Claus Parades and other events affect transit services this weekend.
This week’s post appears in two parts.
This part describes events in Acton (Halton Hills), Barrie, Beaverton (Brock), Bowmanville (Clarington), Bradford, Brampton, Georgetown (Halton Hills), Holland Landing (East Gwillimbury) and Keswick (Georgina).
Part two describes events in Kitchener, Milton, Newcastle (Clarington), Newmarket, Oakville, Oshawa, Weston (Toronto) and Waterloo.
The events affect these routes:
Barrie Transit — 10 Livingston, 11 Bayfield, 12 Blake, 13 Cundles East, 15 Letitia South, 16 College, 18 St. Vincent, 20 RVH, 24 Edgehill, 28 East Hanmer, 30 Yonge, 31 Essa, 33 Innisdale, 34 Ardagh, 39 Hurst, 41 Allandale.
Brampton Transit — 1 Queen, 2 Main, 24 Van Kirk.
Durham Region Transit — 401 Simcoe, 402 King, 405 Central Park, 406 Dean, 410 Olive - Harmony, 411 Grandview, 412 Adelaide, 501 Aspen Springs, 502 Liberty.
GO Transit — 21 Milton / Mississauga - Union, 31 Guelph / Georgetown - Union, 33 Guelph / Georgetown - York Mills, 34 Brampton - York Mills local via Dixon, 35 Brampton - York Mills local via Highway 27, 68 Barrie - Newmarket, 69 Beaverton - Newmarket, 69A Sutton - Newmarket, 81 Beaverton - Whitby, 90 Newcastle - Oshawa, 94 Oshawa - Yorkdale via Highway 2.
Grand River Transit — 1 Stanley Park, 2 Forest Hills, 3 Ottawa South, 4 Glasgow, 5 Erb West, 6 Bridgeport, 7A Fairview Park via Connaught, 7B Fairview Park via Weber, 7C Conestoga Mall, 7D UW via University, 7E UW via Columbia, 7F Fairview Park via Wilson, 8 Fairview via Courtland, 8 Fairview via Franklin, 8 University via Weber, 8 University via Westmount, 11 Country Hill, 15 Frederick, 18 Guelph Street, 19 Victoria South, 20 Victoria Hills, 22 Laurentian West, 23 Idlewood, 24 Highland, 25 Queen South, 35 Eastbridge, iXpress
Oakville Transit — 2 Lakeshore, 14 Lakeshore West, 15 Bridge, 17 Kerr, Santa Shuttle.
Toronto Transit Commission — 52 Lawrence West, 58 Malton, 79 Scarlett Road, 89 Weston.
York Region Transit — 44 Bristol - London, 51 Holland Landing, 54 Bayview North, 55 Davis, 56 Eagle - Gorham, 521 / 522 Newmarket community bus.
The Friday, November 20 events affecting transit are: Brampton Annual Tree-Lighting Ceremony; Newmarket Main Street Candle Light Parade and Tree-Lighting, Ontario Hockey League action.
The Saturday, November 21 events affecting transit are: Barrie Santa Claus Parade, Beaverton Santa Claus Parade, Bowmanville Santa Claus Parade, Bradford Santa Claus Parade, Brampton Board of Trade Santa Claus Parade, Georgetown Santa Claus Parade, Keswick Santa Claus Parade, Kitchener - Waterloo Santa Claus Parade, Newmarket Santa Claus Parade, Oakville Santa Claus Parade, Santa’s Parade of Lights (Oshawa).
The Sunday, November 22 events affecting transit are: Acton Firefighters Santa Claus Parade, East Gwillimbury Santa Claus Parade, Milton Santa Claus Parade, Newcastle Santa Claus Parade, Weston Santa Claus Parade.
Acton
Acton Firefighters Santa Claus Parade
The Region of Halton and the Town of Halton Hills are closing
- Mill Street East,
- Queen Street between Churchill Road and Young Street and
- Young Street between Queen and Mill Streets
in downtown Acton to accommodate the annual parade.
GO Transit is detouring bus service during the event.
31 Guelph / Georgetown - Union
(GO has confirmed the detour.)
From about 12:30 until 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, eastbound buses operate along their regular route to Guelph Street (Highway 7) and Main Street North (Regional Road 25), then detour:
northward along Main;
east- and southward along Wallace Street;
eastward along McDonald Boulevard; and then
southward along Churchill Road North to Queen Street,
resuming their regular route eastward along Queen.Eastbound buses skip all regular stops on Main Street North, Mill Street East, Young Street and Queen Street between Young Street and Churchill Road.
Westbound buses reverse this routing.
Westbound buses skip all regular stops on Queen Street between Churchill Road and Young Street, Young Street, Mill Street East and Main Street North.
The Annual Tree-Lighting Ceremony in Brampton and Santa Claus Parades in Brampton and Georgetown also affect this route.
Barrie
Barrie Santa Claus Parade
The City of Barrie is closing
- Bradford Street between Brock and Dunlop Street and
- Dunlop Street between Bradford and Bayfield Streets
and other streets in downtown Barrie on Saturday afternoon to accommodate the Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce’s annual parade.
Barrie Transit and GO Transit are detouring bus services during the parade.
41 Allandale
34 Ardagh
11 Bayfield
12 Blake
16 College
13 Cundles East
28 East Hanmer
24 Edgehill
31 Essa
39 Hurst
33 Innisdale
10 Livingston
15 Letitia South
20 RVH
18 St. Vincent
30 Yonge
BT has not announced detours, but from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, passengers should expect delays and detours.
GO Transit
68 Barrie - Newmarket
From 5 until 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, southbound buses leave the Downtown Barrie Transit Terminal and proceed:
southward along Maple Avenue;
westward along Simcoe Street;
southward along Toronto Street and Lakeshore Drive; and then
westward along Tiffin Street to Essa Road,
resuming their regular route southwestward along Essa.Southbound buses skip their regular stops along Bradford Street between Simcoe Street and Tiffin Street / Essa Road.
Northbound buses reverse this routing.
Northbound buses skip their regular stops along Bradford Street between Tiffin Street / Essa Road and Dunlop Street West.
The parade in Bradford also affects service along this route.
Beaverton
Beaverton Santa Claus Parade
The Region of Durham and the Township of Brock are closing
- Simcoe Street (Regional Roads 15 and 23) between Mara Road and Osborne Street,
- Osborne Street (Regional Road 23) between Simcoe and Bay Streets
and other streets in central Beaverton Saturday morning and afternoon to accommodate the annual parade.
GO Transit is detouring buses during the event.
69 Beaverton - Newmarket
No GO buses operate or from Beaverton along this route while the parade is taking place.
82 Beaverton - Whitby
From 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., southbound buses start their trips at Park Avenue and Osborne Street, then proceed:
southward along Osborne Street; and then
eastward along Fifth Concession Thorah to Simcoe Street,
resuming their regular route eastward along Simcoe.Southbound buses skip their regular stops along Simcoe Street between Mara Road and the Fifth Concession.
Northbound buses operate along their regular route to Simcoe Street and York Street, then detour:
southward along York; and then westward along Park Avenue to Osborne Street, ending their trips.
Northbound buses skip their regular stops along Simcoe Street between York and Osborne Streets.
Bowmanville
Bowmanville Santa Claus Parade
The Region of Durham and the Municipality of Clarington are closing several streets in downtown Bowmanville, including
- Church Streets East and West between Liberty and Scugog Streets North,
- King Streets East and West between Scugog and Liberty Streets,
- Liberty Street South between King and Memorial Park (at Park Street) and
- Scugog Street North between Church and King Streets West
on Saturday morning to accommodate the annual parade.
Durham Region Transit and GO Transit are detouring buses during the event.
DRT
501 Aspen Springs
(DRT has confirmed the detour.)
On Saturday, November 21, the bus that usually leaves Church and Temperance Streets at 9:15 a.m. follows its regular route to the Clarington Centre and then to Roenigk Drive and King Street West. At Roenigk and King it detours westward along King and southward along Clarington Boulevard to the Clarington Centre.
Starting at 10:15 a.m., all buses operate in a circular route from the Clarington Centre, at Clarington Boulevard and Prince William Boulevard, proceeding:
westward along Prince William;
southward along Green Road;
northwestward along Boswell Drive;
eastward along King Street West;
southward along Martin Road (Regional Road 57);
westward along Aspen Springs Drive;
southward along West Side Drive;
eastward along Base Line Road West;
northward along Regional Road 57 and Waverley Road;
east- and northward along Roenigk Drive;
westward along King; and then
southward along Clarington Boulevard to the Clarington Centre,
ending their trips.(Buses leaving the Clarington Centre travel along their regular route to Roenigk and King, then detour westward along King to the Clarington Centre.)
Regular service resumes after the parade finishes at about 12:45 p.m.
502 Liberty
(DRT has confirmed the detour.)
Starting at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, November 21, all buses leave from the Clarington Centre, proceeding:
westward along Prince William Boulevard;
northward along Green Road;
eastward along King Street West;
southward along Regional Road 57;
eastward along Baseline Roads West and East;
northward along Simpson Avenue;
eastward along King Street East;
northward along Mearns Avenue;
west- and southward along Apple Blossom Boulevard;
westward along Concession Street East;
northward along Liberty Street North;
eastward along Longworth Avenue;
southward along Mearns Avenue;
westward along Freeland Drive and Bons Avenue;
southward along Scugog Street North;
westward along Longworth Avenue;
southward along Regional Road 57;
northward along Waverley Road;
east- and northward along Roenigk Drive;
westward along King Street West; and then
southward along Clarington Boulevard to the Clarington Centre.(Buses operate along a detour route from the Clarington Centre to Base Line Road and Liberty Street South, then operate along their regular route to Longworth Avenue and Scugog Street North, then along a detour route back to the Clarington Centre.)
Regular service resumes after the parade finishes at about 12:45 p.m.
GO Transit
90 Newcastle - Oshawa
(GO has confirmed this detour.)
From 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, westbound buses operate along their regular route to King Street East and Haines Street, then detour:
southward along Haines;
westward along Baseline Roads East and West;
northward along Regional Road 57 and Waverley Road; and then
east- and northward along Roenigk Drive to King Street West,
resuming their regular route westward along King West.Westbound buses skip their regular stops along King Streets East and West between Haines Street and Roenigk Drive.
Eastbound buses reverse this routing.
Eastbound buses skip their regular stops along King Streets West and East between Roenigk Drive and Haines Street.
Bradford
Bradford Santa Claus Parade
The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury is closing various streets in central Bradford, including the intersection of Barrie and Holland Streets, to accommodate this year’s parade.
GO Transit is detouring bus service during the event.
68 Barrie - Newmarket
(GO has confirmed the detour.)
From about 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, southbound buses operate along their regular route to Barrie and John Streets, then detour:
eastward along John Street East; and then
southward along Colborne Street to Holland Street East,
resuming their regular route eastward along Holland.Southbound buses skip their regular stops on Barrie Street between John and Holland Streets and on Holland Street East between Barrie Street / Simcoe Road and Colborne Street.
Northbound buses reverse this routing.
Northbound buses skip their regular stops on Holland Street East between Colborne Street and Barrie Street / Simcoe Road and on Barrie between Holland and John Streets.
The parade in Barrie also affects service along this route.
Brampton
Brampton events include the Annual Tree-lighting Ceremony and the Brampton Board of Trade Santa Claus Parade.
Annual Christmas Tree-Lighting Ceremony
The City of Brampton is closing
- the curbside southbound lane of Main Street South and
- Wellington Street West between George and Main Streets South
on Friday evening to accommodate the ceremony.
The event will likely affect Brampton Transit and GO Transit services.
Brampton Transit
2 Main
From 5 until 8 p.m. on Friday, November 20, passengers on southbound buses may experience delays.
GO Transit
31 Guelph / Georgetown - Union
33 Guelph / Georgetown - York Mills
(GO has not confirmed the detours. this post describes how GO has detoured buses during previous events that closed Wellington Street West.)
From 5 until 8 p.m. on Friday, November 20, southbound buses operate along their regular route to the Downtown Brampton Transit Terminal, then proceed:
westward along Nelson Street West;
southward along Mill Street North
westward along Queen Street West
southward along Mill Street South; and then
eastward along Frederick Street to Main Street South,
resuming their regular route southward along Main.Northbound buses operate along their regular route to Main Street South and Frederick Street, then detour:
westward along Frederick;
northward along Mill Steet South
eastward along Queen Street West;
northward along Mill Street North;
eastward along Nelson Street West; and then
northward along George Street North to the Downtown Brampton Transit Terminal,
resuming their regular routes.The Santa Claus Parades in Acton, Brampton and Georgetown also affect the 31 Guelph / Georgetown - Union route.
Brampton Board of Trade Santa Claus Parade
The City of Brampton is closing
- Main Streets North and South between Vodden Street and Charolais Boulevard and
- Queen Streets East and West between George and Centre Streets
on Saturday evening to accommodate the Brampton Board of Trade’s 14th annual parade.
Brampton Transit and GO Transit are detouring bus services during the event.
The City is setting up barriers at the intersection of Queen and Main Streets to accommodate east - west bus traffic along Queen and Peel Regional Police officers will direct buses through gaps in the parade.
Brampton Transit
2 Main
(Brampton Transit has confirmed the detour.)
From 4 until 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, southbound buses operate along their regular route to Main Street North and Vodden Street, then detour:
westward along Vodden Street West;
southward along Pleasantview Avenue;
eastward along Rosedale Avenue West;
southward along Mill Street North;
westward along Nelson Street West;
southward along McMurchy Avenues North and South; and then
eastward along Charolais Boulevard to Main Street South,
resuming their regular route southward along Main.Southbound buses skip their regular stops on Main Street North south of Vodden Street, at Rosedale Avenue, south of David Street, at Market and Church Streets, opposite Nelson Street and at Queen Street and on Main Street North south of Wellington Street, opposite Woodbrook Drive, at Clarence Street, south of Harold Street, at Nanwood and Elgin Drives, opposite Peel Village Drive and at Charolais Boulevard.
Northbound buses reverse this routing.
Northbound buses skip their regular stops on Main Street South at Charolais Boulevard, north of Peel Village Drive, at Elgin and Nanwood Drives, south of Harold Street, at Clarence Street, north of Guest Street, at Woodbrook Drive, Wellington and John Streets and on Main Street North north of Queen Street, at Theatre Lane, Church and Alexander Streets, Sproule Drive and Vodden Street.
You can see a map of the detour route here. (.pdf)
1 Queen
(Brampton Transit has confirmed the detour.)
From 4 until 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, eastbound buses operate along their regular route to the Downtown Brampton Terminal, then detour:
southward along George Street North;
eastward along Queen Streets West and East to Theatre Lane / Chapel Street,
resuming their regular route eastward along Queen East.Eastbound buses skip their regular stop on Nelson Street West at Main Street North.
Westbound buses operate along their regular route to Queen Street East and Chapel Street / Theatre Lane, then detour:
eastward along Queen Streets East and West; and then
northward along George Street North into the Downtown Brampton Transit Terminal,
resuming their regular route.You can see a map of the detour route here. (.pdf)
24 Van Kirk
(Brampton Transit has confirmed the detour.)
From 4 until 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, southbound buses operate along their regular route to Vodden Street West and Pleasantview Avenue then detour:
southward along Pleasantview;
eastward along Rosedale Avenue West;
southward along Mill Street North;
westward along Nelson Street West;
ending their trips in the Downtown Brampton Transit Terminal.Southbound buses skip their regular stops on English Street east of Vodden Street West, at Talbot Street, east of Alison Court, opposite Murray Street and at Main Street North and on Main Street North south of Vodden Street, at Rosedale Avenue, south of David Street, at Market and Church Streets and opposite Nelson Street.
Northbound buses start their trips in the Downtown Brampton Transit Terminal, then proceed:
northward along George Street North;
westward along Railroad Street;
northward along Mill Street North;
westward along Rosedale Avenue West; and then
northward along Pleasantview Avenue to Vodden Street West,
resuming their regular route westward along Vodden.Northbound buses skip their regular stops on Main Street North at Church and Alexander Streets, Sproule Drive, south of Vodden Street and north of Vodden Street and on English Street west of Main Street North, at Murray and Moore Streets and Vodden Street West.
You can see a map of the detour route here. (.pdf)
GO Transit
31 Guelph / Georgetown - Union
(GO has confirmed the detour.)
From 4 until 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, southbound buses operate along their regular route to Main Street North and Vodden Street, then detour:
eastward along Vodden East;
southward along Centre Street North;
eastward along Queen Streets East and West;
northward along George Street North;
into the Downtown Brampton Transit Terminal;
westward along Nelson Street West;
southward along McMurchy Avenues North and South; and then
eastward along Charolais Boulevard to Main Street South,
resuming their regular route southward along Main.Southbound buses skip their regular stops on George Street and on Main Street South between Wellington Street and Charolais Boulevard.
Northbound buses operate along their regular route to Main Street South and Charolais Boulevard, then detour:
westward along Charolais;
northward along McMurchy Avenues South and North;
eastward along Nelson Street West;
into the Downtown Brampton Transit Terminal;
southward along George Street North;
eastward along Queen Streets West and East;
northward along Centre Street North; and then
westward along Vodden Street East to Main North,
resuming their regular route northward along Main.Northbound buses skip their regular stops on Main Street South between Charolais Boulevard and Wellington Street and on Wellington Street West at Main Street North.
The Annual Tree-Lighting Ceremony in Brampton and the Santa Claus Parades in Acton and Georgetown also affect this route.
34 Brampton - York Mills local via Dixon
35 Brampton - York Mills local via Highway 27
(GO has confirmed the detours.)
From 4 until 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, eastbound buses start their trips operate at the Downtown Brampton Terminal, then proceed:
westward along Nelson Street West;
southward along George Street North; and then
eastward along Queen Streets West and East to Chapel Street / Theatre Lane,
resuming their regular route eastward along Queen.Westbound buses operate along their regular route to Queen Street East and Chapel Street / Theatre Lane, then detour:
westward along Queen Streets East and West; and then
northward along George Street North
into the Downtown Brampton Transit Terminal,
ending their trips.
Brock
See Beaverton
Clarington
See Bowmanville and Newcastle.
East Gwillimbury
See Holland Landing.
Georgetown
Georgetown Santa Claus Parade
The Region of Halton and the Town of Halton Hills are closing
- Guelph Street (Highway 7) between Sinclair Avenue and Mill Street and
- Mill Street between Guelph and Charles Streets and
other streets in downtown Georgetown on Saturday evening to accommodate the Georgetown Lions Club’s annual event. GO Transit is detouring bus service during the event.
31 Guelph / Georgetown - Union
(GO has confirmed the detour.)
From 5 until 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, eastbound buses traveling from Georgetown start their trips at the Georgetown GO Station, then proceed:
eastward along King Street;
southward along Mountainview Road North; and then
south- and eastward along Armstrong Avenue to Guelph Street,
resuming their regular route eastward along Guelph.Westbound buses traveling to Georgetown reverse this routing.
Eastbound buses traveling from Guelph operate along their regular route to Highway 7 and Wildwood Road, then detour:
eastward along Wildwood;
southward along Confederation Street and Mountainview Road North; then
westward along King Street to Georgetown GO Station.After leaving the station, buses proceed:
eastward along King Street;
southward along Mountainview Road; and then
south- and eastward along Armstrong Avenue to Guelph Street,
resuming their regular route at eastward along Guelph.Westbound buses traveling to Guelph reverse this routing.
Buses skip all stops on Guelph Street between Wildwood Road and Sinclair Avenue and their stop on Main Street South at Wesleyan Street.
The Annual Tree-Lighting Ceremony in Brampton and Santa Claus Parades in Acton and Brampton also affect this route.
Georgina
See Keswick
Guelph
Ontario Hockey League action
All Guelph Transit routes
You can ride any Guelph Transit bus for free on Friday, November 20 to the Guelph Storm game against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds at 7:30 p.m. — if you have a valid ticket to the game. You can ride free of fare to and from the Sleeman Centre on Friday evening after 5 p.m. by simply showing the Guelph Transit driver your game ticket.
Halton Hills
See Acton and Georgetown
Holland Landing
East Gwillimbury Santa Claus Parade
The Town of East Gwillimbury switches its parade every second year from Sharon to Holland Landing. This year’s parade is on Sunday, November 22.
York Region Transit operates buses on the 52 Holland Landing route Mondays to Saturdays only, so the parade does not affect transit services.
However, YRT staff are operating the Viva holiday bus, a 40-foot Winter Wonderland float, during the parade to collect new mittens, hats and gloves from parade-goers. YRT is donating your gifts to three charitable organizations in York Region: Blue Door Shelters, Inn From The Cold Inc. and Street Outreach.
Keswick
Keswick Santa Claus Parade
The Town of Georgina and the Region of York are closing
- Metro Road South between the Queensway South and Simcoe Avenue,
- the Queensway South between Biscayne Boulevard and Metro Road South and between Simcoe Avenue and Church Street and
- Simcoe Avenue between Metro Road South and the Queensway South
on Saturday afternoon to accommodate this year’s parade.
GO Transit and York Region Transit are detouring bus services during the event.
GO Transit
69 Beaverton - Newmarket
69A Sutton - Newmarket
(GO has confirmed the detour.)
On Saturday, November 21, from about 1:30 p.m. until 4 p.m., southbound buses operate along their regular route to Metro Road North and Old Homestead Road, then detour:
eastward along Old Homestead Road;
southward along Woodbine Avenue; and then
westward along Glenwoods Avenue to the Queensway South,
resuming their regular route southward along Queensway South.Northbound buses reverse the route.
The parade in Newmarket also affects this route.
YRT
51 Keswick Local
From 1:30 until 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, YRT buses do not operate along the route.
(YRT has confirmed that it is canceling service on this route during this parade.)
YRT staff are operating the Viva holiday bus, a 40-foot Winter Wonderland float, during the parade to collect new mittens, hats and gloves from parade-goers. YRT is donating your gifts to three charitable organizations in York Region: Blue Door Shelters, Inn From The Cold Inc. and Street Outreach.