Compiled by Jeffrey Kay
Map by Jelo Guiterrez-Cantos

In September 1983, transit-priority lanes were installed on Allen Road, north from Wilson station on the Spadina subway. The TTC felt that, by taking advantage of these lanes, passengers taking services on Sheppard, Finch and Steeles Avenue could be routed away from the Yonge subway and onto the Spadina line which had capacity to spare. Services began the day after labour day, 1983, on 117 ALNESS (Steeles) and 118 FINCH via ALLEN, bolstering service that had already begun on 116 OAKDALE a year before.

These services did not prove to be successful, and the segments which duplicated the popular mainlines were either dropped, or reabsorbed. However, some routes survived where new service was provided (see 117 ALNESS), or where rush hour traffic was sufficient to maintain the line. Route 118 FINCH via ALLEN, which connected remote northwestern Etobicoke with the subway, proved to be sufficiently popular during rush hour to maintain its existence for over twelve years.

A 118 FINCH VIA ALLEN transfer, effective March 23, 1992.

September 6, 1983

Route established, replacing part of the 36 FINCH WEST route. Buses operated during rush hours from Wilson station, north on Transit Road, north on Allen Road, west on Finch Avenue, south on Islington, west on Albion Road, west on Finch Avenue and north on Humberline to loop at Albion Road. Additional service operated during the midday and evenings between Wilson station and Rumike (west of Weston Road), looping via Rumike, Lindylou and Jayzel.

Service operated out of Wilson Garage.

December 30, 1983

Midday and evening service removed on the Rumike branch.

January 1, 1984

Service moved into the newly-opened North Terminal at Wilson station.

January 6, 1986

New rush-hour branch established between Wilson station and Humber College. Buses follow the regular route to Humber College Boulevard and loop via north on Humber College, east on Carrier and south on Woodbine Downs. Service to Humberline and Albion replaced by an extension of the 96 WILSON route.

November 26, 1990

In conjunction with the opening of Finch Avenue between Islington and Avenue Road, 118 FINCH via ALLEN buses follow the new stretch of road to Albion and then northwest on Albion to the existing loop at Humberline. Service on the 118A branch to Humber College ends at the end of afternoon rush hour, Friday, November 23, 1990. (See a pamphlet of this route reorganization here: page 1, page 2)

January 4, 1993

Davenport Garage closes and buses on this route were shifted from Wilson Garage to Arrow Road Garage.

February 16, 1996

Last day of operation.

Due to system-wide reductions resulting from the elimination of provincial operating subsidies, all service on 118 FINCH via ALLEN is permanently cancelled. Service is partially replaced by 106A YORK UNIVERSITY EXPRESS with a stop added on Dufferin and Finch the following Monday, February 19. Service on the sections of the former route is provided by the 36 FINCH WEST and 73 ROYAL YORK routes.

118 Finch Via Allen Image Archive

	The front of the official TTC timetable for 118 FINCH VIA ALLEN, effective September 6, 1983, the launch of service.
	The inside of the TTC's official timetable of 118 FINCH VIA ALLEN route, promoting the launch of service on September 6, 1983.
	TTC GM "New Look" bus 8051 deadheads back along Finch in June 2000, more than four years after the demise of the route. Photographer Jim Blair asked the driver to post the 118 FINCH VIA ALLEN exposure for old times' sake.