A Premium Express transfer, used for the 136 (via Winford Heights) and 137 (via Summerhill) routes, circa 1988)

Compiled by Jeffrey Kay

In the fall of 1988 the TTC experimented with a new form of bus service with one seat service into the financial core at a premium fare. One of the reasons for the experiment was to try and reduce passenger congestion at the Bloor-Yonge subway interchange. Service on route 137 from the Rosedale / Sherbourne area only lasted for a year, but the 136 PREMIUM EXPRESS via Winford survives to this day as 144 DOWNTOWN / DON VALLEY EXPRESS.

September 6, 1988

A new PREMIUM EXPRESS service begins operation on this date. Buses on the Summerhill branch begin by operating around the same loop as 82 ROSEDALE buses, north on Glen, east and north on Douglas, west on Glen, west on Summerhill, south on Maclennan, south on Scholfield, and east on Highland, then south on Glen, west on Elm, south on Sherbourne, looping downtown west on Richmond, south on Simcoe and east on Adelaide, then returning north over the reverse route. "A" branch buses begin at Huntley and Sherbourne, then run east on Bloor, and south on Sherbourne and over the same route as "Summerhill" buses, returning north on Sherbourne, and west on Bloor to Huntley. It is unknown how these buses turn around for a second southbound trip. Buses run express both ways between Bloor and Sherbourne and Church at Richmond or Adelaide. This service is operated in both directions during the morning and afternoon peak periods only, Monday through Friday. A 50 cent fare supplement over the regular fare was charged on this route. The two branches combined for a 10 minute service in the peak direction.

December 30, 1988

Last day of operation for "A" trips to and from Bloor. Buses continue to operate between Summerhill and Simcoe Street.

September 1, 1989

This is the last day of operation for the route. Service discontinued due to low ridership.

137 Premium Express via Summerhill Image Archive

	The front page of an official TTC timetable detailing the services of 137 PREMIUM EXPRESS VIA SUMMERHILL, effective September 6, 1988.
	The inside page of an official TTC timetable detailing operations of the 137 PREMIUM EXPRESS VIA SUMMERHILL route, effective September 6, 1988.
	The outside of the TTC's official timetable from January 3, 1989 detailing the revised operations of 137 PREMIUM EXPRESS VIA SUMMERHILL.
	The inside of an official TTC timetable, effective January 3, 1989, detailing the operations of 137 PREMIUM EXPRESS VIA SUMMERHILL.
	The September 1988 issue of Riders News explains the concept behind the first two premium express routes: 136 PREMIUM EXPRESS VIA WYNFORD and 137 PREMIUM EXPRESS VIA SUMMERHILL.