Compiled by Pete Coulman

May 11, 1968

Coincident with the extension of the BLOOR-DANFORTH SUBWAY to Islington, service begins on a new route on Burnhamthorpe Road, replacing a branch of the 50 KINGSWAY route. Buses on 50 BURNHAMTHORPE operate out of Islington station via north on Islington, turning right and around the traffic circle and then northwest on Cordova Avenue and west on Burnhamthorpe. After looping counterclockwise via south on Renforth, east on Rexton Blvd and north on Mulgorve Drive, buses return via Burnhamthorpe Rd, Cordova Avenue and Central Park Roadway to Islington Avenue. Southbound buses on Islington will unload passengers for the subway on Aberfoyle, just east of Islington, while northbound buses will load in the Islington station bus bays. Passengers must pay separate fare when transferring between subway and bus.

April 8, 1970

Due to the temporary closure of the Rathburn bridge over Highway #27 for reconstruction, service is diverted for the next six months. Buses follow the regular route to Burnhamthorpe and Renforth and then proceed via north on the West Mall, west on Rathburn, looping through Centennial loop, returning via the reverse route. No change to destination signs, although window cards are displayed reading “BURNHAMTHORPE 50 CENTENNIAL PARK/ISLINGTON STN”

November 11, 1970

With Rathburn bridge reopening, the construction detour ends. However, buses are rerouted on Burnhamthorpe west of Renforth to a new off-street loop at Mill Road. Service is eliminated on Rexton and Mulgorve.

January 21, 1973

With the elimination of the TTC’s zone fare system, all buses now enter Islington subway station and passengers can transfer between bus and subway for free.

Mid 1980s

Some buses are fitted with the new “all-black” style of TTC rollsigns:

February 18, 1996

As part of a series of system-wide service cuts resulting from the elimination of provincial subsidies for public transportation, all service after 10 p.m., seven days a week, is eliminated.

September 3, 1996

Weekday late evening service is partially restored using a new branch. Buses operate every forty minutes from Islington station via Islington, Cordova and Burnhamthorpe, looping via Mill Road, Rathburn and Kipling.

September 3, 1998

Last day of service on the 50A branch. Weekday late evening service on Burnhamthorpe is eliminated due to low ridership.

November 23, 2008

As part of the TTC’s Ridership Growth Strategy, late evening service is restored on 50 BURNHAMTHORPE. Buses operate 7 days a week, whenever the subway is open.

50 Burnhamthorpe Image Archive

	An official TTC map showing 50 BURNHAMTHORPE operations effective December 2014.
	The outside of the TTC's official timetable of 50 BURNHAMTHORPE operations, effective September 5, 1999. Donated by Pete Coulman.
	The inside of the TTC's timetable for 50 BURNHAMTHORPE operations, effective September 5, 1989. Donated by Pete Coulman.
	TTC GM New Look bus #7182 pulls out of Islington station, in service on 50 BURNHAMTHORPE. This photograph was taken in 1978 by Bob Hussey, and is donated by Pete Coulman.
	TTC Orion VII #7943 is seen westbound on the 50 BURNHAMTHORPE route, having just crossed the West Mall. The picture was taken by Edward Brain on November 3rd, 2016.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7955 is on 50 BURNHAMTHORPE school service on Mill Road at Silverthorn Collegiate on March 12, 2018. Unfortunately, there are no students, as it's March Break. Photo by John Marbella.
	TTC Flyer D-800 bus #7986 departs Islington Station on route 50 BURNHAMTHORPE in the 1980s. Photo by Bob Hussey.
	Jelo Gutierrez Cantos snapped an Orion VII bus #8088 peeking at Islington station's bay operating on TTC's 50 BURNHAMTHORPE line on January 31, 2013.
	TTC Flyer D901 bus #8381 leaves Islington station in service on 50 BURNHAMTHORPE in this mid 1980s shot by Bob Hussey. This photograph was donated by Pete Coulman.