Compiled by Jeffrey Kay
With assistance by Pete Coulman
Map by John Calnan
See Also
Bathurst Street was established as the first concession line west of Yonge Street in the old town of York. In the mid-to-late 19th century, it grew as a major street connecting Toronto’s downtown to its northwestern suburbs. It was first lined with houses and, as the city grew, became a commercial strip serving those communities.
Transit service began early on Bathurst Street, with horse-drawn streetcars operated by the Toronto Railway Company starting service on July 27, 1885. As the early serve evolved into the BATHURST STREETCAR, service pushed north with the growth of the city. On December 21, 1921, the last of those northward extensions took tracks to St. Clair, where they remain to this day.
Streetcar tracks did not extend north of St. Clair Avenue because that was where the city of Toronto ended. However, the urban development of Toronto did not stop at the city limits. North of St. Clair, new suburbs were building up in the Township of York. The Township of York contracted with the TTC to build streetcar services in these areas (see the ROGERS ROAD and OAKWOOD streetcars, but did not propose extending tracks on Bathurst north of St. Clair. This is because the Nordheimer ravine (today’s Cedervale Park) limited development along Bathurst Street. Service was needed further west, on Oakwood Avenue. By the time suburban development had leapfrogged around the ravine and started running up Bathurst Street north of Eglinton, it was the 1930s, and the TTC did not have the resources to extend streetcar service that far. The townships of York and North York, looking to serve these new developments, had to rely on bus service instead.
December 1, 1938
On 4:40 p.m. on this date, service begins on the new BATHURST BUS. Buses run from St. Clair Avenue (using an on-street loop via west on St. Clair, north on Raglan and east on Heathdale) via north on Bathurst to Glencairn Avenue. At Glencairn, buses wye in the intersection and head back south. SErvice operates Mondays through Saturdays, during rush hours only. One bus provides a twenty-minute headway. This bus likely operated out of Davenport Garage from the first day.
The service was operated by the TTC under contract to the townships of York and North York and the Village of Forest Hill as part of the Township of York Railways. This meant that any profits were paid to the townships, and the townships were responsible for any operating deficits. Transfers were likely possible with the Township portion of the EGLINTON WEST bus.
January 22, 1939 to March 31, 1946
A special short turn seasonal Sunday service is established between St. Clair and Holy Blossom Temple (one block south of Eglinton) between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. This service was for the benefit of the Sunday School and generally operated from early November until late March, each year.
July 22, 1940
Bus service is extended west on Glencairn to Dufferin, looping clockwise through a property on the northeast corner. The one bus now operates on a 30 minute headway.
October 1, 1941
Limited Sunday and holiday service is introduced, along with Saturday noon-hour and late afternoon service. Hours of service are now as follows: Monday through Friday 6:00-9:30 a.m. and 3:00-7:30 p.m. (every 15 minutes), Saturdays 6:00-9:30 a.m., Noon-2:15 p.m (every 15 minutes) and at 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 10:30, 11:00 and 11:30 p.m., Sundays and holidays 2:00-7:00 p.m. (every 30 minutes) plus 10:30 and 11:00 p.m.
December 13, 1941
Saturday service now operates continuously from noon until 7:30 p.m.
April 23, 1942
Buses are rerouted at the south end to loop through the new Vaughan loop, connecting with BATHURST streetcars. Buses operate south on Bathurst, west on St. Clair, south on Vaughan, east through Vaughan loop and north on Bathurst.
July 7, 1942
Regular stops are established along this route.
July 13, 1942
Hours of service increased, including Monday through Friday midday service, late morning and early evening Saturday service and early evening Sunday service. Service leaves Vaughan Loop Mondays through Saturdays between 6:00 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. and on Sundays and holidays from 2:00 p.m. to 11 p.m.
November 28, 1942
Last trips now depart St. Clair at midnight, seven days a week.
January 24, 1943
Sunday and holiday service now starts at 10:00 a.m.
June 1, 1947
The route is divided into two fare zones, with the boundary at Briar Hill and Bathurst.
September 26, 1949
A new on-street loop is established at the north end of the route. Buses now run west on Glencairn, north on Dufferin, east on Glen Park, south on Rosemount (now Capitol) and east on Glencairn.
August 7, 1951
A new service is established on Bathurst between Sheppard Avenue and St. Clair. This is not a TTC service, but one operated by “North York Bus Lines”, a subsidiary of Danforth Bus Lines, one of the independent bus companies offering transit services in the suburbs around Toronto. No free transfers are allowed with TTC services, and buses loop at the south end via west on St. Clair, southeast on Vaughan and north on Bathurst.
September 17, 1951
The St. Clair looping for the “Glencairn” TTC service is revised, with buses now running south on Bathurst beyond the Vaughan loop exit, then northwest on Vaughan and east through Vaughan loop.
May 1, 1952
The zone boundary at Briar Hill is removed for the TTC’s “Glencairn” service. The entire route is once again within a single fare zone. Note that the are collection procedures for the route operated by “North York Bus Lines” are unknown. There may have been restrictions against servicing passengers who traveled entirely south of Glencairn, to protect the previously existing TTC contract.
July 1, 1954
The newly formed Toronto Transit Commission takes responsibility for all transit service within the new Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto, replacing services that were previously operated by four private bus companies. This includes the old BATHURST route to Sheppard Avneue operated by Danforth bus lines.
On this date, a new branch is established on the TTC’s BATHURST BUS operating from Vaughan Loop via north on Bathurst and west on Sheppard to a loop at Wilson Heights Blvd., In addition, some short turn trips are operated north to Wilson that loop via north on Bathurst, west on Wilson, southwest on Richelieu, north on Stadacona, east on Wilson and south on Bathurst.
The existing route between St. Clair and the Glencairn/Dufferin intersection is now operated as part of the TTC regular network, and the contract with the three local municipalities (York North York and Forest Hill) ends. The southern part of the BATHURST BUS, south from the Bathurst/Lawrence intersection or west of the Glencairn/Beechmount intersection (near today’s Allen Road), is now part of the TTC’s central fare zone. Service beyond these points is in the first suburban zone. In addition, “Sheppard” buses enter the second suburban fare zone at York Downs.
|
BATHURST |
ST. CLAIR |
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | |
|
BATHURST |
ST. CLAIR |
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | |
|
BATHURST |
ST. CLAIR |
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | |
At some point in the mid 1950’s, additional peak period service on Saturday mornings and Saturday early afternoon ended, but the exact date is unknown. This article assumes that there was no Saturday peak service after this date.
November 29, 1954
A new short turn service is established to Melrose (halfway between Lawrence and Wilson), operating all day Monday through Saturday, except during the afternoon peak period. These buses loop via north on Bathurst, east on Melrose, south on Barse west on Marmion and south on Bathurst. During the afternoon rush hour, short turn service loops north of Wilson via De Quincy, Allingham, Almont and Chelsea. Note that Chelsea is an old street name and we are unable to match it to a current street name.
|
BATHURST |
ST. CLAIR |
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | |
|
BATHURST |
ST. CLAIR |
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | |
|
BATHURST |
ST. CLAIR |
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | |
|
BATHURST |
ST. CLAIR |
Monday to Saturday, 18 hours a day | |
 |
A TTC BATHURST BUS transfer circa 1955. |
February 20, 1955
Sunday service is now operated on the Melrose Branch. A new short turn service is established to York Downs, operating during rush hours only, replacing the morning rush hour service to Melrose and the afternoon rush hour service to Wilson. Buses on this new branch loop via north on Bathurst, east on York Downs, south on Armour Blvd, west on Newbury Lane and south on Bathurst.
|
BATHURST |
ST. CLAIR |
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | |
|
BATHURST |
ST. CLAIR |
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | |
|
BATHURST |
ST. CLAIR |
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | |
|
BATHURST |
ST. CLAIR |
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | |
July 11, 1955
“York Downs” buses are extended one block north to a new off-street loop at the southwest corner of Almore and Bathurst. Buses run counterclockwise through the loop.
July 1, 1956
Suburban fare zones 1 and 2 are merged into a single fare zone, removing the zone boundary at York Downs. All service north of Lawrence and west of Beechmount is now in Suburban Zone 1.
September 7, 1956
Service is assigned route #7. Branch letters are assigned as follows:
|
BATHURST |
7 |
SHEPPARD |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
B A T H U R S T |
7A |
DUFFERIN |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
BATHURST |
7B |
LAWRENCE |
|
Unscheduled short turns | ||
|
BATHURST |
7C |
MELROSE |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
BATHURST |
7D |
W I L S O N |
|
Unscheduled short turns | ||
|
BATHURST |
7E |
YORK DOWNS |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
February 18, 1957
Express service is introduced on the Sheppard branch during rush hour. These buses operate as a local service between Lawrence Avenue and the Sheppard/Wilson Heights intersection. South of Lawrence, buses stop only at Glencairn, Eglinton, St. Clair and Vaughan Loop.
|
BATHURST |
7 |
SHEPPARD |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
B A T H U R S T |
7A |
DUFFERIN |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
BATHURST |
7C |
MELROSE |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
BATHURST |
7E |
YORK DOWNS |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
B A T H U R S T E X P R E S S |
7F |
SHEPPARD |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
June 29, 1957
This is the last day of service on the 7C Melrose branch. It is replaced by an improvement in service on the main branch to Sheppard at most times. This change was originally made as a seasonal change but was made permanent in the fall of 1957.
February 2, 1959
A new rush hour service is established, extending trips north of the Sheppard/Wilson Heights intersection into the Bathurst Manor neighbourhood. Buses operate over the normal route to Sheppard and Wilmington and then operate via north on Wilmington, west on Overbrook and south on Wilson Heights, returning via east on Sheppard. This service runs express south of Lawrence Avenue, essentially replacing the 7F branch of the route.
|
BATHURST |
7 |
SHEPPARD |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
B A T H U R S T |
7A |
DUFFERIN |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
BATHURST |
7E |
YORK DOWNS |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
B A T H U R S T E X P R E S S |
7G |
WILMINGTON |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
September 14, 1959
Service to Wilmington in the Bathurst Manor area is expanded to include middays, Monday through Friday as well. During this period, buses operate as a local service over the entire route.
|
BATHURST |
7 |
SHEPPARD |
|
Monday to Friday evenings | ||
|
B A T H U R S T |
7A |
DUFFERIN |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
BATHURST |
7E |
YORK DOWNS |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
B A T H U R S T E X P R E S S |
7G |
WILMINGTON |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
BATHURST |
7H |
WILMINGTON |
|
Monday to Friday, midday | ||
August 2, 1960
A new Monday through Saturday daytime service is established to serve the new residential areas on Bathurst north of Sheppard Avenue. Buses on the 7J branch operate from St. Clair to Sheppard and beyond to Finch, looping via east on Finch, south on Muirkirk and west on Yorkview. In addition, Saturday daytime service is added to the Wilmington Branch. Scheduled service on the 7E branch to Almore Loop, just north of York Downs, ends at this time.
|
BATHURST |
7 |
SHEPPARD |
|
Monday to Saturday evenings | ||
|
B A T H U R S T |
7A |
DUFFERIN |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
B A T H U R S T E X P R E S S |
7G |
WILMINGTON |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
BATHURST |
7H |
WILMINGTON |
|
Monday to Friday, midday | ||
|
BATHURST |
7J |
F I N C H |
|
Monday to Saturday, daytime | ||
January 29, 1961
Sunday service (beginning approximately at 10 a.m.) is introduced on the Wilmington and Finch branches. Evening service is now provided seven days a week on both branches, until 1 a.m. The 7-Sheppard branch operates only on early Sunday mornings, before 10 a.m.
October 16, 1961
Service is extended north of Finch to a new off-street loop on Bathurst just north of Patricia, one block north of Drewry. Buses loop counterclockwise through this loop.
|
BATHURST |
7 |
SHEPPARD |
|
Early Sunday mornings | ||
|
B A T H U R S T |
7A |
DUFFERIN |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
B A T H U R S T E X P R E S S |
7G |
WILMINGTON |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
BATHURST |
7H |
WILMINGTON |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
BATHURST |
7J |
D R E W R Y |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
August 21, 1964
Drewry service extended north to Steels, looping counterclockwise around the triangle formed by the new and old Bathurst Street road alignments.
|
BATHURST |
7 |
SHEPPARD |
|
Early Sunday mornings | ||
|
B A T H U R S T |
7A |
DUFFERIN |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
B A T H U R S T E X P R E S S |
7G |
WILMINGTON |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
BATHURST |
7H |
WILMINGTON |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
BATHURST |
7J |
STEELES |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
November 1, 1964
Glencairn service is extended west from Dufferin to Caledonia, looping via north on Caledonia, east on Glen Park and south on Lansdowne.
|
B A T H U R S T |
7A |
CALEDONIA |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
B A T H U R S T E X P R E S S |
7G |
WILMINGTON |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
BATHURST |
7H |
WILMINGTON |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
BATHURST |
7J |
STEELES |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
December 31, 1964
Due to poor road conditions, the Glencairn-Caledonia looping is changed to operate via south on Lansdowne, west on Tycos, north on Caledonia and east on Glencairn. This routing became permanent on April 1, 1965
February 26, 1966
Coincident with the opening of the BLOOR-DANFORTH SUBWAY, service is extended south of Vaughan loop to Bathurst station, replacing a portion of the BATHURST streetcar.
The main branch of the BATHURST BUS now operates between Bathurst station and the existing loop at Steeles Avenue. This branch operates EXPRESS south of Lawrence Avenue during rush hours, with stops both ways at Glencairn, Eglinton, St. Clair and Dupont. Service on Wilmington is operated during rush hours as a local service, while at other times buses operate to the off-street loop at Sheppard and Wilson Heights. New service on Wilmington and Overbrook is provided by an extension of the 29 DUFFERIN bus.
A new peak-period short turn service is established from Bathurst station to Lawrence Avenue, looping via west on Lawrence, north on Brucewood, east on Covington and south on Bathurst.
A new overnight bus service is established running between St. Clair Avenue and the Exhibition, replacing night service on the BATHURST streetcar. At the south end buses loop via west on Fleet, west on Lakeshore, north on Strachan and east on Fleet, At the north end buses loop via northwest on Vahan, east on ST. Clair and south on Bathurst. Vaughan loop is closed.
|
BATHURST |
7 |
S T E E L E S |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
B A T H U R S T |
7A |
CALEDONIA |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
BATHURST |
7B |
L A W R E N C E |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
BATHURST |
7C |
S H E P P A R D |
|
Monday to Friday, midday | ||
|
BATHURST |
7D |
S T. C L A I R |
|
7 days a week, “owl” service | ||
|
BATHURST |
7E |
WILMINGTON |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
March 27, 1966
Night bus service now provided on Sunday mornings until the subway opens at 9 a.m.
|
BATHURST |
7 |
S T E E L E S |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
B A T H U R S T |
7A |
CALEDONIA |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
BATHURST |
7B |
L A W R E N C E |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
BATHURST |
7C |
S H E P P A R D |
|
Monday to Friday, midday | ||
|
BATHURST |
7D |
S T. C L A I R |
|
7 days a week, “owl” service | ||
|
BATHURST |
7E |
WILMINGTON |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
BATHURST |
7F |
S T E E L E S |
|
Limited early morning Sunday service | ||
NOTE: It is uncertain if the 7F branch designation was on the roll sign at this early date. The 7F branch is mentioned in a TTC notice for the route changes of March 30, 1974. This report uses the 7F for the early Sunday morning service beginning March 27, 1966. By the early 1980’s it is known that alternate early Sunday morning trips ran north to St. Clair and to Steeles.
April 23, 1967
The Steeles loop is revised to operate via north on Bathurst Street (the new alignment, not the street now known as Carpenter), east on Steeles, south on Village Gate, and west on Greenwin Village.
May 11, 1968
The hours of service to Wilmington is increased to 7 days a week, 18 hours a day, replacing the 7C “Sheppard”. Service on the 7A “Glencairn” branch is replaced by an extension of the 14 CHAPLIN bus.
April 26, 1970
The “Steeles” loop is revised to operate via north on Bathurst, west on Steeles and south on Old Bathurst (today known as Carpenter)
 |
A TTC BATHURST BUS transfer, circa 1974. Also used by 29 DUFFERIN and 14 GLENCAIRN buses. |
January 21, 1973
The zone fare system within the boundaries of Metropolitan Toronto is eliminated on this day. On the BATHURST BUS route, the zone boundaries on Bathurst at Lawrence, and on Glencairn at Beechmount are removed.
March 30, 1974
The 7E “Wilmington” branch is replaced by a new branch of the 84 SHEPPARD WEST bus, and by the new 7C branch that operates between Bathurst Station on Sheppard. 7C buses loop via east on Sheppard, north and west on Canyon and south on Bathurst. This branch operates until 9 p.m. every day.
The “Steeles” loop is also revised and now operates via west on Fisherville, north on Old Bathurst (now known as Carpenter), east on Steeles and south on Bathurst.
Short turn 7B service to Lawrence ends.
NOTE: It is not known when the EXPRESS peak period operation of the main “Steeles” branch ended. We believe it occurred co-incident with the extension of the YONGE SUBWAY to Finch Avenue on this date.
|
BATHURST |
7 |
S T E E L E S |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
BATHURST |
7C |
S H E P P A R D |
|
7 days a week, until 9 p.m. | ||
|
BATHURST |
7D |
S T. C L A I R |
|
7 days a week, “owl” service | ||
|
BATHURST |
7F |
S T E E L E S |
|
Limited early morning Sunday service | ||
November 24, 1974
The “Steeles” loop is now operated via east on Greenwin Village, north on Village Gate, west on Steeles Avenue and south on Bathurst.
January 28, 1978
Coincident with the opening of the SPADINA SUBWAY, the BATHURST BUS is restructured. Three separate branches now operate during all regular hours. One operates from Wilson station via Wilson and Bathurst to Steeles, another operates from St. Clair West station via west on St. Clair and north on Bathurst to Steeles and a third operates from Bathurst station via north on Bathurst and west on Wilson to Wilson station. Night service is unaffected. The “7 Wilson Stn-Steeles” branch operates out of Wilson Garage while all other branches operate from Davenport Garage.
|
BATHURST |
7 |
S T E E L E S |
|
7 Days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
BATHURST |
7A |
S T E E L E S |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
BATHURST |
7B |
WILSON STN |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
BATHURST |
7D |
S T. C L A I R |
|
7 days a week, “owl service” | ||
|
BATHURST |
7F |
S T E E L E S |
|
Limited early morning Sunday service | ||
August 15, 1979
The route is restructured to restore through service on Bathurst Street from Bathurst station to Steeles. The 7A and 7B branches are discontinued, replaced by new 7C (Steeles-Bathurst Stn) and 7E (Wilson Stn.-St. Clair West Stn.) branches.
|
BATHURST |
7 |
S T E E L E S |
|
7 Days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
BATHURST |
7C |
S T E E L E S |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
BATHURST |
7D |
S T. C L A I R |
|
7 days a week, “owl service” | ||
|
BATHURST |
7E |
WILSON STN |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
BATHURST |
7F |
S T E E L E S |
|
Limited early morning Sunday service | ||
November 22, 1980
At the request of the Town of Vaughan, some 7 “Wilson Stn-Steeles” buses are extended north of Steeles via Bathurst, to a new off-street loop at Arnold Avenue. This extension operates Mondays through Saturdays until around 6 p.m. This does not affect route signs. Buses operate with a 7 Branch exposure with window-cards reading “ARNOLD AVE.”
Vaughan is responsible for the operating deficits of the portion of the route operating north of Steeles. An extra fare is required to travel north of Steeles and, once paid, transfers are available to Vaughan Transit buses. Vaughan becomes a city in 1991. The contract is transferred to the Region of York in 2001.
May 23, 1982
The Steeles loop is revised to operate via north on Bathurst, west on Fisherville, north on Carpenter, east on Steeles, south on Village Gate, west on Greenwin Village to Bathurst.
June 26, 1983
The “Arnold Avenue” branch is extended north on Bathurst to loop via east on Highway 7B (Centre Street), south on Atkinson and west on Clark to Bathurst. It is finally given its own branch designation.
|
BATHURST |
7 |
S T E E L E S |
|
7 Days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
BATHURST |
7C |
S T E E L E S |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
BATHURST |
7D |
S T. C L A I R |
|
7 days a week, “owl service” | ||
|
BATHURST |
7E |
WILSON STN |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
BATHURST |
7F |
S T E E L E S |
|
Limited early morning Sunday service | ||
|
BATHURST |
7G |
HIGHWAY 7B |
|
Monday to Saturday, daytime | ||
September 2, 1984
Service on the 7E branch between Wilson station and St. Clair West station is reduced to peak periods only.
February 9, 1987
As part of the TTC’s expansion and rebranding of night service across Metropolitan Toronto, the 7D overnight branch between St. Clair Avenue and the Exhibition is renamed 310 BATHURST BLUE NIGHT. In addition, new night service is established on Bathurst north of Lawrence on the 314 DUFFERIN-BATHURST BLUE NIGHT. 7D and 7F branches continue to operate between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. early Sunday mornings.
Early evening service is added, Mondays through Fridays, on the 7G “Highway 7B” branch, in place of service on the 7 “Wilson Stn-Steeles” branch.
March 15, 1987
Sunday morning service from the Exhibition is now designated as part of the 310 BATHURST BLUE NIGHT bus, officially retiring the 7D and 7F branches.
July 26, 1987
The Highway 7B loop is expanded with buses running north on Bathurst beyond Highway 7B and then east and south on Atkinson and west on Clark to Bathurst. Sunday daytime service is added to this branch.
February 8, 1988
All midday service from Wilson station now runs past Steeles to Centre Street on the 7G branch, in place of buses on the 7 “Wilson Stn-Steeles” branch.
February 6, 1989
During rush hours, buses from Wilson station to Steeles loop via west on Fisherville, north on Torresdale, west on Steeles and south on Bathurst. At all other times, and on other branches, the loop at Steeles remains as before. Destination signs are not affected, though “VIA TORRESDALE” window-cards may be used.
September 4, 1990
Service on the 7 and 7G branches are separated into the new 160 BATHURST NORTH route.
January 3, 1993
With the closing of Davenport Garage, operation of this route is consolidated at Wilson Garage.
May 7, 1995 to September 2, 1995
Service on the 7E branch is extended east of St. Clair West station via St. Clair Avenue to St. Clair station on the YONGE SUBWAY during rehabilitation of the streetcar tracks within St. Clair West station. Buses do not operate into St. Clair West station and instead serve the station outside the fare-paid area.
February 16, 1997
The main 7C branch is rendered accessible using lift-equipped Orion V CNG buses on all off-peak and most rush hour trips.
June 14, 1998
A part of a system wide initiative to simplify branch designations the suffixes for the two 7-Bathurst branches is changed as follows:
7 |
BATHURST |
|
7 |
BATHURST |
TO BATHURST STN |
TO STEELES |
|||
7 days a week 18 hours a day |
||||
7A |
BATHURST |
|
7A |
BATHURST |
TO WILSON STN |
TO ST. CLAIR WEST STN |
|||
Monday to Friday, rush hours only |
||||
March 21, 1999
The main “Bathurst Stn-Steeles” branch, already accessible, now uses low floor Orion VI CNG buses. Most 7A trips continue to be served by high-floor diesel buses.
June 19, 2005
Buses on the main “Bathurst Stn-Steeles” branch are now equipped with bike racks.
June 24, 2007
The 7A “St. Clair West Stn-Wilson Stn” branch is now made accessible using low floor buses. These new buses are also bike-rack equipped. All runs on 7 BATHURST now use accessible buses.
March 30, 2008
7 BATHURST service is split into two branches at St. Clair West station due to major construction projects on the route. During this period, streetcar tracks on Bathurst are rebuilt from St. Clair to just north of Bathurst station, and there is a major rebuilding of the roadway through the Canadian Pacific underpass just north of Dupont. There is also ongoing work on the St. Clair streetcar right-of-way. The split in bus service is designed to provide more reliable transit service north of St. Clair, while service south of St. Clair is subject to narrowed roadways. Service to Wilson station is suspended during this construction period.
7B |
BATHURST |
|
7B |
BATHURST |
TO ST CLAIR WEST STN |
TO BATHURST STN |
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7 days a week 18 hours a day |
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7C |
BATHURST |
|
7C |
BATHURST |
TO STEELES |
TO ST. CLAIR WEST STN |
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7 days a week, 18 hours a day |
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June 21, 2009
As roadway construction at the CP underpass nears an end, through service on the route resumes between Bathurst Station and Steeles. The 7A peak period service between Wilson station and St. Clair West Station is cancelled on a permanent basis.
7 |
BATHURST |
|
7 |
BATHURST |
TO STEELES |
TO BATHURST STN |
|||
7 days a week 18 hours a day |
||||
December 20, 2013
Service on 7 BATHURST begins using the new NovaBUS LFS low-floor articulated buses on some runs.
March 30, 2014
All weekdays runs on 7 BATHURST now use low-floor articulated buses. Regular buses continue to appear on weekends.
Also, at the time of this writing, the 7C “St Clair West Stn.-Steeles” branch continues to exist as occasional short turns in the peak periods.
7 |
BATHURST |
|
7 |
BATHURST |
TO STEELES |
TO BATHURST STN |
|||
7 days a week 18 hours a day |
||||
|
|
|
7C |
BATHURST |
|
TO ST. CLAIR WEST STN |
|||
Occasional short turns |
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7 Bathurst Image Archive
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Here are four transfers from the York Township Railways operations of GILBERT, WESTON, EGLINTON WEST and BATHURST, issued on October 18, 1943. |
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The backs of the transfers for the GILBERT, WESTON, EGLINTON WEST and BATHURST services, taken on October 18, 1943. |
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An issue of TTC's "Headlights", describing changes to bus services coincident with the extension of the YONGE SUBWAY to Finch on March 30, 1974. |
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A side rollsign from a bus operating out of Davenport Garage circa 1988, showing 7 BATHURST, 100 FLEMINGDON PARK and 33 FOREST HILL exposures. Image donated by Pete Coulman. |
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A map of the TTC's 7 BATHURST operations effective January 1, 2013. |
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Before the TTC took over all bus operations within the boundaries of Metropolitan Toronto, independent operations like the Danforth Bus lines were contracted to provide some bus services by the suburban townships. The Danforth Bus Lines operated buses up Bathurst Street before 1954, and these were served here at its garage at Dufferin and Wilson. This April 1953 photo was taken by James Victor Salmon and is courtesy the Toronto Public Library. |
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Here, Danforth Bus Lines bus #83 heads north on Bathurst towards Sheppard on June 10, 1954. It would be just another three weeks before all service on Bathurst was consolidated under the TTC. Photo by James Victor Salmon, courtesy the Toronto Public Library. |
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Pete Coulman snapped this picture of a BATHURST-"Sheppard" rollsign circa 1955 on a restored TTC bus at the Halton County Radial Railway. |
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Pete Coulman snapped this picture of a BATHURST-"Wilson" rollsign circa 1955 on a restored TTC bus at the Halton County Radial Railway. |
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A map of the TTC's BATHURST BUS operation, effective January 1, 1958. Note the suburban zone fare boundaries at Lawrence Avenue and Beechmount Street. |
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A BATHURST rollsign exposure, dating from 1949, when the bus service only ran on Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue. Photo courtesy Joseph Chemerys of the Rollsign Gallery. |
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The front of the TTC's 7 BATHURST timetable (covering only 7G BATHURST services), effective June 27, 1983. |
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The back of the TTC's 7 BATHURST timetable (covering only 7G BATHURST services), effective June 27, 1983. |
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The September 1964 issue of the TTC's Headlights describes the extensions of 7 BATHURST, 34 EGLINTON EAST, 41 KEELE, 54 LAWRENCE EAST, 83 TRETHEWEY and 84 SHEPPARD plus changes to 23 DAWES |
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TTC GM "Old Look" bus #2120 operates in service on 7 BATHURST in October 1963. Image courtesy the Toronto Archives. |
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TTC GM "Old Look" bus #2159 poses bearing a 7 BATHURST rollsign exposure in this late 1950s shot courtesy the Toronto Archives. |
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TTC GM New Look #3341 turns into Bathurst station, in service on the 7 BATHURST route on December 3, 1973. The photographer is unknown and the image is courtesy the Gilbert Ebling collection. |
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TTC New Look bus #3342 heads southbound on Bathurst, having crossed Lawrence, in 7E BATHURST "Wilmington" service. This shot was taken circa early 1970 and is courtesy of the Leonard Jacks collection. |
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TTC GM New Look #3553 bearing a "7J" BATHURST exposure, poses at the Exhibition grounds on January 21, 1965. Photo courtesy the Toronto archives. |
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TTC GM New Look bus picks up passengers at Bathurst Station, in service on 7 BATHURST's "Sheppard" branch. This shot, courtesy of the Toronto Archives, was taken in 1966. |
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TTC GM New Look bus #3559 operates southbound on 7 BATHURST, crossing Eglinton Avenue on February 16, 1978. The photographer is unknown. The picture was donated by Pete Coulman. |
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TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #8167 is seen at Bathurst station on route 7 BATHURST on May 3, 2013. Photo by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos. |
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TTC GM New Look bus 8369 waits at Bathurst station in this post 1979 shot. The photographer is unknown. Photo donated by Pete Coulman. |
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Orion bus VII 8164 crosses St Clair Ave West to continue its northbound trip to Steeles Ave. Roman Fomin, January 20, 2011. |
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TTC Orion I bus #8735 prepares to turn from southbound Bathurst to eastbound St. Clair in 7E BATHURST service in this June 1983 shot. The photographer is unknown and the image is courtesy the John Knight collection. |
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TTC Orion I bus #8736 departs St. Clair West station in service on the 7E BATHURST branch in this October 1982 shot. The photographer is unknown and the image is from the John Knight collection. |
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Orion Hybrid bus VII 1399 departs Bathurst subway station. Note ALRV streetcar (#4248 BATHURST) picking up passengers in the background. A few moments later the car will leave subway station to move south to Exhibition Loop. Photo by Roman Fomin on November 14, 2011. |
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Orion bus V 9407 runs northbound along Bathurst Street passing quiet residential surroundings. Photo by Roman Fomin, November 14, 2011. |
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Orion bus VII 1386 waits for a green light at the intersection of Bathurst and Dupont, right across TTC Transit Control Centre. Photo by Roman Fomin on November 14, 2011. |
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TTC Nova LFS Articulated bus #9020 seen crossing Bathurst Street passing Wilson Avenue operating on 7 BATHURST. Photographed by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos on March 5, 2014. |
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TTC Orion V CNG #9414 returned to active service in spring 1998 after receiving a new gas tank. Here it is seen running on 7C BATHURST service at Bathurst Station. The photo was taken in April 1998 by Fred Tang. |
