Compiled by Jeffrey Kay
Maps by John Calnan
See Also:
May 11, 1968
Service begins on a new route established to replace the east end of the 84 SHEPPARD. Buses operate on Sheppard Avenue East from Yonge to the community of Agincourt, looping in the east end via north on Midland east on Rural and south on Glen Watford. In the west end, buses loop via north on Yonge, west on Burndale (three blocks north of Sheppard; this street no longer exists) and south on Beecroft. Service overlaps with 84 SHEPPARD operations between Yonge Street and Don Mills.
Service is operated out of Birchmount Garage, Mondays through Saturdays, entirely within Fare Zone 2.
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85 |
A G I N C O U R T |
|
Monday to Saturday, 18 hours a day | ||
September 5, 1972
Service is extended east to an off-street loop at the northeast corner of Sheppard and Neilson. Buses operate east on Sheppard, north on Neilson and clockwise through the new loop before returning west on Sheppard.
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85 |
N E I L S O N |
|
Monday to Saturday, 18 hours a day | ||
March 31, 1973
Buses loop through the unopened Sheppard station bus terminal located just west of Yonge on the north side of Sheppard, replacing the on-street looping.
March 30, 1974
Coincident with the extension of the YONGE SUBWAY to Finch, 85 SHEPPARD EAST buses now provide service into the bus terminal at Sheppard station. The main route is largely unchanged, operating from Sheppard station to Neilson, although Sunday service is now provided, replacing a branch of 84 SHEPPARD. In addition to this, a new “Huntingwood” service is launched, replacing 84B SHEPPARD, running from Sheppard station via east on Sheppard, north on Victoria Park and east on Huntingwood, looping via south on McCowan and west and north on Commander, before returning west on Huntingwood.
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85 |
N E I L S O N |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85A |
M c C O W A N |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
July 21, 1974
With the opening of the Metro Toronto Zoo, service is extended east on Sheppard past Neilson to Meadowvale and north on Meadowvale to the Zoo’s front gates, every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Additional peak period service operates between Sheppard station and Neilson.
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85 |
N E I L S O N |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85A |
M c C O W A N |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85B |
M E T R O Z O O |
|
7 days a week, except early mornings and late evenings. | ||
October 20, 1974
Base service is extended east from Neilson to a new off-street loop at the northeast corner of Sheppard and Morningside. Buses loop clockwise through this loop.
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85 |
MORNINGSIDE |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85A |
M c C O W A N |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85B |
M E T R O Z O O |
|
7 days a week, except early mornings and late evenings. | ||
November 25, 1974
Buses on the 85A Huntingwood branch now loop counterclockwise (south and east on Commander and north on McCowan) during the afternoon rush hour.
February 8, 1976
Weekday service to the Zoo is discontinued, and the service ends earlier on weekends to more closely match the Zoo’s closing times. The time of the last Zoo bus will change seasonally with later closings in the summer and earlier closings in the winter. At other times, buses operate to Morningside only, not including the Huntingwood branch. No change to destination signs.
January 5, 1976
Service begins on a new rush hour branch serving the Consumers Road industrial district near Victoria Park. Buses operate east from Sheppard station, looping via south and east on Consumers Road and north on Victoria Park in the morning, and reversing this looping in the afternoon.
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85 |
MORNINGSIDE |
|
Monday to Friday, 18 hours a day | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85A |
M c C O W A N |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85B |
M E T R O Z O O |
|
Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 7 a.m. to Zoo’s closing. | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85C |
VICTORIA PARK |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
December 11, 1978
The morning peak period loop at Victoria Park is reversed, with buses operating clockwise, south on Victoria Park and west and north on Consumers Road, during both peak periods.
February 5, 1979 (or earlier)
Monday through Friday midday service added on the 85C Consumers Road branch.
 |
85 SHEPPARD EAST transfer, circa 1985 |
September 2, 1980
A new peak-period express branch is introduced to serve the Van Horne area. Buses operate east from Sheppard station via east on Sheppard, north on Don Mills and east on Van Horne, looping via south on Victoria Park, west on Pleasant View and north on Brian. Buses operate non-stop express between Sheppard Station and the Don Mills/Sheppard intersection. (See scanned report)
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85 |
MORNINGSIDE |
|
Monday to Friday, 18 hours a day | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85A |
M c C O W A N |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85B |
M E T R O Z O O |
|
Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 7 a.m. to Zoo’s closing. | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85C |
VICTORIA PARK |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours and midday | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST E X P R E S S |
85D |
M c C O W A N |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
October 12, 1980
Service is extended east from Morningside to a new off-street loop on the east side of Meadowvale, just north of Sheppard. Buses operate counter-clockwise through this loop.
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85 |
MEADOWVALE |
|
Monday to Friday, 18 hours a day | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85A |
M c C O W A N |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85B |
M E T R O Z O O |
|
Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 7 a.m. to Zoo’s closing. | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85C |
VICTORIA PARK |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours and midday | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST E X P R E S S |
85D |
VICTORIA PARK |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
April 20, 1981
Alternate rush hour Huntingwood trips are extended east of McCowan Avenue via east and north on Middlefield. In the morning peak period, buses loop via east on McNicoll, north on Maybrook and west on Newmill Gate to Middlefield. Buses reverse this looping in the afternoon rush hour.
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85 |
MEADOWVALE |
|
Monday to Friday, 18 hours a day | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85A |
M c C O W A N |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85B |
M E T R O Z O O |
|
Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 7 a.m. to Zoo’s closing. | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85C |
VICTORIA PARK |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours and midday | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST E X P R E S S |
85D |
VICTORIA PARK |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85E |
MIDDLEFIELD |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
March 10, 1982
The reverse looping of 85A Huntingwood buses at McCowan during the afternoon rush hour is discontinued. All 85A buses now loop clockwise via McCowan and Commander.
March 14, 1983
Three peak period express/local branches are introduced: 85F “Meadowvale Express” buses operate between Sheppard station and Meadowvale, running express west of Don Mills and local east of Don Mills. 85G “Morningside Express” buses operate westbound in the morning and eastbound in the afternoon between Sheppard station and Morningside, running express west of Don Mills and local east of Don Mills. Finally, 85H “Morningside Express via 401” operate reverse and interlined with 85G “Morningside Express” buses (eastbound in the morning and westbound in the afternoon), operating non-stop via Highway 401.
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85 |
MEADOWVALE |
|
Monday to Friday, 18 hours a day | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85A |
M c C O W A N |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85B |
M E T R O Z O O |
|
Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 7 a.m. to Zoo’s closing. | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85C |
VICTORIA PARK |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours and midday | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST E X P R E S S |
85D |
VICTORIA PARK |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85E |
MIDDLEFIELD |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST E X P R E S S |
85F |
MEADOWVALE |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST E X P R E S S |
85G |
MORNINGSIDE |
|
Monday to Friday, westbound a.m. rush, eastbound p.m. rush | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST EXPRESS VIA 401 |
85H |
MORNINGSIDE |
|
Monday to Friday, eastbound a.m. rush, westbound p.m. rush | ||
April 17, 1983 (or earlier)
The 85C Consumers Road looping is expanded, with buses operating via south on Victoria park, west and north on Consumers, west on Yorkland Boulevard (northern portion) and north on Salehurst now Yorkland Road) to Sheppard.
July 24, 1983
Malvern Garage opens, and all 85 SHEPPARD EAST buses are transferred here from Birchmount and Wilson. The runs of the 85 SHEPPARD EAST that operated out of Wilson Garage began before or after 1980, and possibly earlier, as Wilson provided buses on the 85C “Victoria Park via Consumers” and 85D “Victoria Park Express via Van Horne” branches.
November 26, 1984
Buses on the 85C branch now loop counterclockwise until 3 p.m. They loop clockwise in the afternoon rush hour.
March 23, 1985
Coincident with the opening of the SCARBOROUGH RT, service on Middiefield is replaced by the new 130 MIDDLEFIELD bus. All 85A Huntingwood buses now operate to McCowan Avenue only, looping clockwise via McCowan and Commander. 85E branch is discontinued.
April 17, 1989
The 85D “Van Horne Express” branch is given its own route name of 10 VAN HORNE.
February 18, 1990
The 85A “Huntingwood” branch is given its own route name of 139 HUNTINGWOOD. Also on this date (or earlier), the express portion of the 85F and G branches is extended east from Don Mills to Victoria Park. Buses operate express west of Victoria Park, stopping only at Don Mills Road.
SHEPPARD EAST | 85 | MEADOWVALE |
Monday to Friday, 18 hours a day | ||
SHEPPARD EAST | 85B | M E T R O Z O O |
Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 7 a.m. to Zoo’s closing. | ||
SHEPPARD EAST | 85C | VICTORIA PARK |
Monday to Friday, rush hours and midday | ||
SHEPPARD EAST E X P R E S S | 85F | MEADOWVALE |
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
SHEPPARD EAST E X P R E S S | 85G | MORNINGSIDE |
Monday to Friday, westbound a.m. rush, eastbound p.m. rush | ||
SHEPPARD EAST EXPRESS VIA 401 | 85H | MORNINGSIDE |
Monday to Friday, eastbound a.m. rush, westbound p.m. rush | ||
May 12, 1991
Service begins on the new 190 CITY CENTRE EXPRESS service, replacing the 85G and 85H express branches of the SHEPPARD EAST route. Service also begins on the new 167 CONSUMERS ROAD route, replacing the 85C branch during rush hours (midday service is revised on 139 HUNTINGWOOD to replace midday service on the 85C branch).
November 24, 1991
Orion III Articulated buses added to this route at various times, primarily on the 85F peak period express service to Meadowvale.
February 17, 1992
A new rush hour short turn service is introduced between Sheppard station and Malvern Garage (located just west of Markham Road). Note that even though the garage is located closer to Markham Road than McCowan, buses are still signed “McCowan”, as this is the last major street they cross on their eastbound trip before looping.
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85 |
MEADOWVALE |
|
Monday to Friday, 18 hours a day | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85B |
M E T R O Z O O |
|
Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 7 a.m. to Zoo’s closing. | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85E |
M c C O W A N |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST E X P R E S S |
85F |
MEADOWVALE |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
May 8, 1992
Last day of scheduled service for articulated buses on this route.
September 6, 1992
Coincident with the discontinuation of the 167 CONSUMERS ROAD and 190 CITY CENTRE EXPRESS routes, three new branches are established (or re-established) on the SHEPPARD EAST route:
85C “Victoria Park” buses replace 167 CONSUMERS ROAD) buses and a portion of the 139 HUNTINGWOOD route, operating from Sheppard station east on Sheppard to Salehurst (now Yorkland), looping via south on Salehurst, east on Yorkland, south and east on Consumers and north on Victoria Park to Sheppard, returning via west on Sheppard. Buses operate Mondays through Fridays during rush hours and the midday, reversing this loop after 3 p.m.
85E “McCowan Express” buses operate during the morning rush hour only, running westbound from Malvern Garage to Sheppard station, returning eastbound either out of service, or as extra local service.
Finally, 85G “Scarborough Centre” buses provide a local service over the old 190 CITY CENTRE EXPRESS routing, running from Sheppard station via east on Sheppard, south on Brimley and west on Triton to Scarborough Centre station, returning via the reverse route.
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85 |
MEADOWVALE |
|
Monday to Friday, 18 hours a day | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85B |
M E T R O Z O O |
|
Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 7 a.m. to Zoo’s closing. | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85C |
VICTORIA PARK |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours and midday | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST E X P R E S S |
85E |
M c C O W A N |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours and midday | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST E X P R E S S |
85F |
MEADOWVALE |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85G |
SCARBOROUGH CTR |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours and midday | ||
October 31, 1992
The destination sign for the 85C branch is revised to better reflect its service along Consumers Road:
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85C |
VICTORIA PARK |
May 8, 1994
Service amalgamated with the 13 ROUGE HILL route, providing a direct connection between Sheppard station and Rouge Hill GO station. Buses on the 85A branch provides local service via Sheppard, Port Huron, Island Road and East Avenue. During rush hours, 85E buses operate over the same routing, operating express both ways between Sheppard station and Victoria Park, stopping at Don Mills Road. the 85 “Meadowvale” service provides additional trips all day long to Meadowvale Avenue (express service designated 85F), while the “McCowan Express” buses are redesignated 85J. On weekends and holidays, 85D shuttle buses covers the old ROUGE HILL route between the Metro Zoo and Rouge Hill GO station while, after the Zoo’s closing and until about 10 p.m., 85H buses operate between Rouge Hill GO station and Meadowvale loop only.
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85 |
MEADOWVALE |
|
Monday to Friday, 18 hours a day | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85A |
ROUGE HILL GO STN |
|
Monday to Friday, daytime and early evenings | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85B |
M E T R O Z O O |
|
Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 7 a.m. to Zoo’s closing. | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85C |
VICTORIA PARK |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours and midday | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85D |
M E T R O Z O O |
|
Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 7 a.m. to Zoo’s closing. | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST E X P R E S S |
85E |
ROUGE HILL GO STN |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours and midday | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST E X P R E S S |
85F |
MEADOWVALE |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85G |
SCARBOROUGH CTR |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours and midday | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST |
85H |
MEADOWVALE |
|
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays, limited evening service | ||
|
SHEPPARD EAST E X P R E S S |
85J |
M c C O W A N |
|
Monday to Friday, morning rush hours (westbound only) | ||
July 28, 1996
85 SHEPPARD EAST is designated an accessible service, with all off-peak trips and most peak trips operated by lift-equipped Orion V buses.
On or Before February 1997
The morning rush hour express service operating out of Malvern garage is no longer identified as the 85J “McCowan Express” branch, but as additional 85E trips.
February 15, 1998
To increase Sunday afternoon service on the busiest part of the route, alternate eastbound buses now run to Morningside only on a new 85J branch. These buses loop via south on Grand Marshall, west on Milner and north on Morningside.
June 14, 1998 to September 6, 1998
Sunday Morningside (85J) trips are extended to the Zoo (85B) to improve service to this major attraction during the summer season.
September 6, 1998
Accessible service removed from services operating east of Brimley on weekdays. Accessible buses are now used on 85G and 85C trips only, during the midday hours, Mondays through Fridays. Details of accessible services during other periods are not clearly noted in documents for this board period. Saturday, Sunday and holiday accessible service continues on the 85, 85B and 85J branches.
January 3, 1999
The looping direction for all 85C “Victoria Park via Consumers” trips is now clockwise (via Sheppard, Victoria Park and Consumers) through all periods of operation.
February 14, 1999
Through service between Sheppard station and Rouge Hill is now operated Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. During the daytime, some eastbound trips arriving at the Zoo continue east and south to Rouge HIll GO station. In the early evening, some trips from Sheppard station follow the 85A branch direct to Rouge HIll GO station.
EASTBOUND |
|
WESTBOUND |
||
85 |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
85 |
SHEPPARD EAST |
TO MEADOWVALE |
TO SHEPPARD STN |
|||
Monday to Friday, 18 hours a day |
||||
85A |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
|
|
TO ROUGE HILL GO STN |
||||
Monday to Friday, daytime and early evenings |
||||
85B |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
|
|
TO TORONTO ZOO |
||||
Weeksnds and holidays, daytime |
||||
85C |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
|
|
TO VICTORIA PARK |
||||
Monday to Friday, rush hours and midday |
||||
85D |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
|
|
TO ROUGE HILL GO STN |
||||
Weeksnds and holidays, daytime |
||||
85E |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
85E |
SHEPPARD EAST |
E X P R E S S |
E X P R E S S |
|||
Monday to Friday, rush hours and midday |
||||
85F |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
85F |
SHEPPARD EAST |
E X P R E S S |
E X P R E S S |
|||
Monday to Friday, rush hours only |
||||
85G |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
|
|
TO SCARBOROUGH CENTRE |
||||
Monday to Friday, rush hours and midday |
||||
June 13, 1999
85J “Morningside” trips are extended to the Zoo (85B) to improve service to this attraction during the summer season. 85J short turn trips do not appear to have restarted following Labour Day, and there is no record of this branch operating in 2000 or beyond. In November 2011, the 85J display was removed from electronic route signs, replaced with an 85S Short Turn sign.
March 31, 2002
Some buses operating on this route are dispatched from the newly opened Eglinton Garage on Comstock Road while the remainder continue to operate out of Malvern Garage.
Service on the 85F Meadowvale Express branch was eliminated, replaced by local buses. The last day of service was on March 29, 2002. Express service continues on the 85E “Rouge Hill GO Stn” branch.
EASTBOUND |
|
WESTBOUND |
||
85 |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
85 |
SHEPPARD EAST |
TO MEADOWVALE |
TO SHEPPARD STN |
|||
Monday to Friday, 18 hours a day |
||||
85A |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
|
|
TO ROUGE HILL GO STN |
||||
Monday to Friday, daytime and early evenings |
||||
85B |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
|
|
TO TORONTO ZOO |
||||
Weeksnds and holidays, daytime |
||||
85C |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
|
|
TO VICTORIA PARK |
||||
Monday to Friday, rush hours and midday |
||||
85D |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
|
|
TO ROUGE HILL GO STN |
||||
Weeksnds and holidays, daytime |
||||
85E |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
85E |
SHEPPARD EAST |
E X P R E S S |
E X P R E S S |
|||
Monday to Friday, rush hours and midday |
||||
85G |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
|
|
TO SCARBOROUGH CENTRE |
||||
Monday to Friday, rush hours and midday |
||||
November 24, 2002
The opening of the SHEPPARD SUBWAY from Yonge Street to Don Mills significantly alters this route. Most buses operate east from Don Mills station, while some buses continue to operate parallel to the subway to Yonge Street. Service on the 85C “Victoria Park via Consumers” branch is replaced by a branch of the 24 VICTORIA PARK route. Service on the 85E “Rouge Hill GO” Express (last day of service was on November 22, 2002) and 85G “Scarborough Centre” branches are replaced by the new 190 SCARBOROUGH CENTRE ROCKET. At the east end of the route, buses continue to run to Meadowvale loop, the Toronto Zoo (on weekends) or to Rouge HIll GO station.
The service is made accessible using lift-equipped buses on most trips between Sheppard-Yonge station and the Toronto Zoo. All operation of this route is handled by Malvern Garage. With the opening of the SHEPPARD SUBWAY, “Sheppard station” is renamed “Sheppard-Yonge station”.
Internally, the TTC logged eight separate branches for 85 SHEPPARD EAST. These were as follows:
- 85 - Sheppard-Yonge Stn to Meadowvale - Monday to Friday, 18 hours a day; Saturday, Sunday and holiday, evening
- 85A - Don Mills Stn to Rouge Hill GO Stn - Monday to Friday, except late evening; Saturday, Sunday and holiday, early evening
- 85B - Sheppard-Yonge Stn to Toronto Zoo - Saturday, Sunday and holiday, daytime
- 85C - Don Mills Stn to Meadowvale - Monday to Friday, midday and late evening; Saturday late evening
- 85D - Don Mills Stn to Rouge Hill GO Stn via Toronto Zoo - Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, daytime
- 85F - Don Mills Stn to Toronto Zoo - Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, daytime
- 85G - Sheppard-Yonge Stn to Rouge Hill GO station - No scheduled trips
- 85H - Sheppard-Yonge Stn to Rouge HIll GO station via Toronto Zoo - No scheduled trips
To simplify bus signage for customers, the TTC altered most display signs as follows:
EASTBOUND |
|
WESTBOUND |
||
85 |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
85 |
SHEPPARD EAST |
TO MEADOWVALE |
TO SHEPPARD-YONGE STN |
|||
|
||||
85A |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
85A |
SHEPPARD EAST |
TO ROUGE HILL GO STN |
TO DON MILLS STN |
|||
|
||||
85A |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
85A |
SHEPPARD EAST |
TO ROUGE HILL GO STN |
TO DON MILLS STN |
|||
|
||||
85B |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
|
|
TO TORONTO ZOO |
|
|||
March 28, 2004
All buses on the route are now lift-equipped accessible vehicles (Orion V 7000s and 7100s). This change in equipment extends accessible service east of the Toronto Zoo to Rouge Hill GO station. This change was planned for October 2003, but delayed due to the late delivery of some new accessible buses.
June 21, 2004
During the peak periods, Monday through Friday during the summer, service between Sheppard-Yonge station and Don Mills station is operated as a separate branch. Service is designated 85J, but signs read “85 to Sheppard-Yonge Stn” on westbound trips and “85A to Don Mills Stn” on eastbound trips.
September 5, 2004
The 85J Sheppard-Yonge to Don Mils service continues as a separate branch beyond this date, with midday weekday service and daytime weekend and holiday service added. Through service through Don Mills station only operates during the evenings (85 “Meadowvale”) and early Sunday mornings (85B “Toronto Zoo”).
September 6, 2005
The 85J Sheppard-Yonge to Don Mills branch service is extended to operate during the early evenings, Mondays through Fridays, cutting back 85A “Rouge Hill” and 85C “Meadowvale” service to Don Mills station during this period.
June 25, 2007
Monday through Friday late evening service extended east of Meadowvale to Rouge Hill GO station.
May 26, 2008
All buses on this route now operating with bike racks.
August 31, 2008
New Orion VII hybrid low floor accessible buses are assigned to this route, replacing Orion V lift-equipped buses.
November 23, 2008
As part of the Ridership Growth Strategy, service on surface routes extended to match subway hours of operation. This policy adds new Saturday, Sunday and holiday service to the portion of the route east of Meadowvale to Rouge HIll GO station.
January 3, 2011
85J Sheppard-Yonge to Don Mills service now operates during late evenings, Mondays through Fridays, cutting back 85A “Rouge Hill” and 85C “Meadowvale” service to Don Mills station.
EASTBOUND |
|
WESTBOUND |
||
85 |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
85 |
SHEPPARD EAST |
TO MEADOWVALE |
TO SHEPPARD-YONGE STN |
|||
Eastbound includes 85 (Sheppard-Yonge Stn to Meadowvale) and 85C (Don Mills Stn to Meadowvale); |
||||
85A |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
85A |
SHEPPARD EAST |
TO ROUGE HILL GO STN |
TO DON MILLS STN |
|||
Eastbound includes 85A (Don Mills Stn to Rouge Hill GO Stn) and 85G (Sheppard-Yonge Stn to Rouge Hill GO Stn); |
||||
85A |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
|
|
TO DON MILLS STN |
|
|||
Internally, 85J (Sheppard-Yonge Stn to Don Mills Stn) |
||||
85A |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
85A |
SHEPPARD EAST |
TO ROUGE HILL GO STN |
TO DON MILLS STN |
|||
Eastbound includes 85D (Don Mills Stn to Rouge Hill GO Stn via Toronto Zoo) and 85H (Sheppard-Yonge Stn to Rouge Hill GO Stn via Toronto Zoo); |
||||
85B |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
|
|
TO TORONTO ZOO |
|
|||
Internally known as 85B (Sheppard-Yonge Stn to Toronto Zoo) or 85F (Don Mills Stn to Toronto Zoo) |
||||
July 23, 2014
Articulated buses restored on that route using the new NovaBUS LFS Artic buses on some runs.
October 14, 2014
All weekday runs are now utilized with the NovaBUS LFS Articulated buses on the route east of Don Mills Stn. 12m Orion VII hybrid buses continue to run on the 85J branch on weekdays and all branches on weekends and holidays.
September 6, 2015
On this day, as part of the Toronto Zoo’s usual earlier closing times on weekends and holidays, the last trips on the 85 Sheppard East route from the Zoo to Don Mills station and Rouge Hill GO Station is changed to approximately 7 p.m., one hour after the Zoo closing time of 6 p.m.
Also on this day, service is increased during the evenings on weekends and holidays so that buses operate between Don Mills station and Meadowvale at intervals of 10 minutes or better whenever the subway is open.
September 2, 2018
With the launch of the new 985 SHEPPARD EAST EXPRESS, all runs are now utilized with Orion VII hybrid 40’ low floor accessible buses, displacing 60’ NovaBUS LFS Articulated buses on this route.
November 24, 2019
Eastbound buses going to Meadowvale now display 85C instead of the 85, which continues to be used westbound going to Sheppard-Yonge station.
EASTBOUND |
|
WESTBOUND |
||
|
|
|
85 |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
TO SHEPPARD-YONGE STN |
|||
Westbound includes 85 (Meadowvale to Sheppard-Yonge Stn) and 85J (Don Mills Stn to Sheppard-Yonge Stn) |
||||
85A |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
85A |
SHEPPARD EAST |
TO ROUGE HILL GO STN |
TO DON MILLS STN |
|||
Eastbound includes 85A (Don Mills Stn to Rouge Hill GO Stn) and 85G (Sheppard-Yonge Stn to Rouge Hill GO Stn); |
||||
85A |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
|
|
TO DON MILLS STN |
|
|||
Internally, 85J (Sheppard-Yonge Stn to Don Mills Stn) |
||||
85B |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
|
|
TO TORONTO ZOO |
|
|||
Internally known as 85B (Sheppard-Yonge Stn to Toronto Zoo) or 85F (Don Mills Stn to Toronto Zoo) |
||||
85C |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
|
|
TO MEADOWVALE |
| |||
Eastbound includes 85A (Don Mills Stn to Rouge Hill GO Stn) and 85G (Sheppard-Yonge Stn to Rouge Hill GO Stn) |
||||
85D |
SHEPPARD EAST |
|
85A |
SHEPPARD EAST |
TO ROUGE HILL GO STN |
TO DON MILLS STN |
|||
Eastbound includes 85D (Don Mills Stn to Rouge Hill GO Stn via Toronto Zoo) and 85H (Sheppard-Yonge Stn to Rouge Hill GO Stn via Toronto Zoo); |
||||
85 Sheppard East Image Archive
|
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. |
|
A TTC advertisement promoting the 86 SCARBORO, 85 SHEPPARD EAST and 13 ROUGE HILL's upcoming service to the Toronto Zoo. |
|
A TTC newspaper advertisement in the Toronto Star on January 2, 1976 announcing service changes to 16 McCOWAN, 21 BRIMLEY, 85 SHEPPARD EAST and 100 FLEMINGDON PARK. |
|
The Riders News of April 1981 promotes the new and revised services of 58 MALTON, 78 ST. ANDREWS, 115 SILVER HILLS and the "85E Middlefield" branch of the 85 SHEPPARD EAST bus. Item donated by Pete Coulman. |
|
A TTC advertisement announces 85B SHEPPARD EAST service to the Metro Toronto Zoo in 1974. |
|
An official map of the TTC's 85 SHEPPARD EAST operations, effective March 31, 2012 |
|
A TTC Orders and Notice announcing the extension of 85 SHEPPARD EAST services, effective August 31, 1980. |
|
A TTC Orders and Notice announcing the launch of service on 85 SHEPPARD EAST on May 11, 1968. |
|
A scan of a TTC Malvern Division bus rollsign circa 1988, showing 85 SHEPPARD EAST exposures. Photo courtesy Joseph Chemerys of the Rollsign Gallery. |
|
Page 1 of the TTC's official timetable for 85 SHEPPARD EAST, effective January 20, 1973. |
|
Page 2 of the TTC's official timetable for 85 SHEPPARD EAST operations, effective January 20, 1973. |
|
Lex Reid shot this view of TTC Orion VII OG Hybrid 1093 on the 85 SHEPPARD EAST route, arriving at Don Mills Station on May 16, 2015. |
|
TTC Orion VII OG Hybrid 1111 on the 85 SHEPPARD EAST route rolls towards Don Mills Station on a snowy morning in Toronto. Photo: TorontoTransportGuy |
|
TTC Orion VII 1st Gen 1124 heads toward Rouge Hill GO Station along the 85A SHEPPARD EAST route on September 11th, 2014. Photo by TorontoTransportGuy. |
|
TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" hybrid bus #1710 picks up passengers at Rouge Hill GO Station, about to make a return trip to Don Mills station in service on 85A SHEPPARD EAST on May 16, 2013. Photo by James Bow. |
|
TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #1729 pauses at Sheppard-Yonge station, in service on the 85 SHEPPARD EAST route. This photograph was taken by James Bow on January 19, 2017. |
|
TTC Nova LFS bus #3414 crosses Warden Avenue eastbound on Sheppard Avenue in 85B SHEPPARD EAST service to the Toronto Zoo. This photograph was taken by James Bow on December 7, 2019. |
|
TTC GM/MCI "Classic" bus #6280 operates west on Commander Boulevard in service on the "Huntingwood" branch of 85 SHEPPARD EAST on December 30, 1988. Photo donated by Pete Coulman. |
|
TTC New Flyer D-40-90 bus #6567 seen on 85 SHEPPARD EAST route after Papal Mass during World Youth Day 2002. Photo taken by Felix Tse on July 28, 2002 |
|
TTC Orion V bus #6745 pauses at Sheppard station prepares for its next run on the 85G SHEPPARD EAST. This photo was taken sometime in the mid-1990s by Bob Hussey. |
|
On April 5, 2013, TTC Orion V #7000 heads towards Don Mills Station along the 85A SHEPPARD EAST route. Photo: TorontoTransportGuy. |
|
In this picture, taken on January 3, 2013, TTC Orion VII bus 1718 leaves Don Mills transit terminal for a long journey east to Rouge Hill GO Station. Photo by Roman Phomin. |
|
TTC Orion V #7115 heads to Don Mills Station along the 85A SHEPPARD EAST route on September 11th, 2014. Photo by TorontoTransportGuy. |
|
TTC Orion V #7127 makes an appearance along on the 85 SHEPPARD EAST route on January 7th, 2015. Photo: TorontoTransportGuy |
|
TTC GM "New Look" bus #7923 operates on Commander Avenue at the eastern end of the 84A SHEPPARD EAST route on April 24, 1987, three years before 139 HUNTINGWOOD service would take over. This photo is by D. Chalmers and is courtesy the John Knight collection. |
|
An official map of the TTC's 85 SHEPPARD EAST operations, effective September 3, 2000 prior to the opening of the Sheppard Subway. |
|
TTC GM New Look bus #8985 poses at Malvern Garage, bearing a 85 SHEPPARD EAST ("Express via 401") rollsign exposure next to an articulated bus on August 4, 1984. The photographer is unknown. The photo is from the John Knight collection. |
|
TTC Novabus LFS articulated bus #9060 is seen driving along route 85A SHEPPARD EAST route, drying out from an April shower as it heads to Don Mills Station. Taken in April 2015 by Lex Reid |
|
TTC NovaBUS LFS Artic #9074 seen leaving Don Mills Stn. operating on route 85A SHEPPARD EAST. The route began operating artics in mid-July 2014. Photo taken on July 24, 2014 by "Arrow2Eglinton". |
|
TTC Nova LFS Articulated bus #9078 picks up passengers at Don Mills station in service on the 85 SHEPPARD EAST route on August 1, 2017. Photo by Damian Baranowski. |
|
TorontoTransportGuy shot this view of TTC Novabus LFS Artic #9080 traveling toward Rouge Hill GO Station along the 85A SHEPPARD EAST route on September 8th, 2014 |
|
TTC Novabus LFS Artic 9090 serving the 85A SHEPPARD EAST route at Progress and Sheppard, heading toward Don Mills Station on May 20, 2015. Photo: Lex Reid |
|
On February 11, 2015, Jelo Gutierrez Cantos took a photo of TTC NovaBUS LFS articulated bus #9092 operating on the 85C SHEPPARD EAST service. It should be noted that this branch operates Monday-Friday and is simply referred to as the 85 SHEPPARD EAST to the public. |
|
On May 20, 2014, Lex Reid caught this shot of TTC Novabus LFS Artic 9094 cruising toward a bus stop along the 85A SHEPPARD EAST route. |
