Compiled by Pete Coulman
See Also
- WILSON (1946-1947)
- 186 WILSON ROCKET (2016-2019)
- 319 WILSON BLUE NIGHT (1987-2015)
- 396 WILSON NIGHT
- 996 WILSON EXPRESS
Wilson Avenue began life as a concession road drawn between the roads that became Lawrence Avenue and Sheppard. At the west end, it began at Weston Road, with further progress west blocked by the Humber River valley. Weston Road and Albion Road, cut through the terrain between the villages of Weston and Woodbridge, handled far more traffic. In the east, Wilson Avenue ended at or near Yonge Boulevard, its progress east blocked by the Don River valley. Through the early part of the 20th century, the street was primarily a country road, but by the 1940s, early residential and industrial development began to take root.
The street was entirely located within the township of North York, so when the township looked to provide transit service, it contracted out the service. The Danforth Bus Lines began operating service in 1945, connecting Wilson Avenue to TTC streetcars operating on Weston Road. In 1946, the township contacted the TTC about providing rush hour service along the length of Wilson Avenue, from Weston to Yonge, but the service ended in March 1947. The Danforth Bus Lines company continued to provide bus service on Wilson until July 1, 1954.
Danforth Bus Lines Operations
November 19, 1945
Service begins on the Danforth Bus Lines’ “WILSON-WESTON” route. Buses operate from the corner of St. Clair and Vaughan Road via northwest on Vaughan, north on Dufferin, east on Wilson and south on Weston to Humber Street, connecting with the TTC’s WESTON ROAD streetcar. Buses operate during rush hours only, Mondays through Saturdays.
|
S T. C L A I R &
W I L S O N A V E.
D U F F E R I N |
Monday to Saturday, rush hours only |
April 1, 1947
With the cancellation of the TTC’s WILSON bus, Danforth Bus Lines begins operation on the YONGE BOULEVARD service. Buses operate from Yonge Street and Glen Echo Road via northwest on Yonge Boulevard, west on Wilson Avenue to Avenue Road, looping via south on Avenue Road, west on Melrose Avenue, north on Bathurst and east on Wilson.
August 2, 1949
YONGE BOULEVARD service changed to operate to Lawrence and Bathurst with evening and Sunday service amalgamated with the Danforth Bus Lines’ OTTER LOOP service.
September 11, 1950
Danforth Bus Lines WILSON-WESTON route discontinued.
April 23, 1951
Danforth Bus Lines WILSON-WESTON route begins service again, this time running from St. Clair and Vaughan to Oak loop in Weston connecting with the WESTON RD Trolley Bus.
January 12, 1952
Danforth Bus Lines’ WILSON-WESTON route shortened to operate between Oak loop to a wye at Clayson Road, just north of Wilson. At the same time, YONGE BOULEVARD evening service discontinued.
July 5, 1952
Danforth Bus Lines YONGE BOULEVARD & OTTER LOOP services discontinued, leaving only WILSON-WESTON to provide service on Wilson Avenue.
TTC Operations
July 1, 1954
As part of the TTC’s mandate to provide transportation services within the boundaries of the new municipality of Metropolitan Toronto, service begins on the TTC’s new WILSON bus on this date, replacing the Danforth Bus Lines’ WILSON-WESTON service. Buses operate from Glen Echo loop at the end of the YONGE trolley bus via northwest on Yonge Boulevard and west on Wilson to Weston Road and south on Weston Road to loop at Oak loop, returning via the reverse route. Transfer privileges are permitted between the Wilson bus and NORTH YONGE, ARMOR HEIGHTS, BATHURST, DUFFERIN, KEELE, TRETHEWEY and WESTON ROAD. Passengers may also transfer to WOODBRIDGE (Gray Coach) and the YONGE trolley bus, paying an extra fare. Buses operate out of Parkdale Garage, 7 days a week, 18 hours a day. Additional rush hour service and Sunday evening service is provided between Glen Echo loop and Bathurst Street.
|
W I L S O N |
GLEN ECHO |
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | |
|
W I L S O N |
GLEN ECHO |
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | |
November 28, 1955
Additional rush hour short turn service operated between Glen Echo and Jane Street, with six trips in the morning rush hour and five trips in the afternoon rush hour. Initially buses loop via north on Epic Lane and west on William Cragg and south on Jane to Wilson to route. This was changed at an unknown date to looping in the plaza parking lot.
|
W I L S O N |
GLEN ECHO |
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | |
|
W I L S O N |
GLEN ECHO |
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | |
|
W I L S O N |
GLEN ECHO |
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | |
September 7, 1956
Service assigned route #96.
|
W I L S O N |
96 |
O A K |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96A |
BATHURST |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96B |
J A N E |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
June 24, 1959
96A “BATHURST” short-turn service discontinued
July 26, 1959
Service adjusted in the village of Weston at Wilson Avenue and Main Street (today’s Weston Road). Rather than operating south to Oak loop, WILSON buses operate north on Main Street, through the newly constructed Blondin loop, returning via southeast on Blondin Avenue and east on Wilson Avenue.
During rush hours, certain WILSON buses are scheduled to operate over the extended portion of the route previously served by the 57 NORTH MAIN bus service. These vehicles do not enter Blondin Loop, but proceed directly north on Main Street, east on Bradstock Road, north on Habitant Drive and west on Damask Avenue to Main Street. Buses return via on Main Street, south-east on Blondin Avenue (with a stop at the loop exit for transfer and zone fare collection) and east on Wilson Avenue over the present routing.
|
W I L S O N |
96 |
B L O N D I N |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96A |
D A M A S K |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96B |
J A N E |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
September 5, 1961
On this date, the northern loop is expanded. Buses now to the Weston/Sheppard intersection and then loop via east on Sheppard, north on Rivalda Road, west on Bradstock, and north and west Habitant Drive to Weston Road, returning via south on Weston to route. This new service is provided during the daytime, Mondays through Saturdays. Note that this branch is cut back to Blondin Loop. To continue on to Yonge Street, passengers have to transfer to buses operating on the 96 main branch at Blondin Loop.
This is done because, at the time, the boundary between suburban fare zones 2 and 3 passed through Blondin Loop. Passengers wishing to continue their trip had to pay an additional fare at Blondin.
|
W I L S O N |
96 |
B L O N D I N |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96A |
W E S T O N |
|
Monday to Saturday, daytime | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96B |
J A N E |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
February 1, 1962
Suburban fare zones 2 and 3 are combined into one, leaving Metropolitan Toronto covered by only two fare zones within the boundaries of Metropolitan Toronto, and eliminating the zone boundary at Blondin loop.
September 4, 1962
The “Habitant Drive” service is extended north on Weston Road to serve the Finch Gardens area. Buses operate on Weston Road to Finch, looping via west on Finch, south on Rumike Road, east on Lindylou Road and north on Jayzel Drive to Finch, returning east to Weston Road and south to Wilson. The service is also extended east of Blondin loop via the regular route of Wilson Avenue and Yonge Boulevard to Glen Echo loop.
|
W I L S O N |
96 |
B L O N D I N |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96A |
R U M I K E |
|
Monday to Saturday, daytime | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96A |
J A N E |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
September 1, 1963
The portion of the 96 WILSON bus that operates between Glen Echo and Blondin is extended to Martin Grove to serve the growing Rexdale area, replacing the 80 REXDALE bus. Buses operate from Glen Echo loop via Yonge Boulevard and Wilson to Blondin loop, and then via north on Weston, northwest on Albion, west on Elmhurst Drive, Hinton Road, Harefield Drive, Brookmere Road and Westhumber Boulevard, looping via south on Delsing, west on Porterfield and north on Martin Grove to Westhumber. Note that on all eastbound trips, buses will operate via Weston Rd and Blondin Avenue to Wilson to accommodate passengers at Blondin Loop.
This service and the 96A “Finch Gardens” (Rumike) service will be operated all day, seven days a week. Free transfers are available to all buses operating within Zone 2, with additional fares required to connect with Zone 1 services at Glen Echo. On or before this day, the rush hour short turn service to Jane is discontinued.
|
W I L S O N |
96A |
R U M I K E |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96B |
MARTIN GROVE |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
 |
A 96 WILSON transfer, circa 1966. |
January 23, 1966
Coincident with the opening of the new Queensway Garage located at Kipling and Evans, all WILSON buses are now based out of Queensway. A new branch is established to provide service to Kipling only when buses are leaving or entering service.
|
W I L S O N |
96A |
R U M I K E |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96B |
MARTIN GROVE |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96C |
K I P L I N G |
|
Garage run-ins | ||
September 5, 1971
Service is extended beyond Martin Grove to Humber College. Buses operate from Glen Echo loop via northwest on Yonge Blvd, west on Wilson Avenue, west on Blondin Avenue, north on Weston Road, northwest on Albion Road, west and north on Elmhurst Drive, west on Hinton Road, north on Harefield Drive, northwest on Elmhurst Blvd, west on Brookmere Road, west on Westhumber Blvd, north on Martin Grove, west and north on John Garland Blvd, west on Humber College Blvd, north on Highway 27, west on Finch, south and east on Humber College, looping in the new off-street loop located at the west end of the college grounds. Buses loop counterclockwise and return via the reverse route. The earlier looping via Delsing Drive, Porterfield Road and Martin Grove is discontinued. The new service operates 7 days a week, 18 hours a day.
|
W I L S O N |
96A |
R U M I K E |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96B |
HUMBER COLLEGE |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96C |
K I P L I N G |
|
Garage run-ins | ||
September 3, 1972
A new rush hour branch extends service from the 96A “Rumike” branch via north on Weston Road past Finch, running northwest and west on Toryork Drive, south on Milvan Drive and east on Finch to Weston, returning south on Weston to Glen Echo. This looping is reversed during the afternoon rush hour. Rush hour service on Rumike is discontinued.
|
W I L S O N |
96A |
R U M I K E |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96B |
HUMBER COLLEGE |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96C |
K I P L I N G |
|
Garage run-ins | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96D |
M I L V A N D R. |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
March 31, 1973
Coincident with the opening of the YONGE SUBWAY extension to York Mills, all WILSON buses operate directly to the subway on Wilson Avenue and the new Wilson Avenue extension. Service on Yonge Boulevard is provided by the new 97A YONGE branch.
|
W I L S O N |
96 |
HUMBER COLLEGE |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96A |
R U M I K E |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96B |
M I L V A N D R. |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96C |
K I P L I N G |
|
Garage run ins | ||
March 30, 1974
As the off-street loop at Humber College is no longer available for TTC service, the looping of the Humber College branch is revised to operate via west on Humber College Blvd, stopping across from the old loop, then continuing west on Humber College Blvd looping via east on Carrier Drive, sout on Woodbine Downs and west on Finch Avenue and south on Humber College Blvd to route. No change to destination signs or schedule.
March 15, 1976
With the opening of the new Wilson Garage, the present 96C “KIPLING” short-tunr service is no longer required and is discontinued. All WILSON service is transferred to the new Wilson Garage.
January 28, 1978
Coincident with the opening of the SPADINA SUBWAY, all buses operate through Wilson station in both directions. There is no other change to the Humber College or Rumike branches. 96B Milvan Drive rush hour buses are cut back to Wilson station from York Mills. A new short turn service is established between Wilson station and Islington, looping via west and north on Elmhurst Drive and east on Fordhurst Crescent and south on Islington to Elmhurst. A new short turn service is also established between York Mills station and Weston Road (Blondin loop).
|
W I L S O N |
96 |
HUMBER COLLEGE |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96A |
R U M I K E |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96B |
M I L V A N D R. |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96C |
ISLINGTON |
|
Occasional short turns | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96D |
W E S T O N |
|
Occasional short turns | ||
September 2, 1980
A new rush hour express service begins operation between Wilson station and Islington, stopping at Weston Road, Jane and Keele. This replaces the York Mills-Weston short turn service. Service operates every 15 minutes.
|
W I L S O N |
96 |
HUMBER COLLEGE |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96A |
R U M I K E |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96B |
M I L V A N D R. |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96C |
ISLINGTON |
|
Occasional short turns | ||
|
W I L S O N E X P R E S S |
96D |
ISLINGTON |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
September 8, 1981
The rush hour express service is extended to Humber College. Buses operate every 12 minutes and pick up and unload at all stops between Islington and Humber College. East of Islington, buses run express to Wilson station, stopping only at Weston Road, Jane and Keele.
|
W I L S O N |
96 |
HUMBER COLLEGE |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96A |
R U M I K E |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96B |
M I L V A N D R. |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96C |
ISLINGTON |
|
Occasional short turns | ||
|
W I L S O N E X P R E S S |
96D |
HUMBER COLLEGE |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
January 4, 1982
A new rush hour branch is launched, replacing the south end of the NORFINCH 99 bus and providing a new service on Arrow Road to Steeles. Buses operate from Wilson station via Wilson, Clayson, Bartor, Arrow Road and Signet to Steeles, looping via Steeles, Rossdean, Garyray, Norelco and Fenmar.
|
W I L S O N |
96 |
HUMBER COLLEGE |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96A |
R U M I K E |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96B |
M I L V A N D R. |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96C |
ISLINGTON |
|
Occasional short turns | ||
|
W I L S O N E X P R E S S |
96D |
HUMBER COLLEGE |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96E |
S T E E L E S |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
September 6, 1983
Service is revised, rearranging branches with 96 WILSON and 36 FINCH WEST to provide through service on Weston Road. Service begins on the 96F and 96G branches of Wilson. From York Mills station (Wilson station during rush hours), buses operate via west on Wilson and north on Weston Road to Steeles Avenue, looping via Steeles, Barmac and Ormont, 18 hours a day, Monday to Friday only. This replaces service on the A and D branches of 36 FINCH WEST. The 96A “Rumike” branch is replaced Mondays to Fridays by the new 118 FINCH VIA ALLEN route, but continues to operate on weekends. The 96B Milvan Drive branch is replaced by the E branch of 36 FINCH WEST.
|
W I L S O N |
96 |
HUMBER COLLEGE |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96A |
R U M I K E |
|
Weekends and holidays, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96C |
ISLINGTON |
|
Occasional short turns | ||
|
W I L S O N E X P R E S S |
96D |
HUMBER COLLEGE |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96E |
S T E E L E S |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96F |
S T E E L E S |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96G |
S T E E L E S |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
January 5th, 1986
The rush hour express service is extended from Humber College to Humberline and Albion, operating via Humberline, Finch, Humber College Blvd, John Garland, Martin Grove, Westhumber, Brookmere, Elmhurst, Albion and Wilson. Service on Finch and Humberline west of Humber College Boulevard is now provided by 118 FINCH VIA ALLEN. 96D buses leave Wilson station from 7:04 a.m. to 9:27 a.m. and from 2:20 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Buses operate express to Islington, stopping only at Dufferin, Dubray, Keele, Jane and Weston Road. Buses load and unload at all stops west of Islington. Some trips on the fringe of the rush hours, however, run local and serve all stops.
|
W I L S O N |
96 |
HUMBER COLLEGE |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96A |
R U M I K E |
|
Weekends and holidays, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96C |
ISLINGTON |
|
Occasional short turns | ||
|
W I L S O N E X P R E S S |
96D |
HUMBERLINE |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96E |
S T E E L E S |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96F |
S T E E L E S |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96G |
S T E E L E S |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
September 1986
During the morning rush hours, “Steeles via Clayson” service is extended east from Wilson station to serve York Mills station. Buses leave York Mills station from 5:48 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. and from Steeles & Signet from 6:25 a.m. to 9:42 a.m.
|
W I L S O N |
96 |
HUMBER COLLEGE |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96A |
R U M I K E |
|
Weekends and holidays, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96C |
ISLINGTON |
|
Occasional short turns | ||
|
W I L S O N E X P R E S S |
96D |
HUMBERLINE |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96E |
S T E E L E S |
|
Monday to Friday, afternoon rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96F |
S T E E L E S |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96G |
S T E E L E S |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96H |
S T E E L E S |
|
Monday to Friday, afternoon rush hours only | ||
February 8, 1987
Night service established on a new route, 319 WILSON BLUE NIGHT, operating over the same route as the “Humber College” branch.
September 6, 1988
A Saturday-only branch is established to provide additional service between Wilson station and Jane, looping at Jane via south on Jane and west and north on Beverly Hills Crescent to Wilson.
|
W I L S O N |
96 |
HUMBER COLLEGE |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96A |
R U M I K E |
|
Weekends and holidays, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96C |
ISLINGTON |
|
Occasional short turns | ||
|
W I L S O N E X P R E S S |
96D |
HUMBERLINE |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96E |
S T E E L E S |
|
Monday to Friday, afternoon rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96F |
S T E E L E S |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96G |
S T E E L E S |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96H |
S T E E L E S |
|
Monday to Friday, afternoon rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96J |
J A N E |
|
Saturday, daytime | ||
February 5, 1989
At the request of the Town of Vaughan, a new rush hour branch is established extending service on Weston Road north of Steeles Avenue to Langstaff, with service every 18 minutes in the morning and every 16 minutes in the afternoon. Buses run from Wilson station via Wilson and Weston Rd to an off-street loop at Langstaff. During the afternoon rush, buses southbound will divert via the existing 96F/G looping at Steeles, Barmac & Ormont.
|
W I L S O N |
96 |
HUMBER COLLEGE |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96A |
R U M I K E |
|
Weekends and holidays, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96C |
ISLINGTON |
|
Occasional short turns | ||
|
W I L S O N E X P R E S S |
96D |
HUMBERLINE |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96E |
S T E E L E S |
|
Monday to Friday, afternoon rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96F |
S T E E L E S |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96G |
S T E E L E S |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96H |
S T E E L E S |
|
Monday to Friday, afternoon rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96J |
J A N E |
|
Saturday, daytime | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96K |
LANGSTAFF |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
November 20, 1990
Service at the west end revised. Buses on the 96B branch run over the regular route to Humber College and Finch and then continue to run via norhtwest on Finch and north on Humberline to the off-street loop at Albion Road. Service is provided 12 hours a day, Monday to Friday.
|
W I L S O N |
96 |
HUMBER COLLEGE |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96A |
R U M I K E |
|
Weekends and holidays, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96B |
HUMBERLINE |
|
Monday to Friday, daytime | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96C |
ISLINGTON |
|
Occasional short turns | ||
|
W I L S O N E X P R E S S |
96D |
HUMBERLINE |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96E |
S T E E L E S |
|
Monday to Friday, afternoon rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96F |
S T E E L E S |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96G |
S T E E L E S |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96H |
S T E E L E S |
|
Monday to Friday, afternoon rush hours only | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96J |
J A N E |
|
Saturday, daytime | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96K |
LANGSTAFF |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
May 14, 1990
Service on Clayson Road is broken off onto its own route called 99 CLAYSON. This service replaces the H branch of 96 WILSON.
January 20, 1991
Service on Weston Road is broken off into its own route called 165 WESTON ROAD NORTH. This service replaces all 96 WILSON branches operating on Weston Road, including 96A “Rumike”, 96F/G “Steeles” and 96K “Langstaff”.
On or after this day, service begins on a new 96A branch to Carrier Drive in northern Etobicoke. Buses operate from York Mills station over the regular route to the Carrier Drive on-street loop north of Humber College, and then proceed west and north on Carrier Drive beyond Albion Road to loop at the cul-du-sac at the end of the street. Buses operate Mondays through Fridays during the daytime.
|
W I L S O N |
96 |
HUMBER COLLEGE |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96A |
CARRIER DR. |
|
Monday to Friday, daytime | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96B |
HUMBERLINE |
|
Monday to Friday, daytime | ||
|
W I L S O N |
96C |
ISLINGTON |
|
Occasional short turns | ||
|
W I L S O N E X P R E S S |
96D |
HUMBERLINE |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
July 22, 1991
Revised service on 120 CALVINGTON has buses loop via Jane, Beverly Hills and Wilson during off-peak hours. It’s possible that 96J “Wilson Stn-Jane” short-turn service may have ended on this date, if not earlier.
January 4, 1993
Service on this route is transferred from Wilson Garage to Arrow Road Garage. On this date, Davenport Garage closed, resulting in a number of systemwide route reassignments.
November 22, 1993
Service on the 96A “Carrier Drive” rush hour branch adjusted to provide a new service both ways via John Garland Blvd between Kipling and Martin Grove. Existing Monday to Friday midd-ay “Carrier Drive” service via Westhumber will be identified as 96D and the Humber College Express will be identified as 96E.
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W I L S O N |
96 |
HUMBER COLLEGE |
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7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
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W I L S O N |
96A |
CARRIER DR. |
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Monday to Friday, daytime | ||
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W I L S O N |
96B |
HUMBERLINE |
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Monday to Friday, daytime | ||
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W I L S O N |
96C |
ISLINGTON |
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Occasional short turns | ||
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W I L S O N E X P R E S S |
96E |
HUMBERLINE |
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Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
96A “Carrier Drive” Monday to Friday rush hour buses running between York Mills Subway Station and Carrier Drive will now provide a new service both ways via John Garland Blvd between Kipling and Martin Grove. Existing Monday to Friday mid-day “Carrier Drive” service via Westhumber will be identified as 96D and Humber College Express service will be identified as 96E
October 1993
96 “Humber College” buses running Monday to Friday evenings and all day on weekends via Humber College Blvd, Finch & Humberline. 96E Humber College Express buses will continue to provide Mon-Fri rush hour service into the Woodbine Downs Industrial Area.
February 14, 1994
A new 96C rush hour branch inaugurated, operating both ways between York Mills Stationn and the Islington/Albion intersection via west on Wilson, through Wilson station, west on Wilson, northwest on Albion Road and east on Arcot, looping counterclockwise via Tandridge Cres, Arcot, Albion Rd, Thistledown Blvd (looping clockwise), then northwest on Albion Rd and north on Islington looping via Barkwin and Wardlaw. This branch will provide a new service into the Thistledown area, replacing a branch of 59 MAPLE LEAF.
February 19, 1996
New Monday-Friday short-turn rush-hour branch running between York Mills Station and Jane Street, looping via Jane and Bevery Hills. Buses will be signed 96F “JANE”.
February 15, 1998
Rush hour service restored on Clayson Road, two years after the cancellation of 99 CLAYSON ROAD. Buses on the new 96G “Clayson” buses run from York Mills station via Wilson and Clayson Road to loop via Huxley and Bartor Road. 96G buses run every 10 minutes in the morning rush and every 30 minutes in the afternoon rush. Rush hour service on Beverly Hills Drive (96F) is removed.
On this day, 96B “Humberline” buses are revised to run via Humberline Drive between Humber College Blvd and Finch Avenue in both directions. 96B buses will no longer run on Finch Avenue between Humberline and Humber College Blvd. No change to trip times.
September 6, 1998
WILSON EXPRESS 96E (Wilson Stn-Humber College) route is changed to reduce travel times. All trips on this branch operate on Elmhurst Drive only, between Islington Ave and Brookmere Road and will no longer operate on Hinton Road or Harefield Drive. There will be no change to trip times, headways or the number of buses on this branch.
All service on the 96 WILSON local branches and on the 319 WILSON BLUE NIGHT routes will continue to operate via Hinton Road and Harefield Drive.
February 14, 2000
The destination sign display for westbound buses on the 96G (York MIlls-Clayson) branch is changed to include mention of Jane Street so customers are able to know that the bus travels that far.
January 7, 2001
Two school trips currently departing westbound from Madonna Secondary School at 2:50 p.m. and 3:20 p.m. will be changes to depart at approx 3:18 p.m. and 3:25 p.m. to better serve the new dismissal time.
February 12, 2006
Service rendered accessible using low floor buses on all runs.
February 19th, 2007
The west end of the 96C (York MIlls Station - Islington via Albion) branch is changed for a trial period to shorten the route and improve the reliability of service. The 96C will now terminate at Thistledown Blvd and will no longer operate to Islington Avenue. All service will be removed from the on-street loop via Barkwin and Wardlaw. The last day of service to Barkwin and Wardlaw is Friday February 16, 2007.
November 23, 2008
New off-peak service on John Garland and to Humberline Drive and Carrier Drive areas on the 96A WILSON (York MIlls Stn-Carrier Drive via William Garland) and the 96B (York MIlls Stn- Humberline and Albion Rd) branches.
New off-peak service also operated to the Tandridge and Thistledown areas (96C) every 30minutes from Wilson station. Peak period service will continue to be operated from York Mills Station and Wilson station. Service to this area will be provided by eastbound buss before 3:00pm and by westbound buses after approx 3:00pm
NEW service to be operated on Torbarrie Rd and on Bartor Road north of Clayson Rd during rush hours only. This servic will be provided by a revised 96G WILSON (York MIlls Stn-Bartor & Torbarrie) branch operating form York Mills and Wilson stations.
In the AM buses run from York MIlls Station, west on Wilson, through Wilson station, west on Wilson, north and east on Clayson, north on Bartor, south on Arrow Rd rto Sheppard, east on Sheppard, north on Oakdale Rd, south on Torbarrie Rd, south on Jethro Rd, east on Wilson, through Wilson station and east on Wilson to York MIlls Station. Routing reversed in the PM rush. This new service operates every 17m30sec during the AM rush and every 21min during the PM rush.
February 15, 2009
NEW service will be operated on Westmoreland Drive on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays between approx 12noon and 1000pm. Service will be operated by new 96D (York MIlls Stn-Carrier and Westmore) branch replacing 96A (York Mills-Carrier) branch. This new service will run from York Mills Station over the regular route to John Garland Blvd then in both directions via west on John Garland Blvd, west on Humber College Blvd, east on Finch, north on Westmore Drive and west and north on Carrier Drive to cul-de-sac north of Albion Road and return. No change to service levels.
WESTBOUND |
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EASTBOUND |
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96 |
W I L S O N |
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TO YORK MILLS STN |
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7 days a week, 18 hours a day |
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96A |
W I L S O N |
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TO CARRIER DR |
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7 days a week, 18 hours a day |
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96B |
W I L S O N |
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TO HUMBERLINE/ALBION |
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7 days a week, 18 hours a day |
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96C |
W I L S O N |
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TO THISTLE DOWN |
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Monday to Friday, rush hours only |
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96D |
W I L S O N |
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TO CARRIER DR |
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Weekend and holidays, afternoon and evening |
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96E |
W I L S O N |
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96E |
W I L S O N |
E X P R E S S |
E X P R E S S |
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Monday to Friday, rush hours only |
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96G |
W I L S O N |
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TO TORBARRIE |
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Monday to Friday, rush hours only |
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May 9, 2010
Service on the 96B “Humberline and Albion” branch is diverted from Humberline Drive onto Claireville Drive in both directions to serve BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, a temple and museum at 61 Claireville Drive. The TTC staff report issued on February 17, 2010, suggested that buses operate northbound via Humberline Drive before turning west and north on Claireville and east on Huddersfield back to Humberline (returning via the reverse route), but the January 2011 Ride Guide shows the service operating entirely on Claireville Drive instead. By autumn, however, maps show the service operating on Huddersfield as planned. No change to scheduled departure or destination signs.
May 8, 2011
Service is reduced as part of a series of cuts system-wide resulting from a budget reduction by Toronto city council. Late evening service is eliminated on the 96F “Tandbridge” branch and Sunday and holiday evening service is eliminated on the 96C “Thistledown/Tandbridge” branch.
September 1, 2015
Service through Humber College is slightly rerouted to use the newly opened off-street bus terminal at the college. No change to service levels or destination signs.
October 11, 2015
Late evening service on weekdays is increased so that, outside of rush hours, service between York Mills station and Kipling station operate at intervals of ten minutes or better whenever the subway is open. Weekend late evening service will be increased to this standard in the November board period once seasonal service to Canada’s Wonderland on the interlined 165 WESTON ROAD NORTH route ends. The increased rush hour service which will bring the whole route up to this standard at all times will have to wait until 2016 when sufficient peak buses are available.
March 27, 2016
To simplify branches on this route, service on the 96E “Humber College” Express bus is replaced by the 186 WILSON ROCKET. Local 96C/96H “Thistle Down” and 96G “Torbarrie” branches are also replaced by the 118 THISTLE DOWN and the 119 TORBARRIE services.
WESTBOUND |
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EASTBOUND |
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96 |
W I L S O N |
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TO YORK MILLS STN |
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7 days a week, 18 hours a day |
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96A |
W I L S O N |
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TO CARRIER DR |
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7 days a week, 18 hours a day |
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96B |
W I L S O N |
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TO HUMBERLINE/ALBION |
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7 days a week, 18 hours a day |
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96D |
W I L S O N |
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TO CARRIER DR |
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Weekend and holidays, afternoon and evening |
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June 18, 2017
Weekend and holiday morning service on the 96D “York Mills Stn - Carrier & Westmore) is changed to operate instead as 96A, extending service via Finch and Westmore. No stops are missed on the 96A branch, and service levels remain the same. There is no change to the overall schedule times.
Sunday, April 1, 2018
Destination signs are revised on this route to add letters to the 96B and 96D branches heading eastbound to Wilson station. The signs are further revised effective Sunday, May 13, 2018, to add “via” points.
WESTBOUND |
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EASTBOUND |
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96 |
W I L S O N |
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TO YORK MILLS STN |
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7 days a week, 18 hours a day |
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96A |
W I L S O N |
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TO CARRIER DR |
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7 days a week, 18 hours a day |
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96B |
W I L S O N |
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96B |
W I L S O N |
TO HUMBERLINE/ALBION |
TO YORK MILLS STN |
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7 days a week, 18 hours a day |
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96D |
W I L S O N |
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96D |
W I L S O N |
TO CARRIER DR |
TO YORK MILLS STN |
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Weekend and holidays, afternoon and evening |
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Sunday, May 9, 2021
Due to construction taking place at York Mills Centre, the TTC bus terminal serving York Mills station is closed for a period of three months, starting on this day. 96 WILSON buses are routed to a temporary terminal set up in the parking lot on the northwest corner of Wilson and Yonge. No change to scheduled departure times or destination signs.
Document Archive
- 96 WILSON Claireville Route Change Report, February 17, 2010 (PDF - 133 Kb)
96 Wilson Image Archive
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The front page of a TTC timetable describing 96 WILSON operations effective September 28, 1969. |
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Before the TTC came to operate service on Wilson Avenue, the township of North York contracted Danforth Bus Lines to do the work. Here DBS Canadian Car & Foundry bus #64 waits at the garage to enter service. The bus would go on to become TTC #1701. This photo was snapped by James Victor Salmon in September 1953. Photo courtesy the Toronto Public Library (#S1-1341B) |
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Page one of an official TTC timetable for 96 WILSON operations effective November 1955. |
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Page two of an official TTC timetable of 96 WILSON operations, effective November 1955. |
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The front page of the TTC's Orders & Notice, showing 96 WILSON operations, effective January 1, 1958. |
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The back page of the TTC's Orders & Notice from January 1, 1958, talking about the operations of 96 WILSON. |
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A page from the September 1961 edition of the TTC's Headlights, highlighting the service changes to 73 SOUTH DUFFERIN, 96A WILSON and 86E SCARBOROUGH. |
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TTC GM "New Look" bus #2946 picks up passengers at Glen Echo loop in 96 WILSON service, circa 1962. This photo was taken by Anthony Holt and is courtesy the Leonard Jacks collection. |
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TTC GM New Look bus #3900 loads passengers at Blondin Loop at the west end of the 96 WILSON bus route in this 1966 shot. The photographer is unknown and the image is courtesy the Pete Coulman collection. |
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The back page of a TTC timetable describing the operations of 96 WILSON, effective September 28, 1969. |
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TTC GM New Look bus #8605 pauses at York Mills station's bus terminal in 96 WILSON service in this October 1982 shot by Jim Phelps. Photograph courtesy the Gilbert Ebling collection. |
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The front of the TTC's official timetable of 96 WILSON operations, effective February 6, 1989. |
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A portion of the inside of the TTC's official timetable of 96 WILSON operations, effective February 6, 1989. |
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Another portion of the inside of the TTC's 96 WILSON timetable, effective February 6, 1989. |
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A portion of the TTC's timetable for 96 WILSON effective February 6, 1989, announcing the extension of service to Langstaff and Weston. |
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TTC New Flyer D901 bus #6107 pauses in service on 96 WILSON with Brampton Transit GM New Look bus #7533 in service on 11 STEELES at Humberline loop at the corner of Albion and Humberline on July 22, 1991. Photo by Ted Wickson, courtesy the John Knight collection. |
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TTC Flyer D-901 re-build #6085 operates eastbound on Westhumber at Kipling in service on 96 WILSON, still a long way from York Mills Station. Photo by David Cavlovic. |
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TTC Orion VII bus 1238 pulls into a stop just east of Bathurst in service on the 96 WILSON, on its way to York Mills station. The day is September 17, 2010. Photo by James Bow. |
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TTC NovaBUS RTS #7221 shot on an angle servicing on 96 WILSON. Photo taken on June 22, 2011 by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos. |
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An official map of the TTC's 96 WILSON operations, effective January 1, 2013. |
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As of December 2011, 96 WILSON remained one of a few routes in Toronto Transit Commission served primarily by NovaBus RTS model. Here, bus #7243 moves east to Wilson Station approaching Jane Street. Photo by Roman Fomin. |
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Three NovaBus RTS buses caught together at Wilson Ave and Jane St: 7246 (96 WILSON), 7243 (96 WILSON) and 7211 (165 WESTON RD NORTH). Photo by Roman Fomin. |
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In this picture, Orion VII bus runs along Wilson Avenue near Wilson subway station with carry-on bicycle. Photo by Roman Fomin on April 4, 2010. |
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TTC Canadian Car & Foundry bus #1932 poses with a 96 WILSON rollsign on December 15, 1955. This TTC photo was purchased by Pete Coulman and donated to this website. |
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TTC GM New Look bus #3591 departs Glen Echo loop in service on 96 WILSON on July 6, 1968. Photo by David Wilson, donated from the collection of Pete Coulman. |
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TTC Flyer D-800 Bus #7983 poses at York Mills station in service on 96 WILSON in the late 1970s. Bob Hussey snapped this photograph, which was donated from the Pete Coulman Collection. |
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TTC GM New Look Bus #8152 poses at York Mills station's bus terminal, before it was rebuilt and put indoors by an office building development. The year is in the late 1970s and the photographer is Keith Littlewood. Photo donated from the collection of Pete Coulman. |
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TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #1274 approaches Avenue Road westbound on 96G WILSON "Torbarrie" service on May 2, 2013. Photo by James Bow. |
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TTC Twin 41-S-class bus #1709 (ex-Danforth Bus Lines #086) prepares to pull out of Oak loop in service on WILSON on July 19, 1954. Note that the WESTON coach behind it has new "OAK-ANNETTE" roll signs. This photo is by James Victor Salmon and is courtesy the Toronto Public Library (S1-524). |
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Bus models meeting side by side. TTC Flyer D-901 bus #6000 bearing the 96D WILSON sign poses with GM New Look (T6H-5307N) bus #8840 with the 96 WILSON exposure. The photographer is unknown. |
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TTC Nova RTS bus #7200 in 96 WILSON service laying over at Wilson Station. Taken by Lex Reid on Saturday May 9th, 2015 |
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An official map of the TTC's 96 WILSON operations, effective March 27, 2016 showing the restructured/revised branches. |
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TTC Nova RTS bus #7204 picks up passengers at Wilson station, in service on the C branch of 96 WILSON. Behind it is RTS comrade #7251. Photo by Flame Cube. |
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In this photograph, NovaBUS RTS #7245 in service 96 WILSON runs west along Walsh Avenue to make a short turn at Albion Road. This photograph was taken by Roman Fomin on June 18, 2013. |
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TTC Western Flyer D700 bus #7506 lays over at Glen Echo terminal in service on 96 WILSON in this 1971 shot. This photo is courtesy Chris Prentice and the Canadian Transit Heritage Foundation. |
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TTC Western Flyer D700A bus #7517 poses at York Mills station, in service on 96 WILSON in this summer 1973 shot. The photographer is unknown and the image is courtesy the Scott Richards collection. |
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TTC Flyer D-901 bus #8429 pauses at York Mills terminal, in service on the "Rumike" branch of 96 WILSON in this October 1982 shot by Jim Phelps. |
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The upper bus platform at Wilson station (looking south) hosts a Flyer re-build pulling in for a brief stopover westbound on 96 WILSON. This 2000 photograph is by David Cavlovic. |
