Scarborough busway to cost $12 million more, not open until 2026 Brian, January 24, 2024January 24, 2024 Converting the decommissioned Scarborough Rapid Transit (SRT) line into a busway is now estimated to cost $12 million more than initially thought and it won’t be ready before late 2026 at the earliest. That is a whole year later than originally planned. The reports are that the line will now cost $67.9 million, a figure that may still climb. I see a better use of that money. I figure that close to $68 million could buy at least 50 60′ buses, commonly known as articulated buses. Buying 50 new buses, and possibly reworking a bunch of the bus network could drastically improve the system. Corridors across the city could be reworked to have new and improved service. A lot of corridors have very high frequency local transit service. The problem with that, is those buses bunch up a lot, resulting in delays. In some areas it means buses will short turn, or go out of service and deadhead to the starting point of the route. To fix that, the TTC can reduce the frequency of the local service. For example on Don Mills, there is already a local and express service. Well the TTC can take the 25 route, and reduce the frequency to every 12-15 minutes. By freeing up the buses that are used on the 25, those can shift to the 925 and improve the frequency. Another thing for the 25, is that route can operate every 12-15 minutes between Don Mills station and Pape station. The 925 can operate all the way to Steeles. Splitting the 25 into two routes, means frequency can be tailored to the busier sections. In fact because the 925 would be the express service the 25 could be split into three. Pape to Science Centre station. Science Centre station to Don Mills station and then Don Mills station to Steeles. Frequencies can be adjusted on all 3 routes and buses can be freed up to the 925. In that example, the 925 would be able to run every 6-8 minutes. As an express bus, there are less stops and less chances of bunching up. People going the longer distances can take the express bus and either transfer to or from the local bus if needed. It is also good for local service in busier areas. The stretch from Pape to Science Centre station could also be partially covered by the 100 service as well. The 100 starts at Broadview station, but with those frequencies the 25 service south of Science Centre station could operate every 15-20 minutes. With the express bus running 6-8 minutes passengers would have access to lots of buses and it would be great for improving frequency along that area. That is not the only spot that changes can be made. Scarborough is ripe with opportunities for new and improved services. All the city would need to do is put in more bus lanes and signal priority. Spending as much as planned for a busway is only a temporary measure for about 4-5 years of transit. Improving bus services and adding more bus lanes could improve transit, as well, and be more long term. The Scarborough changes could make it easy for when the Scarborough subway extension begins. Certain bus routes will be made to be shorter and connect again at Scarborough Towne Centre Station. Let’s hope the TTC does the right thing across Scarborough and the city. Improving public transit across the city will allow for higher ridership numbers which means more fare revenue. Making it easier for transit expansion and growth over the years. Related News Ontario Scarborough SubwayTTC