Toronto Opens New Busway 6 Months Early

The Toronto Transit Commission is set to open a new elevated Scarborough busway by the end of September, six months ahead of schedule. The busway, which will run for four kilometres along the route of the old Scarborough RT, is expected to open on September 30.

Over 118,000 riders each week will use the busway, saving over an hour travelling on the new route. The journey from one end to the other is estimated to take just 15 minutes.

The Scarborough RT was decommissioned following a derailment in summer 2023, prompting the city to consider alternatives to the rapid transit route. Converting the abandoned rail infrastructure into a busway was favoured by city hall, with staff suggesting buses running along the old route would reach Scarborough Town Centre seven minutes quicker than if they were forced to drive in traffic.

## What it means for riders The new busway will provide faster and more affordable transit to thousands of riders. With fare capping coming into effect in September, most evenings and weekends will be free for people who work five days a week and take the TTC. This means that frequent users of the busway will benefit from reduced fares, making their daily commute more affordable.

## Background The project was initially expected to be completed in 2027, but the city announced last year that the TTC had been able to speed up construction and that the route would open in September 2026. The early completion of the project is a significant achievement, and the new busway is expected to make a big difference to the daily lives of thousands of commuters.

The new busway is part of the city's efforts to improve its transit system and provide better services to its residents. With the launch of the new busway, Scarborough residents can look forward to faster, more affordable, and more convenient transit options.