Scarborough already enjoys a robust and reliable public transportation system, but over the next few years it’s about to get even better. There are numerous infrastructure projects in the works that are expected to be completed within the next ten years. Those who live and work in the area will benefit from these improvements and be able to travel to different points in the GTA even more easily than before. Here we break down the future of rapid transit in Scarborough.
Possible Bus Rapid Transit
The existing Scarborough Line 3 will cease operations in 2023 and a possible Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system will replace it, according to a story published by Global News in February 2021. This safe and accessible interim bus service will run until the planned Line 2 Scarborough Subway Extension (SSE) is opened by the province in 2030, says the TTC. Line 3 is a 6.4 km intermediate capacity rapid transit line that opened in 1985 and served five stations, running between Scarborough Centre Station to the east and Kennedy Station to the west. The new BRT express bus services are being studied as a replacement transit service option that can be the solution in the interim.
Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit
The Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit project from Metrolinx aims to build upon the existing PULSE service that already operates along Highway 2 in Durham Region and Ellesmere Road in Scarborough. This will conveniently connect the current Scarborough Centre with points east, as far as downtown Oshawa, and open up even more opportunities for work, schooling, and leisure. There will be dedicated lanes for buses, which will result in shorter travel times and more reliable transit service. During peak hours, service will be frequent, with buses running every 5 minutes. Even better, the TTC, DRT and GO will share the same stations, making connections throughout the region easier for travellers.
The Scarborough Subway Extension
The Scarborough Subway Extension (SSE), a joint project between Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario, is on track to be completed by 2030. It will bring the TTC’s current Line 2 subway service almost 8 km farther into Scarborough. The route will extend from Kennedy Station in the west to Scarborough Centre Station in the east. The extension will replace the existing Scarborough Rapid Transit, which is expected to be decommissioned sometime next year. There will be three stops on the new line and the route is expected to accommodate 105,000 daily boardings. This will help provide better access to the subway system for all and minimize the number of transfers required to travel to and from downtown Toronto.
The Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown
The Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown is nearing completion this year and will extend into Scarborough from midtown Toronto, connecting a number of communities along the way, according to Metrolinx’s The Crosstown.ca. Also known as the Line 5 Eglinton, this is a brand new light rail line that is currently under construction. It will be considered the fifth route of the Toronto subway system and while owned by Metrolinx, it will be operated by the TTC. This midtown connection links the east and west ends of the city, with an impressive 25 stations along the route. It is estimated that getting across town will be 60% faster thanks to the Crosstown.
With all of these projects underway, the future of rapid transit in Scarborough is certainly bright. Thanks for reading and don’t forget to follow the Gemterra blog for more great transit tips.