A study has revealed the slowest bus routes in Toronto and changes are on the horizon, emphasis on "eventually." The Toronto Environmental Alliance recently awarded medals to the city's most sluggish bus lines in a mock awards ceremony, with the slowest bus service coming in at 10.6 kilometres per hour during certain travel times.
The study, which was included in a press release from the TEA on January 24, 2024, looked specifically at routes where "RapidTO improvements were promised."
Why you should care: The City has a plan underway to add more priority lanes for buses — a project that has been dubbed RapidTO. The TEA report highlights the routes that appear to need bus lanes most, and there's a push for the city to make them happen. However, the whole thing is still up for debate and no concrete timelines have been set.
Here's a look at which routes ranked as the slowest in the city, based on p.m. peak travel time in peak direction:
- 29 Dufferin: 10.6 kilometres per hour
- 35 Jane: 16.3 kilometres per hour
- 60 Steeles West: 17.5 kilometres per hour
- 39 Finch East: 18.4 kilometres per hour
A list showing the slowest bus routes in Toronto with travel times.Toronto Environmental Alliance
"Thousands of residents across several under-serviced neighbourhoods and York University students rely on the Steeles bus. The current plan leaves all of them stuck in traffic. I will be working closely with local Councillor Anthony Perruzza to finally get transit moving on Steeles Ave."
ICYMI: The TTC first announced a 5-Year Service Plan & 10-Year Outlook plan plan for RapidTO in 2019, with a focus on "priority bus-only lanes and other service-enhancing measures" on five of the City's busiest corridors.
Keep reading: Some bus routes around Toronto recently got an upgrade with increased capacity during busy travel times.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.