TTC: Scarborough Busway Construction (portion of the former Scarborough RT route)

[duffo]

Been saying the same thing. I don't see the full Durham Scarborough BRT happening any time soon.. only small pieces underway in Durham...

One of the barriers is the Highland Creek area is super opposed. Just combine the Busway with the BRT between (future) Scarborough Town Centre Station and UTSC. Would make loads of sense and get things moving in the busiest segment without dealing with the nimbys. Also relieves some demand for the Eglinton East LRT much faster and at a way lower cost.

 

[mossynukes]

I have written to various city councillors, to the TTC, and to Metrolinx so many times over the years about your Scarborough-Durham BRT idea... So far, no takers!

I am sure I have an idea as to why there are no takers. Extending the DSBRT to Kennedy via the busway adds minimal value to the project if any at all. It unnecessarily duplicates the Line 2 extension, what benefit will it provide to riders of the BRT who would have otherwise just transfered for a quick trip on Line 2?

 

[Aplus23]

I am sure I have an idea as to why there are no takers. Extending the DSBRT to Kennedy via the busway adds minimal value to the project if any at all. It unnecessarily duplicates the Line 2 extension, what benefit will it provide to riders of the BRT who would have otherwise just transfered for a quick trip on Line 2?

what if they wanted to go to or stop at anyone of the Busway stations?

 

[nfitz]

Stouffville Line would likely prevent that from working.

The current plan is to keep using the busway when SSE opens however.

A better use would be using the RT busway as an extension of the under-construction Scarborough-Durham BRT which would currently terminate at Scarborough Centre.

Using it for the BRT seems a great idea - though it's a bit narrow for the elevated section; presumably you'd run it on the surface.

But no reason it couldn't have branches. Looks easy enough to get north to Progress. Maybe take Progess or William Kitchen to Kennedy and go up Kennedy to a Line 4 Agincourt station, 407 Transitway and GO Unionville station.

 

[mossynukes]

what if they wanted to go to or stop at anyone of the Busway stations?

this is the minimal value I am referring to, niche use case

 

[Transit]

Been saying the same thing. I don't see the full Durham Scarborough BRT happening any time soon.. only small pieces underway in Durham...

One of the barriers is the Highland Creek area is super opposed. Just combine the Busway with the BRT between (future) Scarborough Town Centre Station and UTSC. Would make loads of sense and get things moving in the busiest segment without dealing with the nimbys. Also relieves some demand for the Eglinton East LRT much faster and at a way lower cost.

I think the BRT project is nearly zombie status at this point, other than those small pieces underway in Durham.

If the Sheppard subway extension is announced to go to STC, I think the notion of Line 4 going to Centennial College (sort of), SHN Centennial Hospital, and U of T Scarborough will replace BRT on Ellesmere. If not, maybe the BRT project still ends up marginalized by any Sheppard subway extension and/or EELRT implementation.

But, in terms of connecting the BRT to the busway, one can argue that it does not really cost any money! Ellesmere west of Brimley is already painted with red lanes, and the buses can just be run through Triton, the existing Scarborough Centre terminal roadway over to McCowan Road. There really would not be much to do make it happen, if it were ever to happen.

 

[duffo]

I am sure I have an idea as to why there are no takers. Extending the DSBRT to Kennedy via the busway adds minimal value to the project if any at all. It unnecessarily duplicates the Line 2 extension, what benefit will it provide to riders of the BRT who would have otherwise just transfered for a quick trip on Line 2?

With a single route through-running from Kennedy to UTSC, it potentially eliminates the need for a good deal of bus bays at the future STC Station bus terminal. That alone could save construction $$$ while operating costs would be similar to or less than today (since there is already very frequent service between Kennedy-STC-UTSC, which would be sped up.)

This would combine with the existing/upgraded Eglinton East RapidTO to essentially form a BRT loop within a good chunk of east Scarborough with minimal investment. Likely a faster service than EELRT too!