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VIVA + York Region Transit

@Islington Express Bus said it: Why isn't the TTC doing this?
CB622B75-67C3-4094-8B2F-3DB1C8458397.png

Displaying real-time arrivals for connecting buses at a stop.

Despite YRT's atrocious scheduling, they've always been at the forefront of technology - first with next stop displays/announcements, first with "Stockholm-style" INIT next bus displays - now first with bus connections displayed, at ~9:15 in the video.

Ps. I love how Miles' comments turned into a mini-UT forum...

Thank you Michael!
 
Mind_the_gap said:
@Islington Express Bus said it: Why isn't the TTC doing this?
View attachment 645015
Displaying real-time arrivals for connecting buses at a stop.

Despite YRT's atrocious scheduling, they've always been at the forefront of technology - first with next stop displays/announcements, first with "Stockholm-style" INIT next bus displays - now first with bus connections displayed, at ~9:15 in the video.

Ps. I love how Miles' comments turned into a mini-UT forum...

Thank you Michael!
Click to expand...
It does annoy me how 3/4ths of the connecting buses are just viva Blue buses.
 
Mind_the_gap said:
@Islington Express Bus said it: Why isn't the TTC doing this?
View attachment 645015
Displaying real-time arrivals for connecting buses at a stop.

Despite YRT's atrocious scheduling, they've always been at the forefront of technology - first with next stop displays/announcements, first with "Stockholm-style" INIT next bus displays - now first with bus connections displayed, at ~9:15 in the video.

Ps. I love how Miles' comments turned into a mini-UT forum...

Thank you Michael!
Click to expand...
The TTC has screens inside the buses that are larger and clearer than these. They just have not had the resources to program them correctly due to a shortage of staff who have the knowledge to design and program them.
 
applepill said:
It does annoy me how 3/4ths of the connecting buses are just viva Blue buses.
Click to expand...
To be fair... Crosby is a minor local stop, and isn't where one should expect frequent connecting bus services.

That being said, the actual major stations aren't much better.

(Also, the 99 is just the local Yonge Street bus - calling it a connecting bus is extremely generous).
 
ARG1 said:
To be fair... Crosby is a minor local stop, and isn't where one should expect frequent connecting bus services.

That being said, the actual major stations aren't much better.

(Also, the 99 is just the local Yonge Street bus - calling it a connecting bus is extremely generous).
Click to expand...
Sorry, should have been more specific. My issue is that all of these buses aren't actually buses most people would connect too, unless you're backtracking for some reason. Knowing the next bus of the bus that you're on just seems strange to me.
 

York Region Transit 2024 System Performance Report

York Region Transit reached a record high ridership of 23.7 million in 2024, a 12% increase compared to 2023.

In 2024, YRT On-Request ridership increased 25% to 133,244 and MOR ridership increased 25% to 416,996.

Service hours increased from 1.3 million in 2023 to 1.4 million in 2024, representing a 10% increase

In 2024, approximately 7.64 million cross-boundary trips were made between YRT and the TTC under the One Fare Program, representing 32.3% of YRT’s system ridership, and YRT received $15.87 million in reimbursements from the Province to offset the free transfers. Cross-boundary trips have increased 27.6% compared to the start of the program.

In 2024, fare revenue totaled $85 million compared to $72 million in 2023. In 2024, revenue-to-cost ratio recovered to 39%, up from 36% in 2023, primarily due to ridership growth.
 
E2201 was doing Route 8 Kennedy this morning. Is YRT starting to test out EV buses in more heavily used routes?
 
Comments open for the 2026 Transit Annual Plan and the 2026-2030 Business Plan (Frequent Transit Network, Express Network, Overnight Network)


www.yrt.ca

Business Plan

www.yrt.ca www.yrt.ca

For the business plan they mention some different proposed minimum frequencies. The current Minimum Frequency guidelines are 15 mins for the FTN (both Viva and Base) from 6 am to 10pm, 7 days a week (Clearly we aren't even close to that for the FTN network). The new recommendations mention 10mins peak for Viva and some extended operating hours. Otherwise the guidelines are slightly worse but it'd be amazing if this new minimum standard was actually achieved.

Frequent Transit Network​

Routes on the FTN provide frequent and direct service along major roadways and connect riders to busy locations. Over the next five years, we plan to increase the frequency of the routes.
FTN (Tier 1): Viva routes offer frequent and high-capacity service along York Region’s busiest roads. They will operate, at a minimum, from 5 a.m. to 12 a.m., seven days a week.
FTN (Tier 2): Base routes provide frequent and direct service along major roads. They will operate, at a minimum, from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

Proposed minimum frequencies (how often a bus starts the route) in minutes, for FTN Tier 1 and FTN Tier 2 routes are outlined in the table below.

Service PeriodFTN (Tier 1)FTN (Tier 2)
Weekdays
Early Morning1520
Morning Peak1015
Midday1520
Afternoon peak1015
Early Evening2020
Late Evening3030
Saturdays
Morning, Afternoon, Evening2030
Sundays/Holidays
Morning, Afternoon2030
Evening3030
 

Attachments

  • YRT_FrequentTransitMap_May2025.png
    YRT_FrequentTransitMap_May2025.png
    297.9 KB · Views: 48
chrisw said:
Comments open for the 2026 Transit Annual Plan and the 2026-2030 Business Plan (Frequent Transit Network, Express Network, Overnight Network)


www.yrt.ca

Business Plan

www.yrt.ca www.yrt.ca

They mention some different proposed minimum frequencies. The current Minimum Frequency guidelines are 15 mins for the FTN (both Viva and Base) from 6 am to 10pm, 7 days a week (Clearly we aren't even close to that for the FTN network). The new recommendations mention 10mins peak for Viva and some extended operating hours. Otherwise the guidelines are slightly worse but it'd be amazing if this new minimum standard was actually achieved.

Frequent Transit Network​

Routes on the FTN provide frequent and direct service along major roadways and connect riders to busy locations. Over the next five years, we plan to increase the frequency of the routes.
FTN (Tier 1): Viva routes offer frequent and high-capacity service along York Region’s busiest roads. They will operate, at a minimum, from 5 a.m. to 12 a.m., seven days a week.
FTN (Tier 2): Base routes provide frequent and direct service along major roads. They will operate, at a minimum, from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

Proposed minimum frequencies (how often a bus starts the route) in minutes, for FTN Tier 1 and FTN Tier 2 routes are outlined in the table below.

Service PeriodFTN (Tier 1)FTN (Tier 2)
Weekdays
Early Morning1520
Morning Peak1015
Midday1520
Afternoon peak1015
Early Evening2020
Late Evening3030
Saturdays
Morning, Afternoon, Evening2030
Sundays/Holidays
Morning, Afternoon2030
Evening3030
Click to expand...

Looking at this and at the map, I can support all the 10 and 15 minute frequencies and could live w/30 in late evenings on tier 2 routes.

But, most of the routes are tier 2. You're never going to build frequent ridership with service of 30M daytime weekend/early Saturday evening. Likewise I don't want to see any sub 15M frequency before late evenings on tier 1 routes.

This is a big leap forward, if delivered. But I still want every 15M or better frequency 6am-10pm ,daily on tier 1 routes; and either better times as noted on tier 2 or a 1/2 dozen routes bumped to tier 1.
 
Last edited:
The 2026-2030 Business Plan also mentions adding some new routes to their express network. They're also looking for feedback.

Express Network Feedback Survey - York Region Transit

forms.yrt.ca forms.yrt.ca

Express Network​

Express routes connect residential and business areas to busy locations and transit hubs, while reducing travel times by having a limited number of stops and/or travelling on highways and high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. Over the next five years, we plan to add new routes to the network.
Feeder route: Provides direct service between residential, commercial, and/or industrial areas and high-demand locations like bus terminals, subway stations and recreational facilities. These routes also provide convenient transfers with other transit systems and go directly to popular destinations.
For example, Route 300 – Business Express connect Richmond Hill Business Park with the TTC Subway at Finch GO Bus Terminal.
Overlay route: Provides limited-stop service at high-demand locations, supplementing (helping to provide busing for routes with high ridership demand) on FTN routes along major roads.
For example, Route 320 – Jane Express supplements Route 20 – Jane.

YRT_ExpressNetworkMap_May2025_page-0001.jpg
 
Feedback submitted

***

In respect of the express services, I see their value in the longer term, but I have some concern that they may operate infrequently and divert resources from a more robust Frequent Service Network.
 
Northern Light said:
Looking at this and at the map, I can support all the 10 and 15 minute frequencies and could live w/30 in late evenings on tier 2 routes.

But, most of the routes are tier 2. You're never going to build frequent ridership with service of 30M daytime weekend/early Saturday evening. Likewise I don't want to see any sub 15M frequency before late evenings on tier 1 routes.

This is a big leap forward, if delivered. But I still want every 15M or better frequency 6am-10pm ,daily on tier 1 routes; and either better times as noted on tier 2 or a 1/2 dozen routes bumped to tier 1.
Click to expand...

The only Tier 1 routes are the existing Viva routes. What’s the point then?
 
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