Possible extension of contentious bus lanes on Bathurst and Dufferin streets could be on the horizon
In the heart of Toronto, a significant transformation is underway in the city's transit system, as Mayor Olivia Chow pushes for the expansion of priority bus and streetcar lanes, particularly north of Bloor Street. This move is aimed at improving transit services and catering to the anticipated influx of visitors during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The global soccer showcase, scheduled to commence on June 11, 2026, is expected to bring over 300,000 visitors to the city over its three-week duration. With this in mind, Mayor Chow has expressed the urgency to take action, rather than merely reviewing reports, and has asked city staff to explore more options for improving transit services on Bathurst and Dufferin streets, with a particular focus on extending priority lanes beyond Bloor Street West.
Initially, the RapidTO plans for Bathurst and Dufferin streets aimed to create bus-only lanes extending north to Eglinton Avenue West on both streets. However, following a scaling back from the original proposal, the current plan suggests installing bus priority lanes only between King Street West and Bloor Street West on Dufferin, not extending all the way to Eglinton. For Bathurst, the plan now focuses on installing streetcar priority lanes from Bathurst Station south to Lake Shore Boulevard West, rather than bus lanes all the way to Eglinton Avenue West.
City staff have recommended this modified, scaled-back version due to concerns from local businesses and residents about losing parking spaces, as well as worries over increased congestion during construction. The bus-only lanes on Dufferin are expected to serve over 40,000 daily riders, while the Bathurst streetcar priority lanes affect a route serving over 15,000 daily riders, highlighting the importance of these corridors for transit users.
The modified plan is set to go before the city's executive committee and then city council for approval, with construction potentially starting in fall 2025 and aiming for completion by spring 2026, in part to improve transit ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup events.
Mayor Chow's call for full northward extensions remains a key point of discussion, as she advocates for returning to the original RapidTO plan, emphasising the benefits of improved public transit to address congestion and potentially attract up to 21,000 additional riders on these routes. The Toronto Region Board of Trade has also backed this stance, advocating for the bus lanes to run as originally planned, north to Eglinton Ave.
Local businesses and city staff have expressed backlash against the proposed bus lanes on Bathurst and Dufferin streets. However, a city-conducted consultation report found that a majority of respondents near Dufferin Street and Bathurst agreed or strongly agreed that priority bus lanes would be a better use of curbside lanes instead of parking.
As the city moves forward with the modified, shorter priority lanes plan, Mayor Chow's call for full northward extensions remains a significant point of discussion, with the proposals needing to pass a vote at city council before being implemented.
- In response to the anticipated influx of visitors during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mayor Olivia Chow is advocating for a return to the original RapidTO plan, which includes full northward extensions of priority lanes on Bathurst and Dufferin streets.
- The Toronto Region Board of Trade has expressed support for the original RapidTO plan, advocating for the bus lanes on Bathurst to run all the way to Eglinton Avenue.
- While local businesses and city staff have expressed reservations about the proposed bus lanes, a city-conducted consultation report found that a majority of respondents near Dufferin Street and Bathurst agreed that priority bus lanes would be a preferable use of curbside lanes.
- As the global soccer showcase is expected to bring over 300,000 visitors to Toronto, the city's media will likely report extensively on the improvements to the transit system, particularly the implementation of the RapidTO plans for Bathurst and Dufferin streets.
- The business community in Toronto's arts and finance industries may voice their opinions on this matter through various media outlets, expressing their views on the importance of improving public transit services to support the city's growth and attract more visitors.
