Transit riders, environmental groups celebrate the approval of dedicated transit lanes in Toronto

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 23, 2025

Toronto, ON–TTCriders, a membership-based transit advocacy group, and Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA) celebrate the passing of RapidTO, dedicated transit lanes on Dufferin and Bathurst at today’s meeting of Toronto City Council.

 

Toronto, ON–TTCriders, a membership-based transit advocacy group, and Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA) celebrate the passing of RapidTO, dedicated transit lanes on Dufferin and Bathurst at today’s meeting of Toronto City Council.

“Giving priority to the 75,000 daily riders on these lines is a huge step forward,” said Andrew Pulsifer, Executive Director of TTCriders. “Implementing these lanes will make transit more reliable and encourage more people to take a bus or streetcar instead of driving.”

While the plan was watered down from its original proposal of lanes extending to Eglinton, Council reaffirmed support for expanding RapidTO today once City Staff have time to establish parking replacements, turn restrictions and mitigate local traffic infiltration. We expect clear timelines for full implementation of dedicated transit lanes north of Bloor as originally proposed to have the greatest benefit to transit users and congestion. Public consultations on both lanes revealed strong support for full implementation all the way up to Eglinton, with 77% supportive on Dufferin and 68% supportive on Bathurst.

This plan was approved by Mayor Chow’s Executive Committee on July 16 and went before the full City Council for the final vote, where it passed 20-3 Councillors Brad Bradford, Stephen Holyday and James Pasternak voted against priority for transit riders. 

“We are very encouraged that Council has supported this initial phase of work, which will help move more residents rapidly along the Dufferin and Bathurst corridors, while making important progress towards Toronto's climate goals," said Emmay Mah, Executive Director of TEA. “We also expect the City to bring this project to completion, so Toronto residents can enjoy the full benefits of the RapidTO network, including moving forward with long promised transit lanes along Jane Street, Finch East, Steeles and Lawrence."

“Transit users will continue to speak up and fight for common-sense solutions like dedicated transit lanes,” said Pulsifer. “These have already been proven effective in other cities around the world, including New York, Montreal, Bogota, London and many others. Toronto needs the TTC to keep up with existing best practices to become truly a world-class transit system.”

Thousands of people spoke up through petitions, consultations, and by packing the room to speak to Councillors at meetings, declaring that they want dedicated lanes all the way up to Eglinton. We look forward to our city leaders working together to ensure their voices are heard.

Media Contact:

Andrew Pulsifer

Executive Director, TTCriders

 

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(Toronto, ON) – Transit users, transit workers, and experts from community organizations held a public dialogue on Thursday, February 9th, 2023 at Centennial College - Progress Campus. 

Over 200 people attended online and in person to share their ideas about how to create a safer public transit system for everyone. Toronto City Council will vote on its 2023 budget on February 15, 2023. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Volunteers blitz transit users to reverse TTC service cuts

TTC users were greeted at 20+ transit stops across Toronto on Thursday. Volunteers distributed thousands of flyers with instructions to call Mayor John Tory about proposed cuts, fare increases, and a commercial parking levy to fund climate and transit. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

“Expand access and TTC service, not policing”: Transit user group slams fare increase, police expansion, possible cuts

January 4, 2023 (Toronto, ON) —TTCriders, a membership organization of transit users in Toronto, released the following statement in response to Mayor John Tory’s announcement about the 2023 TTC Budget, which has not yet been published publicly: 

With bus lane planning and construction in Toronto stalled, transit advocates did what the current Mayor and Council have failed to. 

(Toronto, ON) October 12, 2022 - TTCriders, a membership-based transit advocacy organization, released the following statement in support of members and volunteers who installed a temporary bus lane on Dufferin Street early this morning.

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