If you've ever heard me talk about transit, you know I have a million and a half ideas for every agency in the Golden Horseshoe. I make these into comprehensive (and probably complicated) plans, which I hope to eventually implement.
Recently, in conversation, someone asked me what would be the first major service change I would do if I became a TTC planner. I didn't really have an answer for them, because I've never really ranked my ideas: they are all pieces of the broader transit puzzle. Most of the changes have something to do with another change, which has something to do with an other, and so on and so forth.
The goal of this blog post is to answer that question. I put some rules onto it though, mostly that the change has to be simple enough that it could be implemented today, and not require a massive reorganization of services in an area. Here, I will outline the three changes (all three of which are new routes!), and why I think they make sense and will be successful.
A Quick Note...
All three of my proposals have had some history with the TTC, but have not been implemented for a few reasons. While TTC is less explicit about this now than they have been in the past, one of the reasons given for not implementing a route is that it would "not attract new riders." I think this is problematic: first, it creates a tiering of passengers, suggesting that current needs of those who already use transit are less important than those that have not chosen to use transit yet. Secondly, it sees each route as an individual, and not as a part of the collective. By building a network up, new riders may be attracted by a variety of improvements, and not just because "x was added". My proposals specifically do not pay attention to this language. I look more at the broader network, as well as both current and future need.
'Neville Park' route
The first proposal is the 'Neville Park' route. This route would operate between Victoria Park Station and Queen Street. Between the station and Kingston Road, it would duplicate the 12 Kingston Road, and would then operate a large loop via Blantyre, Queen, Beech, Kingston, and Bingham Loop.
My proposed Neville Park route.
Now, I may be biased for this one choice, but for a good reason. It's very annoying to get down to Queen Street if you live in Scarborough. I live on Victoria Park, and so for me to get to Neville Park, I have two options:
- Take the subway to Main (one stop), then take the 64, then take the 501 or walk.
- Take the 12 to Kingston Road, and walk.
The first option is usually the better choice, especially since doing the second one reverse requires walking up the steep Victoria Park hill, and waiting for the unreliable 12. The 64 is the furthest east route that reaches Queen, but doesn't reach the end of Queen Street.
The addition of this route would allow much easier trips down to Queen Street, and it would make the tail of the 501 streetcar, from Wineva east to Neville Park, less useless in the broader network. It would serve not just a local function, but a function important to the larger area. It would also help relieve some of the demand that the 64 Main has, and it would improve coverage in parts of the Beaches.
The 501 east of Wineva connects to, seemingly, very little, in spite of it being relatively close to Bingham Loop.
This proposal is not without precedence: in 2005, when track work on Queen meant that no service could run beyond Coxwell, the TTC offered the 13 Neville Park service so that Queen east of Wineva was not isolated. While the routing changed along with the progression of construction, service was operated exactly as I proposed from 19 April to 27 April. Please bring it back!
An area map, showing the former 13 Neville Park service, in 2005.
'Brimorton' route
TTC originally proposed a Brimorton route in 1992, but it never went anywhere. The proposal reappeared in 2018, as the 178, replacing a portion of the 54B Lawrence East route. It had been on the books but has seemingly disappeared as of new maps released by the TTC yesterday. I think it makes lots of sense.
TTC's East Scarborough changes map, from 2020, showing the 178 Brimorton.
My proposal takes the 2020 map, which shows the route as operating from Scarborough Centre to Morningside and Lawrence via Brimorton and Orton Park, and makes a minor adjustment, rerouting service onto Painted Post between Markham and Scarborough Golf Club Road, as Brimorton gets very close to Ellesmere. Painted Post better breaks the gap between Ellesmere and Lawrence.
My proposed Brimorton route.
To me, this plan makes a lot of sense for a few reasons. First, it breaks a two kilometer gap in east-west services, allowing for easier travel in the area. Secondly, as Brimorton is a busy stop on many routes that pass it, the new route would relieve some demand on the 21, 16, 9, and 102. Third, it replacing a portion of the 54B would allow for service on Lawrence to be rationalized and improved. Lastly, it provides a direct link from Scarborough Centre to Morningside and Lawrence, which does not currently exist. With the closure of the RT, I debated rerouting service to Kennedy via Dorcot and Midland, but kept it as is for simplicity's sake and recognition that Scarborough Centre is still a major destination.
The four above reasonings I think are sufficient to justify the implementation of a Brimorton bus route. I hope that TTC changes their tune from their most recent map and works towards implementing this service.
'Castlefield' route
This one might be cheating, since TTC plans to implement this, but it hasn't been done yet, so I'm claiming it!
The proposal for a Castlefield route first appeared in 2021, as an idea TTC had floated upon the opening of the Crosstown. This route, numbered 179, would operate from Keelesdale Station to Cedarvale (f.k.a. Eglinton West) Station, using Roselawn, Castlefield, and Beechborough. The most recent map, from November 2023, shows the 179, now as the 164, operating mostly the same, with three notable changes: eastbound service via Danesbury to aid in an otherwise difficult turn onto Marlee; service rerouted via Kincourt and Ingram, to avoid speedbumps on Beechborough; and an extension to Mount Dennis Station, for improved connections and to free up platform space at Keelesdale. Implementation is dependent on buses being freed up with the opening of the Eglinton Crosstown, but I think it makes sense to add the route now.
TTC's original proposal for the 179 Castlefield.
TTC's updated proposal for the 164 Castlefield.
My proposal follow's TTC's plans, but I keep service on Beechborough. Overall, it makes sense: Castlefield is a major street that travels for a decent distance, and it has destinations on it, including employment, that are otherwise a noticeable distance from existing transit services. While it may appear close to Eglinton, the Beltline that runs between the two is not very permeable, and there are few good walking connections between Dufferin and Marlee in particular. Castlefield is also a busy stop on perpendicular routes: Castlefield is an express stop on the 929 Dufferin Express.
My proposed Castlefield route.
Conclusion
If I was a TTC planner, I would push for a Neville Park, a Brimorton, and a Castlefield route as my first major changes. They contribute to the transit network of both today and tomorrow, and would be of benefit to many transit riders (myself included!)
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