Toronto transit riders are adjusting to a sweeping set of schedule and route changes that took effect Sunday, September 6, touching everything from overnight Etobicoke bus service to streetcar service on St Clair Avenue West.
The changes, outlined by the TTC on its service updates page, include three new bus routes, a rebuilt routing plan around Warden Station, and continued detours tied to Ontario Line construction at Pape Station.
New overnight service in Etobicoke
A new 345 Kipling route will run overnight seven days a week between Long Branch Loop and Steeles Avenue West, passing through Lake Shore Boulevard West, Kipling Avenue and Bloor Street West. According to the TTC, the route is meant to improve overnight and off-peak service in Etobicoke and create new connections to the 300 Bloor-Danforth and existing MiWay overnight service at Kipling Bus Terminal.
A new 373 Royal York overnight route will connect Royal York Station with Steeles Avenue West and Kipling Avenue via Royal York Road, Weston Road and Steeles Avenue West. The TTC said buses will link with the 315 Evans-Brown's Line route, giving riders north and south of Bloor Street West a one-seat ride.
As part of its Annual Network Plan, the TTC is also introducing a 145 Belfield route on weekdays to replace 45B Kipling service between Kipling Station and Carlingview via Belfield, while improving service to Viscount Station at Pearson Airport. The 45A Kipling will run more often to keep 10-minute service along the corridor.
Warden Station rebuild shifts buses to the street
Warden Station is being rebuilt under the TTC's Easier Access program, with a new bus terminal featuring natural light, more accessible platforms and improved signage. The temporary bus loop closed September 6, and buses now serve the station from on-street stops.
Routes including the 8 Broadview, 9 Bellamy, 16 McCowan, 17 Birchmount, 68 Warden, 102 Markham Rd, 117 Birchmount South, 135 Gerrard and 902 Markham Rd Express have all been rerouted to on-street stops on St Clair Avenue East and around the station while construction continues.
Ontario Line work reshapes Pape area routes
As Ontario Line construction continues at Pape Station, the 8 Broadview and 62 Mortimer will no longer serve Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital, restoring regular service to the Broadview Station bus terminal. Southbound 72 Pape buses will return to the partially reopened Pape Station terminal, and the 100 Flemingdon Park will reach Pape Station via Pape Avenue, no longer serving Broadview Avenue and O'Connor Drive.
St Clair streetcars shortened
Streetcars on the 512 St Clair and 312 St Clair will now end at Lansdowne Avenue instead of Gunns Loop to accommodate railway underpass construction ahead of the new St Clair-Old Weston transit station. A 512B bus replacement will run between Gunns Loop and Lansdowne Station, and overnight 340 Junction service will extend to Oakwood Avenue.
Seasonal and restored service
Weekday service to Toronto Zoo, Bluffer's Park and High Park ended for the season on Tuesday, September 8, according to the TTC, with weekend and holiday service continuing as usual.
Meanwhile, the 508 Lake Shore streetcar returns on weekday peak periods, though construction at Long Branch Loop means streetcars will only run as far west as Humber Loop. Express routes including the 941 Keele, 944 Kipling South, 945 Kipling, 968 Warden and 989 Weston are being restored in response to higher ridership on those corridors, and service on Line 6 Finch West will improve seven days a week.
