Updated July 26, 2018 at 1:15 pm: Stop locations added for September 2018 express routes.
Starting in September, 2018, the TTC will begin to roll out its Express Bus network, a scheme that has been in the works for a few years and is described in the Express Bus Network Study of June 2017.
The implementation will proceed over several months as schedules for the affected routes must be adjusted, and doing this as one “big bang” is more upheaval than TTC staff and management really need.
At the same time as services are revised, they will also be rebranded into a consistent 900-series of route numbers regardless of whether they are “E” branches of existing routes or are “Rocket” services in the 18x and 19x range. Only the 14x Premium Express services will retain their numbers.
Routes typically take the same number as the base route so that, for example, 954 is the express service replacing the 54E on Lawrence East. Where services run in a rapid transit corridor (current or future), they use the corresponding rapid transit number. For example, the existing 131E Nugget Express paralleling the SRT will become route 903. There are, of course, some exceptions just to keep those who try to memorize the entire list on their toes.
The new routes and numbers are listed in the tables below. Changes for September are firm, and they will take effect with the new schedules on September 2, 2018. Other changes are proposed, but not yet scheduled.
I will include service level details in a separate article on the overall September 2 schedule changes. Stop locations for the September changes follow the tables below.
Effective September 2, 2018
| New/Revised Route | |
|---|---|
| 902 Markham Road Express | (New) |
| 913 Progress Express | Partly replaces 134C Progress |
| 937 Islington Express | (New) |
| 984 Sheppard West Express | Replaces 84E Sheppard West |
| 985 Sheppard East Express | Replaces 190 Scarborough Centre Rocket |
| 905 Eglinton East Express | Replaces 198 UTSC Rocket |
| 925 Don Mills Express | Replaces 185 Don Mills Rocket |
| 927 Highway 27 Express | Replaces 191 Highway 27 Rocket |
| 935 Jane Express | Replaces 195 Jane Rocket |
| 939 Finch Express | Replaces 199 Finch Rocket |
| 954 Lawrence East Express | Replaces 54E Lawrence East |
| 960 Steeles West Express | Replaces 60E Steeles West |
Effective October 7, 2018
| New/Revised Route | |
|---|---|
| 929 Dufferin Express | (New) |
| 952 Lawrence West Express | (New) |
| 989 Weston Express | (New) |
| 924 Victoria Park Express | Replaces 24E Victoria Park |
Future Changes
| Revised Route | |
|---|---|
| 900 Airport Express | Replaces 192 Airport Rocket |
| 903 Kennedy-Scarborough Centre Express | Replaces 131E Nugget |
| 941 Keele Express | Replaces 41E Keele |
| 944 Kipling South Express | Replaces 188 Kiping South Rocket |
| 945 Kipling Express | Replaces 45E Kipling |
| 953 Steeles East Express | Replaces 53E/53F Steeles East |
| 986 Scarborough Express | Replaces 86E Scarborough |
| 993 Exhibition Express [seasonal] | Replaces 193 Exhibition Rocket |
| 995 York Mills Express | Replaces 95E York Mills |
| 996 Wilson Express | Replaces 186 Wilson Rocket |
Stop Locations
The express stop locations for the September changes have been announced:
937 Islington
Northbound 937 buses operate EXPRESS from Islington Station to Rexdale, stopping only at Islington Station, Eglinton Avenue West, The Westway, Dixon Road, Monogram Place, Rexdale Boulevard. 937 buses operate LOCAL from Rexdale Boulevard and Islington Avenue to Islington/Steeles off-street loop.
Southbound 937 express buses operate LOCAL from the Islington/Steeles off-street loop to Rexdale Boulevard. 937 express buses then operate EXPRESS from Rexdale Boulevard to Islington Station, stopping only at Rexdale Boulevard, Westhampton Drive, Dixon Road, The Westway, Eglinton Avenue West, and Islington Station.
954 Lawrence East Express
This route replaces the existing 54E with the same route and stopping pattern.
960 Steeles West Express
This route replaces the existing 60E with the same route and stopping pattern.
984 Sheppard West Express
During peak periods, the express service will be extended from the existing 84E terminus at Sheppard West Station to Weston Road. Off peak express service will end at Sheppard West Station as at present.
Westbound stops: Sheppard Station, Brentwood Avenue, Bathurst Street (nearside), Bathurst Street (farside), Wilmington Avenue, Wilson Heights Boulevard, Sheppard West Station, Bakersfield Street, Keele Street, Sentinel Road, Arleta Avenue, Jane Street, Weston Road.
Eastbound stops: Bradstock Road at Weston Road, Sheppard Avenue West at Abraham Welsh Road, Jane Street (nearside), Jane Street (farside), Northover Street, Sentinel Road, Keele Street, Vitti Street, Sheppard West Station, Faywood Boulevard, Bathurst Street (nearside), Bathurst Street (farside), Easton Road, Sheppard Station.
985 Sheppard East Express
This route replaces 190 Scarborough Centre Rocket. The route will have two branches:
- 985A will operate to Scarborough Centre Station as the 190 does today.
- 985B will operate to Meadowvale Road during peak periods.
Local service on route 85 Sheppard East will be provided by standard buses, and artics will be used for the 985 services. One stop will be added on the common section of the route at Brian Drive / Consumers Road.
Eastbound stops (985B only): Brimley Road, McCowan Avenue, Havenview Road, Markham Road, Progress Avenue, Lapsley Road, Neilson Road, Breckon Gate, Morningside Avenue, Grand Marshal Drive, Conlins Road, Dean Park Road, Idagrove Gate, Meadowvale Loop.
Westbound stops (985B only): Meadowvale Loop, Meadowvale Road (farside stop), Idagrove Gate, Rouge River Drive, Conlins Road, Water Tower Gate, Morningside Avenue (farside stop), Brenyon Way, Neilson Road, Washburn Way, Malvern Street, Markham Road (farside stop), Shorting Road, McCowan Road, Brimley Road.
902 Markham Road Express
A new peak and midday express service will operate from Warden Station to Sheppard via Centennial College.
Southbound stops: Markham Road at Sheppard Avenue East, Progress Avenue at Milner Avenue, Centennial College Progress Campus, Markham Road at Progress Avenue, Markham Road at Ellesmere Road, Markham Road at Brimorton Drive, Markham Road at Painted Post Drive, Markham Road at Lawrence Avenue East, Markham Road at Blake Manor Boulevard, Markham Road at Eglinton Avenue East, Kingston Road at Parkcrest Drive, Kingston Road at McCowan Road, St. Clair Avenue East at Kingston Road, St. Clair Avenue East at Brimley Road, St. Clair Avenue East at Midland Avenue, St. Clair Avenue East at Danforth Road, St. Clair Avenue East at Birchmount Road, Warden Station.
Northbound stops: Warden Station, St. Clair Avenue East at Birchmount Road, St. Clair Avenue East at Danforth Road, St. Clair Avenue East at Midland Avenue, St. Clair Avenue East at Brimley Road, St. Clair Avenue East at Kingston Road, Kingston Road at Cathedral Bluffs Drive, Kingston Road at Parkcrest Drive, Markham Road at Kingston Road, Markham Road at Eglinton Avenue East, Markham Road at Blake Manor Boulevard, Markham Road at Lawrence Avenue East, Markham Road at Painted Post Drive, Markham Road at Brimorton Drive, Markham Road at Ellesmere Road, Markham Road at Progress Avenue, Centennial College Progress Campus, Markham Road at Sheppard Avenue East.
913 Progress Express
This peak period service will replace the peak direction trips now operated by 134C Progress between Scarborough Town Centre and Centennial College. Counter-peak trips will continue to operate as 134C.
Northbound stops (AM Peak): Scarborough Centre Station, Triton Road at McCowan Road, Progress Avenue at Markham Road, Progress Avenue at Roadway to Centennial College, Centennial College Progress Campus
Southbound stops (PM Peak): Centennial College Progress Campus, Progress Avenue opposite Roadway to Centennial College, Progress Avenue at Markham Road, Bushby Drive at McCowan Road (McCowan RT Station), Scarborough Centre Station
925 Don Mills Express
This service replaces the existing 185 Don Mills Rocket and will have the same stopping pattern.
927 Highway 27 Express
This service replaces the existing 191 Highway 27 Rocket and will have the same stopping pattern.
935 Jane Express
This service replaces the existing 195 Jane Rocket and will have the same stopping pattern.
905 Eglinton East Express
This service replaces the existing 198 UTSC Rocket and will have the same stopping pattern.
939 Finch Express
This service replaces the existing 199 Finch Rocket. Two stops will be added on Finch Avenue West at Torresdale Avenue and at Goldfinch Court.
Steve Munro 