Transportation

2013 FactBook

Chapter Three Public Transit

Viva bus on Highway 7 at West Beaver Creek Road in the Town of Richmond Hill Transportation

2013 FactBook Public Transit Three Chapter 58 Transportation

2013 FactBook

Public Transit System in York Region In recent years, York Region has focused Transportation on a more sustainable and balanced The 2009 update to the Master Plan transportation planning approach to allowed the Region to address accommodate population and employment future transportation needs in an efficient growth. The balance between road and and integrated manner, while meeting transit infrastructure was reflected in Provincial and Regional policies that support the 2002 Transportation Master Plan that sustainable development. York Region’s Transportation Master Plan refocused the transportation system on process has transit. Some of the transit initiatives include: resulted in a set of progressive transit, roadway and policy recommendations • Base, local and express services that support the Region’s vision of a more operated by (YRT/ sustainable transportation system. Viva), (Zum) and the Transit Commission (TTC) The fast pace of growth projected in York • Viva service operated Region between now and 2031 must by York Region Transit (YRT/Viva) be complemented by a transportation • Inter-regional rail and bus services system that preserves the environment, provided by GO Transit enhances the Region’s economic viability, seamlessly integrates with new and existing • Specialized transit services for people developments and offers more reliable with disabilities operated as YRT travel choices for residents and employees. Mobility Plus Public Transit Three Chapter YRT bus in HOV lane on Dufferin Street in the City of 59 Transportation

2013 FactBook

Public Transit System in York Region (continued) The Region’s sustainable transportation • A road system that supports existing system includes: and future public transit and cycling, • Rapid transit corridors that move more through queue jump lanes, bicycle people faster and more efficiently from lanes, exclusive transit lanes and High place to place Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes • Local transit services that feed into • Efficient use of the road network by and complement rapid transit services reducing the number of single- in order to serve more communities occupant-vehicle trips through within the Region Transportation Demand Management programs, such as promotion of transit • Innovative technologies, such as transit use, cycling and carpooling signal priority and Smartcards (PRESTO), that improve the speed and reliability of transit operations Public Transit Three Chapter Viva bus at Bayview Towers on Highway 7 in the Town of Richmond Hill 60 Transportation

2013 FactBook

2014 YRT/Viva Annual Service Plan In September 2013, the 2014 YRT/Viva Annual Service Plan was approved by Regional Council, supporting the goals and objectives of the YRT/Viva 2012–2016 Five-Year Service Plan and building on the successes of the 2013 Annual Service Plan. The YRT/Viva 2012–2016 Five-Year Service Plan focuses on a plan to mitigate the impacts of vivaNext construction (rapidways and Spadina Subway extension) on residents, businesses and communities, in an effort to maintain existing YRT/Viva service levels and ridership. A key component of the Plan is to ensure rapid transit-readiness upon completion of the rapidways in 2018 and the Spadina Subway extension in 2016. Objectives of the 2014 YRT/Viva Annual Service Plan include: 1. Strengthening the Grid Network: Simplifying routes by travelling on arterial roads or mid-block collector roads. 2. Restructuring Routes: Reducing one-way loops, connecting key destinations. 3. Matching Service Levels to Meet Demand: Adjusting service along under-utilized areas of the route, or improving frequency for high performing routes. 4. Improving Service Reliability: Continuing to monitor on-time performance and updating schedules to reflect actual travel times. 5. Mitigating vivaNext Construction Impacts: Making schedule and operational adjustments in construction corridors. 6. Managing Ridership: Implementing additional service along high demand corridors. 7. Preparing the Rapid Transit Network Expansion Plan: Enhancing the existing rapid transit service by optimizing existing Viva service for operation on vivaNext rapidways and implementing new Viva services to expand and integrate the rapid transit network. Public Transit Three Chapter 61 Transportation

2013 FactBook

Viva bus on in the Town of Newmarket Public Transit Three

Chapter Viva bus on in the Town of Richmond Hill 62 quick facts

• In September 2013, average weekday revenue boardings on YRT/Viva were approximately 86,000 • Also in September 2013, Mobility Plus carried Transportation

approximately 28,700 passengers 2013 FactBook • Terminals owned/maintained by YRT/Viva: Richmond Hill Centre Terminal, and Promenade Terminal York Region Transit (YRT/Viva) In 2013 York Region Transit (YRT/Viva) Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to extend operated a total of 123 routes. This includes 10 of its routes into York Region. five Bus Rapid Transit (Viva) routes, 24 base services, 29 local routes, nine GO services, YRT/Viva operates into the following six express services, three community terminals: Promenade Mall, services, 10 contracted TTC routes, 33 Mall, York University, Richmond Hill Centre school specials and two seasonal routes Terminal, Bernard Terminal, Finch GO Bus throughout nine local municipalities. Terminal and Newmarket GO Bus Terminal. YRT/Viva has one pedestrian bridge, 122 Viva YRT/Viva has a fleet of 350 conventional stations and 5,088 bus stops. Approximately, transit buses and 128 1,005 of these stops and stations are buses, which are maintained and operated equipped with shelters. Figure 25 illustrates by three different private contractors. the public transit service in York Region. YRT/Viva also contracts services from the

quick facts

In 2013, YRT/Viva consisted of: • Five Viva bus rapid transit (BRT) routes • 24 base routes operating along major arterial corridors • 29 local routes operating in local neighbourhoods • 33 high school specials providing direct service to high schools • Nine GO train shuttles providing direct service to GO stations • Six express services providing direct service to subway stations or employments areas • Three community bus routes providing service to local neighbourhoods • 10 TTC contracted routes operating in York Region • Two seasonal routes providing direct service to key destinations such as recreational facilities, shopping malls, and/or amusement parks • 122 Viva stations Public Transit • 5,088 bus stops • 86 stops equipped with bike racks Three • 40 solar shelters Chapter 63 Transportation

2013 FactBook

GO Transit in York Region GO Transit is an inter-regional public transit system, linking the City of Toronto with the surrounding regions of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and beyond. In 2012, GO Transit carried 65.5 million passengers in an extensive network of train and bus services. GO Transit operated 240 weekday train trips and 2,414 weekday bus trips daily, carried about 251,000 passengers on a typical weekday – 187,000 by train and 64,000 by bus. Since it began operating in May 1967, more than a billion customers have taken the GO train or bus. Now part of , the Provincial agency charged with planning and coordinating transit services in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA), GO Transit provides safe, convenient and efficient transportation to the communities of the GTA and beyond. GO Transit operates three rail lines (Barrie-Bradford, Richmond Hill, Stouffville) in York Region serving 14 GO Train stations. In addition, GO Bus services three bus terminals (Finch GO Bus Terminal, Richmond Hill Centre Terminal and Newmarket GO Bus Terminal), providing inter-regional bus service to a large area of the Region. Public Transit Three Chapter Newmarket GO Bus Terminal on Davis Drive 64 Figure 25

Public Transit

in York Region Lake Simcoe

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City of Toronto 202Km 65 quick facts Transportation Send an email to [email protected] with

2013 FactBook your four-digit bus stop number as the subject line. Real-time information for the next few buses due at your stop will be emailed to you. Transit Service Guidelines York Region Transit (YRT/Viva) has developed Bike ‘n’ Bus minimum guidelines that are considered in Customers can use bicycle racks on the developing a multi-modal transportation front of York Region Transit (YRT) buses only. system. Throughout the YRT/Viva system, It should be noted that each rack holds up to certain routes and services are designated two bikes and is designed for easy loading as Base Services to ensure a basic level of and unloading. Customers can bring their access throughout the service area. bicycles with them on YRT/Viva routes and use bicycle racks on front of the buses, YRT/Viva Transit Service Guidelines apply pay a regular fare while their bikes ride for to the YRT/Viva Family of Services to free. Experience the ease and convenience ensure its decisions, vision and mission are of travelling with a bicycle on York Region applied consistently across the Region. The Transit (YRT/Viva). guidelines help to make transit services convenient and easy to use for customers, The bike racks are part of YRT/Viva and ensures services are efficient, Bike ‘n’ Bus program. Bike ‘n’ Bus is part safe and reliable. of the Metrolinx BikeLinx program for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). YRT/Viva Service Guidelines address route coverage service levels and span of service and the requirement for introducing new service. Public Transit Three Chapter Bike ‘n’ Bus allows allows transit users to bring their bikes on YRT buses 66 Transportation

2013 FactBook

Richmond Hill Centre Terminal pedestrian bridge to Langstaff GO Station The Richmond Hill Centre Terminal’s Contact Information pedestrian bridge was built to facilitate York Region Transit, Call Centre customer movement between Richmond Hours of Operation: Hill Centre Terminal and Langstaff GO 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Monday-Friday) Station. Elevators at the pedestrian access 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Saturday, Sunday bridge at Richmond Hill Centre provide and Holidays) a convenient connection between YRT/ Phone: 905-762-2100 or 1-866-move-YRT Viva and Langstaff GO Station services. (668-3978) In addition to the elevators, there are Website: www.yrt.ca staircases on both sides of the bridge. Public Transit Three

Richmond Hill Centre Terminal GO train approaching Chapter pedestrian bridge Langstaff GO station 67 13 Transportation

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Family of Services YRT/Viva provides nine types of transit grid network for transfers between routes. services in York Region. Local Services operate on minor arterial roads and collector roads to serve local Bus Rapid Transit – Viva Service: transit destinations (e.g. Bernard Terminal) Viva bus rapid transit (BRT) service or a main activity centre (e.g. Beaver operates along Highway 7 and Yonge Street Creek employment area) and operate on with connections to TTC’s Don Mills, Finch local roads when required for operational and Downsview subway stations. It is needs (e.g. turn-around) or to serve major designed to provide frequent, limited-stop passenger destinations. service using distinct vehicles, intelligent technology systems, off-board payment, Express Service: upgraded stations and queue-jump lanes. YRT/Viva operates premium Express Bus This service is integrated with YRT/Viva services on the 407 ETR. The Express Cash conventional service. Supplement is used to board an Express service with a non-express ticket or pass. Base Service: Throughout the YRT/Viva system, certain GO Shuttle Service: routes are designated as Base Services. GO Shuttle Services provide local service In urban areas, these services form a grid to GO Stations and are designed to be network of fixed routes, connecting major short and direct to maximize customer destinations. Base Services operate seven convenience. They are designed to connect days a week. Base Services are designated with GO Train times. in the major east-west and north-south travel corridors on York Region’s main School Specials: arterial roads. School Specials provide easier access to secondary schools when there is limited Local Service: availability of existing transit routes or Local Services are feeders to the Base capacity. They focus on servicing high Services. They operate within the various schools for the morning and/or afternoon communities connecting major local bell times only. activity centres or corridors to the arterial Three Public Transit Three Chapter 68 Transportation

2013 FactBook

Family of Services (continued) Community Bus Service: Customers call and request to be picked Community Bus Services are fully accessible up and dropped off at bus stops along transit services typically designed for seniors designated Dial-a-Ride routes. Dial-a-Ride and people with disabilities who can use is not a door-to-door service. Therefore accessible, conventional transit. Rather customers cannot be picked up or dropped than follow conventional routing patterns, off at their home or anywhere outside of the they are designed to provide better access route’s service area. to facilities oriented to these riders such as senior’s residences, medical facilities, Mobility Plus: community centres and shopping areas. York Region’s door-to-door shared ride accessible public transit service for people Dial-A-Ride: with physical or functional disabilities who Dial-a-Ride is a demand-response type of may be unable to use YRT/Viva conventional transit service that provides immediate or bus rapid transit services. local travel within a specific travel zone, or neighbourhood, where demand for transit Contact Information service is limited. Dial-a-Ride hours are For more information on YRT Mobility Plus different for each route and apply during please contact: specific periods. York Region Mobility Plus 50 High Tech Road, 5th floor Dial-a-Ride is operated by a marked YRT/ Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4N7 Viva accessible van picks up and drops off Phone: 905-762-2112 or 1-866-744-1119 customers at existing bus stops. Website: www.yrt.ca Public Transit Three Chapter YRT/Viva fleet of vehicles 69 Transportation

2013 FactBook

Transit Service Performance The high rate of transit ridership growth can be attributed to increased population and employment growth, increases in service levels, a heightened awareness of environmental stewardship, rising fuel costs and extensive marketing activities. Figure 26 illustrates the Year End Revenue Ridership summary from 2001 to 2012 for conventional and Viva services including contracted TTC services north of Steeles Avenue.

Figure 26 - YRT/Viva Year End Revenue Boardings between 2001 and 2012

25,000,000

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5,000,000 Revenue Boardings Revenue 0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Figure 27 illustrates the on-time performance for Viva routes and conventional routes trip starts between 2009 and 2013.

Figure 27 - On-Time Performance Viva (Rapid Transit Routes) and Conventional Routes Trip Start Time

100% Conventional Bus Routes (YRT) Rapid Transit Routes (Viva)

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Trips Started On-Time Started Trips 0% 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Three This graph shows the percentage of trips starting on-time (departing from the first stop of the trip) for all the trips for conventional and Viva routes. On-time means departing no later Chapter than five minutes after the scheduled departure time. 70 Transportation

2013 FactBook

Figure 28 - YRT/Viva Percentage of Missed Trips by Month from 2009 to 2013

25% 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

20%

15%

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5% Percentage of Missed Trips Percentage 0% Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Notes: Missed trips from October 2011 to January 2012 are excluded due to bus operator strike Higher than average missed trips as a result of Route 51 operational changes Missed trips increased due to a combination of construction, mechanical breakdowns and on-street schedule adjustments

The reliability of the transit system is critical in attracting and retaining riders. On-time performance and service reliability has improved by updating schedules to reflect actual travel times. Figure 28 illustrates the YRT/Viva percentage of missed trips (or trips not operated) by month from 2009 to 2013. Transit Service Hours On January 1, 2001, The Regional Municipality of York assumed responsibility for the funding and operation of public conventional and specialized transit services throughout York Region. As illustrated in Figure 29, between January 2001 and 2013, annual service hours have tripled and increased from 354,000 hours to 1,200,000 hours. During the same period, revenue boardings are estimated to grow from 7.7 million to 23 million. Public Transit Three Chapter Viva bus picking up passengers on Highway 7 at Leslie Street 71 Transportation

2013 FactBook

Figure 29 - Annual Revenue Hours between 2008 and 2013

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0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Forecast

Transit Life Cycle York Region Transit (YRT/Viva) is in a realignment phase and approaching another phase of rapid quick facts growth as seen in Figure 30. The realignment Ridership is expected to rise from phase focuses on effective ridership management, 23 million in 2013 to 26 million matching levels of service to meet demand and in 2018. improving on-time performance.

Figure 30 - Transit Life Cycle Public Transit Three Transit Ridership Figure 31 illustrates YRT/Viva routes average daily ridership for September 2013. Chapter 72 Figure 31

YRT/Viva Routes

Average Daily Ridership Lake Simcoe

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Top 10 Highest Transit Passenger Loadings The Yonge Street Corridor is the highest transit passenger corridor in York Region with six of the highest loading points being on Yonge Street. Not surprisingly, five of the 10 highest loading points are at YRT/Viva terminals. The Richmond Hill Centre Terminal at Yonge Street and Highway 7 is York Region’s major transfer point for north-south and east-west transit travel. Table 8 and Figure 32 illustrate the top 10 highest transit passenger loading locations across York Region.

Table 8 - Top 10 Highest Transit Passenger Loading Locations (September 2013) Rank Locations Average Weekday Average Weekday Boardings Alightings 1 Finch GO Bus Terminal 194,421 169,587 2 Richmond Hill Centre Terminal 111,684 109,353 3 York University 77,466 66,942 4 Newmarket GO Terminal 56,698 52,272 5 Promenade Terminal 43,662 40,885 6 Yonge at Major Mackenzie 42,570 43,249 7 Bernard Terminal 38,505 37,824 8 Yonge at 16th Avenue/Carville 34,727 29,493 9 Yonge at Steeles 28,613 4,040 10 Vaughan Mills Terminal 26,759 24,258 Public Transit Three Chapter 74 Passengers boarding a Viva bus at Richmond Hill Centre Terminal Transportation

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C EffectiveccCo RRoa August 18, 2013, Produced by: Yo SteelSteeleses AAvenuevenue Eaastst Steeles Avenue West M Transportation Planning Transportation and Commuity Planning 9 and began operating on the © Copyright, The Regional Municipality of York, Jan, 2014 © Copyright, The Regional Municipalities of Durham 202Km2 0 2 Km and Peel, County of Simcoe, City of Toronto City of TTorontoo ronHighwayto 7 rapidways between Bayview © Queen’s Printer for Ontario 2003-2013 3 1 Avenue and East Beaver Creek in the Cit f T Townt of Richmond Hill. Viva Viva, York Region’s bus rapid transit system Queue jump lanes and traffic signal priority provides specially marked state-of-the-art assist buses travelling through congested buses, operates up to 20 hours a day and intersections. Figure 33 illustrates the 2013 runs every five to 19 minutes during the Viva service route. morning and evening rush hours. Viva currently operates five transit routes:

Viva blue Viva purple Yonge Street from Newmarket GO Bus Highway 7 from York University to the

Terminal (Eagle Street/Davis Drive) to the Markham Stouffville Hospital. This route Public Transit Finch GO Bus Terminal in north Toronto serves York University, Promenade Mall, with additional rush hour services Richmond Hill Centre Terminal (Yonge Street between Finch GO Bus Terminal and and Highway 7), Markham Centre (Warden Three Bernard Terminal. Avenue and Highway 7 area) and Markham

Stouffville Hospital. Chapter 75 quick facts

You can ride between Transportation Downsview Station and York University with your TTC pass or transfer as 2013 FactBook proof-of-payment. • Northbound: Board at Downsview Station or Dufferin-Finch • Southbound: Board at York University Viva (continued) or Murray Ross Viva orange North-South route provides service Provides a connection between McCowan between west Vaughan at Martin Grove Road/Highway 7 and TTC’s Don Mills Subway and TTC’s Downsview Subway Station, Station, servicing Unionville. via York University. It only provides direct service to Downsview Subway Station Viva pink during weekday rush hour periods. Unionville GO Station, along Highway 7 and south on Yonge Street to Finch GO Bus Terminal during weekday rush hour periods only.

Figure 33 2013 Viva Service Route Public Transit Three Chapter 76 Transportation

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Viva bus on the Highway 7 rapidway in the Town of Richmond Hill Public Transit Three

Viva bus station at Yonge and Eagle Streets in the Town of Newmarket Chapter 77 Transportation

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vivaNext York Region Rapid Transit Corporation (YRRTC) is responsible for the planning, design and construction of the vivaNext rapid transit network and related infrastructure to deliver the transit priorities set out in the York Region Transportation Master Plan. vivaNext is a vital part of the Region’s plan for the next generation of rapid transit and ensures that the high quality of life is maintained. YRRTC delivered the first phase of Viva, which involved the planning, design and implementation of the rapid transit network running in mixed traffic, the purchase of buses and the provision of off-board payment facilities. This phase was launched in 2005, with a steady increase in ridership of 28 percent to-date and over 23 million boardings in 2013. The York Region Rapid Transit project represents $1.7 billion in provincial transit investment, and is an example of in action – Metrolinx’s 25-year plan to implement a common vision for transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). The project is being implemented by Metrolinx, an agency of the Province of Ontario. The second phase currently underway is known as vivaNext and involves the design and construction of 36 kilometres of segregated centre-lane rapidways along much of the current Viva network. Integrated with the planned extension of the Yonge Street subway line north to the Richmond Hill Centre and the Toronto York Spadina Subway Extension (TYSSE) line currently under construction north to the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre. The plan is being implemented in multiple phases and along multiple segments: • Davis Drive in the Town of Newmarket (D1) • Highway 7 in the City of Vaughan (H2) • Highway 7 in the Town of Richmond Hill and the City of Markham (H3) • Yonge Street in the Town of Richmond Hill and the Town of Newmarket (Y2.1, Y2.2 and Y3.2) Public Transit Three Chapter 78 Viva bus station on Highway 7 at Bayview Avenue Tower in the Town of Richmond Hill Transportation

2013 FactBook

vivaNext (continued) The first segment of the Highway 7 in the • Completion of the Yonge Street Town of Richmond Hill and the City of rapidway from 19th Avenue in the Markham (H3) rapidway from Bayview Town of Richmond Hill to south of Avenue to Highway 404 opened on August Mulock Drive in the Town of Newmarket 18, 2013. The remaining section from • The Major Mackenzie Drive rapid transit Highway 404 to Warden Avenue is scheduled route that will serve as another major to open mid- 2014. The vivaNext transit artery, with connections to the Program is to be delivered in its entirety TYSSE, GO Transit lines and the Viva by 2019. Figure 34 illustrates the vivaNext Highway 7 rapidway Rapidway System. Contact Information The third phase of the vivaNext program For more information on vivaNext awaiting funding commitments includes projects please contact: the following: York Region Rapid Transit Corporation • The Yonge North Subway Extension Phone: 905-886-6767 that will provide a critical link for Website: www.vivanext.com passengers transferring between Find York Region Rapid Transit Corporation on: Viva and the TTC Public Transit Three Chapter Viva bus station on Highway 7 at Leslie Street in the Town of Richmond Hill 79 Figure 34 vivaNext Projects

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