York Region Transit \ Viva

[SteveA666]

My friend saw 1617 on Lawrence Ave E just now. I check the tracker, it is on a route “812”. Anyone know what that is? Didn’t find anything after searching.

[patrickst]

4 minutes ago, SteveA666 said:

My friend saw 1617 on Lawrence Ave E just now. I check the tracker, it is on a route “812”. Anyone know what that is? Didn’t find anything after searching.

It's the shuttle to Aviva Insurance at Birchmount and Enterprise. Aviva contracts out the service to YRT, and it's only open to employees. The 812 operated to Lawrence East Stn, but not sure if that has changed with the Line 3 closure (it was formerly at Kennedy prior to Line 5 construction).

There are two other routes, the 811 and 813: one operates to Finch Stn, the other to the Hurontario/401 carpool lot.

[Articulated]

59 minutes ago, patrickst said:

The 812 operated to Lawrence East Stn, but not sure if that has changed with the Line 3 closure (it was formerly at Kennedy prior to Line 5 construction).

You are correct in all your info. And yes, the 812 still goes to (the former) Lawrence East Station, as there is no room to loop at Kennedy, not to mention no commuter parking available.

[FlyerD901]

York Region Transit signs contract for 170 New Flyer buses

The order includes 72 Xcelsior clean-diesel 40-foot buses (72 EUs) and 98 Xcelsior clean-diesel 60-foot buses (196 EUs). These state-of-the-art buses will be delivered over the next three years and, in combination with the agency’s previous 2023 purchase of 75 Xcelsior CHARGE NG® battery-electric buses, will enhance YRT’s service on both regular routes and the York Viva Bus Rapid Transit (vivaNext) rapid ways.

[GTAmissions1]

2 hours ago, FlyerD901 said:

York Region Transit signs contract for 170 New Flyer buses

The order includes 72 Xcelsior clean-diesel 40-foot buses (72 EUs) and 98 Xcelsior clean-diesel 60-foot buses (196 EUs). These state-of-the-art buses will be delivered over the next three years and, in combination with the agency’s previous 2023 purchase of 75 Xcelsior CHARGE NG® battery-electric buses, will enhance YRT’s service on both regular routes and the York Viva Bus Rapid Transit (vivaNext) rapid ways.

Thanks for sharing. That is a pretty massive commitment especially for almost 100 articulated buses over the next 3 years delivered in phases. 

Needing to leverage the volume discount and contractual terms before any major price increases. Seeing how a regular bus can go for around $920,000 to $950,000/unit depending on what kind of volume discounts can be secured alongside other contract details. 

It is a pretty massive commitment, though YRT definitely does have some older buses that are in need of replacement exceeding there 18 year lifecycle with refurbishment. 

[Articulated]

1 hour ago, GTAmissions1 said:

Thanks for sharing. That is a pretty massive commitment especially for almost 100 articulated buses over the next 3 years delivered in phases. 

Needing to leverage the volume discount and contractual terms before any major price increases. Seeing how a regular bus can go for around $920,000 to $950,000/unit depending on what kind of volume discounts can be secured alongside other contract details. 

It is a pretty massive commitment, though YRT definitely does have some older buses that are in need of replacement exceeding there 18 year lifecycle with refurbishment. 

YRT has a huge need to replace and modernize its fleet, as there are many buses that are currently at or past their normal life expectancy. The mid-late 2000s (especially 2005-06 with the launch of Viva) was a huge period for new bus purchases, and nearly all of the fleet from those years are still active. There are 228 buses requiring replacement by 2028, if you count up to the 10xx D40LFR units and the 13xx LFS Artic units.

No new conventional deliveries since 2022 (2023 if you count the 16 Van Hools cascaded from Viva) have constrained ridership growth and the provision of new services to accommodate crowding.

[FlyerD901]

Ok forgive me, I don't follow YRT that closely. But apparently based on comments on Steve munro, that the 7 Martin Grove will be cut from Rexdale to Humber college. I'm surprised the 7 never attempted to at least enter the casino. Yes, you can walk from rexdale to the casino. But looking at the demographic of the casino goers, they don't have the best mobility. 

I've observed the route from Humber back north, and it has good ridership. But I haven't observed it South of Humber college. 

[Articulated]

44 minutes ago, FlyerD901 said:

Ok forgive me, I don't follow YRT that closely. But apparently based on comments on Steve munro, that the 7 Martin Grove will be cut from Rexdale to Humber college. I'm surprised the 7 never attempted to at least enter the casino. Yes, you can walk from rexdale to the casino. But looking at the demographic of the casino goers, they don't have the best mobility. 

I've observed the route from Humber back north, and it has good ridership. But I haven't observed it South of Humber college. 

That is correct, the plan is to cut route 7 back to Humber College. Already, weekend service only goes as far south as Humber College.

The original routing of route 7 was primarily to serve Woodbine Mall, plus there was no bus terminal or place to turn around at Humber College. Now that Woodbine Mall is mostly dead (or at least not a major "regional" draw anymore), there is a convenient turnaround location at Humber College, and the One Fare allows for free connections to TTC for anyone wishing to continue on, it makes sense to cut the 7 back and reinvest the resources elsewhere.

[Yaro9728]

20 hours ago, Articulated said:

That is correct, the plan is to cut route 7 back to Humber College. Already, weekend service only goes as far south as Humber College.

The original routing of route 7 was primarily to serve Woodbine Mall, plus there was no bus terminal or place to turn around at Humber College. Now that Woodbine Mall is mostly dead (or at least not a major "regional" draw anymore), there is a convenient turnaround location at Humber College, and the One Fare allows for free connections to TTC for anyone wishing to continue on, it makes sense to cut the 7 back and reinvest the resources elsewhere.

Do you think that route 7 will have an improved frequency?

[York Transit]

YRT 2225 was spotted at the Hilton Garden Inn in Burlington.

I always thought YRT charters were not allowed outside of its regional borders / service areas.

How far technically are YRT charters allowed?

[GTAmissions1]

Service changes effective April 27th

Viva Blue:

First departures will change on Sunday/holidays

• First northbound trip from Finch GO Bus Terminal will depart at 5:43 a.m.  
• First southbound trip from Newmarket Terminal will depart at 6:55 a.m.   

Route 4: Major Mackenzie 

Service via Major Mackenzie West Terminal will exit the terminal via Amusement Drive.

Frequency adjustments in all time periods noted below:

Weekday

• Early morning – approximately every 17 minutes  
• Morning rush hour- approximately every 15 minutes  
• Midday – approximately every 23 minutes  
• Afternoon rush hour – approximately every 14 to 18 minutes  
• Evening – approximately every 16 minutes  
• Late evening – approximately every 17 minutes  

Saturday

• Morning – approximately every 30 minutes  
• Afternoon – approximately every 28 minutes  
• Evening – approximately every 29 minutes  

Sunday/holidays

• Morning – approximately every 29 minutes  
• Afternoon – approximately every 26 minutes  
• Evening – approximately every 28 minutes  

Route 7: Martin Grove

Will end at Humber Polytechnic. Service along Queens Plate Drive, Rexdale Boulevard, and Highway 27 south of Humber College Boulevard will be discontinued. Passengers may use TTC Route 927 – Highway 27 Express. There will be an additional southbound trip in the evening. 

Frequency adjustments noted below for weekdays:

• Early morning – approximately every 23 minutes  
• Morning rush hour – approximately every 29 minutes  
• Midday – approximately every 32 minutes  
• Afternoon rush hour – approximately every 28 minutes  
• Evening – approximately every 41 to 45 minutes  

Route 8: Kennedy 

• Weekday late evening frequency adjusted to every 25 minutes 

Route 9: Ninth Line 

Weekday frequency adjustments noted below 

• Morning rush hour – approximately every 33 minutes  
• Midday – approximately every 44 minutes  
• Afternoon rush hour – approximately every 33 to 42 minutes  
• Evening – approximately every 38 minutes  

Route 20: Jane 

Trips via Major Mackenzie West Terminal will be restructured to exit the terminal via Amusement Drive.

Frequency adjustments in all time periods noted below.

Weekday

• Early morning – approximately every 11 minutes  
• Morning rush hour – approximately every 13 minutes  
• Midday – approximately every 15-17 minutes  
• Afternoon rush hour – approximately every 13 to 15 minutes   
• Evening – approximately every 13 minutes  
• Late evening – approximately every 20 to 22 minutes  

Saturday

• Morning – approximately every 12 to 13 minutes  
• Afternoon – approximately every 14 to 15 minutes  
• Evening – approximately every 12 to 30 minutes  

Sunday/holidays

• Morning – approximately every 15 minutes  
• Afternoon – approximately every 13 to 17 minutes  
• Evening – approximately every 14 to 25 minutes  

Route 25: Major Mackenzie 

Select weekday trips adjusted to better connect with Go Trains at Richmond Hill Go Station noted below 

• 5:54 a.m. westbound trip from Major Mackenzie Drive and Woodbine Avenue (stop 6654) will depart at 5:50 a.m.  
• 6:18 a.m. westbound trip from Cornell Bus Terminal (stop 7338) will depart at 6:16 a.m.  
• 7:14 a.m. westbound trip from Cornell Bus Terminal (stop 7338) will depart at 7:12 a.m.  

Route 33: Wellington-Leslie 

Frequency adjustments noted below:

Weekday

• Morning rush hour – approximately every 44 minutes  
• Midday – approximately every 44 minutes  
• Afternoon rush hour – approximately every 46 minutes  
• Evening – approximately every 38 minutes 

Saturday

• Morning – approximately every 39 minutes  
• Afternoon – approximately every 43 minutes  
• Evening – approximately every 37 minutes  

Route 40: Unionville 

• Route 40: Unionville Local will simply be referred to as Route 40: Unionville 

Route 50: Queensway 

Select weekday trips adjusted to better connect with Go Trains at Newmarket Go Station noted below 

• 5:36 p.m. northbound trip from Newmarket Terminal will depart at 5:38 p.m.  
• 6:04 p.m. northbound trip from Newmarket Terminal will depart at 6:07 p.m.  
• 4:49 a.m. southbound trip from High Street and Burke Street will depart at 4:43 a.m. 

Route 54: Bayview 

Select weekday trips adjusted to better connect with East Gwillimbury Go Station and Aurora Go Station train departures noted below 

• 6:28 a.m. northbound trip from Victoria Street and Wellington Street will depart at 6:24 a.m.  
• 6:37 a.m. southbound trip from East Gwillimbury GO Station will depart at 6:34 a.m.  
• 6:52 a.m. northbound trip from Victoria Street and Wellington Street will depart  at 6:50 a.m.  
• 6:19 p.m. southbound trip from East Gwillimbury GO Station will depart at 6:20 p.m.  

Route 55: Davis

Select weekday trip adjusted to better connect with Newmarket Go Station departures noted below 

• 7:18 a.m. westbound trip from Davis Drive and Highway 404 will depart at 7:16 a.m. 

Route 88: Bathurst 

Early morning southbound trip will depart from Seneca Polytechnic King Campus to provide earlier service to customers north of Elgin West Community Centre at 5:37 AM

Weekend frequency adjustments noted below:

Saturday

• Morning – approximately every 29 to 34 minutes  
• Afternoon – approximately every 29 minutes  
• Evening – approximately every 26 minutes  

Sunday

• Morning – approximately every 31 to 35 minutes  
• Afternoon – approximately every 29 minutes  
• Evening – approximately every 25 minutes

Route 90/90B: Leslie 

Weekday service adjustments noted below

Route 90 branch frequency adjustment: 

• Midday – approximately every 32 minutes  
• Evening – approximately every 42 minutes  

Route 90B departure adjustments from Don Mills Station

• 7:21 a.m. northbound trip from Don Mills Station will depart at 7:20 a.m.  
• 3:57 p.m. northbound trip from Don Mills Station will depart at 3:56 p.m.

Route 96: Keele-Yonge 

Trip adjustment noted below to better connect with the train at King City Go Station. 

• 3:56 p.m. southbound trip from Newmarket Terminal will depart at 3:58 p.m.  

Route 165: Weston

• Using Major Mackenzie West Terminal will exit the terminal via Amusement Drive
• Will be restructured onto Weston Road and service along Old Weston Road will be discontinued
• Customers may use new stops along Steeles Avenue. 

Route 320: Jane Express 

• Servicing Major Mackenzie West Terminal will exit the terminal via Amusement Drive. 
• Service will be adjusted to match Canada’s Wonderland and Vaughan Mills Mall’s business hours. 

Weekday frequency noted below

• Approximately every 14 minutes from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.  
• Approximately every 12 minutes from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.  
• Approximately every 17 minutes from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.  
• Approximately every 11 minutes from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.  

Saturday frequency noted below

• Approximately every 11 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.  
• Approximately every 16 minutes from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.  
• Approximately every 12 minutes from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.  

Sunday frequency noted below

• Approximately every 11 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.  
• Approximately every 17 minutes from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.  
• Approximately every 11 minutes from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.  

Route 360: Vaughan Mills/Wonderland 

• Servicing Major Mackenzie West Terminal will exit the terminal via Amusement Drive.
• Service will be adjusted to match Canada’s Wonderland and Vaughan Mills Mall’s business hours. 
• Saturday frequency will be 30 minutes while Sunday frequency is 28 minutes 

Final comments:

It is nice to see Viva Blue start around 20 minutes earlier from the current departure of 6:04 AM from Finch Go Station and 7:16 AM from Newmarket bus terminal. 

Saturday service, Viva Blue has the first departure at 5:03 AM from Finch Go Station and 6 AM from Newmarket Bus Terminal. 

Plus adjustments to better connect with Go Train departures. I don't think the Go Train bus shuttles (200 series) will ever be coming back instead with local routes picking up the volume instead. 

[Stops At]

15 hours ago, York Transit said:

YRT 2225 was spotted at the Hilton Garden Inn in Burlington.

I always thought YRT charters were not allowed outside of its regional borders / service areas.

How far technically are YRT charters allowed?

They have a charter that runs on weekdays that goes out to the Hurontario park and ride. The charter you saw was most likely from a corporation.

[menath]

14 hours ago, York Transit said:

YRT 2225 was spotted at the Hilton Garden Inn in Burlington.

I always thought YRT charters were not allowed outside of its regional borders / service areas.

How far technically are YRT charters allowed?

They are allowed, pick up and return just has to be in york region

[Highway of Heroes]

2026AnnualTransitPlanProposedChanges.pdf

[GTAmissions1]

Looking at the slide deck attached, here are some of the interesting aspects. Not the full summary, but some of the notable items that come to mind. Will update later once I have more time to read and review. 

With how the documents will be uploaded onto the website effective May 4th with both proposed changes and new proposed system maps for 2026 to 2030 business plan. 

Viva Orange being converted to articulated buses for all trips instead of the current mix of 40 ft and 60 ft buses in certain time periods depending on availability if approved will be implemented in June 2026. To also provide additional capacity alongside utilizing the more readily available articulated buses.

There is plans for an overnight network which these routes would be proposed to operate late night noted below:

• 1: Highway 7 (Richmond Hill Centre to Cornell Transit Terminal)
• 20: Jane 
• 24/90: Woodbine-Leslie (similar to 324 Victoria Park/Warden on TTC)
• 77: Highway 7 (West of Yonge)
• 98/99: Yonge (between Finch Go and Newmarket Bus Terminal)
• 107B: Keele 

Final comments:

I do know that Route 1, 20, 77, 98/99 and 107B do currently operate overnight into the early morning hours to provide connections from the subway. With Route 98/99 Yonge being the combined route after 9 PM on weekends without needing to change at Bernard Station. 

Seeing how some transit agencies such as MiWay Transit operating 24 hours on select routes weekdays since April 2019. Durham Region Transit operating N1 and N2 around the clock with a minimum frequency of 30 minutes during the overnight hours. 

Will be interesting to see if York Region Transit does formally create an overnight network. Providing overnight service isn't cheap needing to subsidize from higher demand hours that have a lot more passenger volumes alongside security issues waiting in the early morning hours. 

[York Transit]

There are some really good frequency improvements.

I'm assuming OneFare had a dramatic impact on ridership?

[GTAmissions1]

1 hour ago, York Transit said:

There are some really good frequency improvements.

I'm assuming OneFare had a dramatic impact on ridership?

I have heard positive impacts with OneFare and not needing to pay separate fares saving passengers money in the process. Just need to retain the same payment method for the entire trip. 

[Yaro9728]

3 hours ago, York Transit said:

There are some really good frequency improvements.

I'm assuming OneFare had a dramatic impact on ridership?

Would be better to improve the frequency of 90 Leslie after 8 pm, instead of 40 minutes, it could be 25-27 minutes

[Mind_the_gap]

For the last several months, I've observed YRT XD60s heading "Not In Service" Westbound on Finch between Don Mills and Leslie around 7am.

Where are these buses heading?

My understanding was the only artic route in the area was the 90 Leslie.

[Articulated]

1 minute ago, Mind_the_gap said:

For the last several months, I've observed YRT XD60s heading "Not In Service" Westbound on Finch between Don Mills and Leslie around 7am.

Where are these buses heading?

My understanding was the only artic route in the area was the 90 Leslie.

They would be deadheading to Finch for route 811, a private charter route to Aviva's office in Downtown Markham.

[wt_enthusiast_photos]

YRT XE40 at New Flyer in Winnipeg yesterday 

[SeagullKingofVaughan]

Service changes for June 29th have been posted.

Weekend service is being trialed on the 9 Ninth Line, with buses arriving every 47 minutes. I’m interested in seeing how this will compare to the GO 70/71 bus, which normally arrives every two hours.

There is also a fare increase coming July 1st. The standard adult PRESTO fare will increase by 12¢, while cash/credit fares increase by 10¢.

Edited June 13 by Kara 15D3S
added fare change information

[GTAmissions1]

Service changes effective June 29th:

Viva Blue/Blue B and Viva Orange:

• Schedules and first/last departures will be adjusted in all time periods 

Viva Purple via Highway 7

• Weekdays: The last eastbound trip from Richmond Hill Centre Terminal (stop 9820) will depart at 12:47 a.m. instead of 12:42 a.m. 

Route 3: Thornhill 

Weekdays: Frequency adjustments noted below alongside first/last departures 

• Morning rush hour – every 32 minutes
• Midday – every 46 minutes
• Afternoon rush hour – 32 minutes
• Evening – every 43 minutes

Saturday: Frequency adjustments noted below alongside first/last departures 

• Morning – every 63 minutes
• Evening – every 62 minutes

Sunday/holiday:

• First eastbound trip will depart from Yonge Street and Royal Orchard Boulevard (stop 9775) at 9:43 a.m. instead of 9:45 a.m.

Route 9: Ninth Line

Weekend service will be trialed as part of a one year trial to gauge demand. Frequency is every 47 minutes with hours of service span noted below for Saturday and Sunday/holiday. 

Saturday: 

Northbound from Box Grove Bypass and Oakborough Drive (stop 5619)

• First trip – 6:53 a.m.
• Last trip – 8:59 p.m.

Southbound from Walmart (stop 5083)

• First  trip – 7:07 a.m.
• Last trip – 9:13 p.m.

Sunday:

Northbound from Box Grove Bypass and Oakborough Drive (stop 5619):

• First trip – 7:55 a.m.
• Last trip – 8:27 p.m.

Southbound from Walmart (stop 5083):

• First  trip – 8:09 a.m.
• Last trip – 7:54 p.m.

Route 24: Woodbine 

Sunday/holiday: Frequency adjustments noted below and schedule adjustments 

• Morning – approximately every 32 to 34 minutes
• Afternoon – approximately every 35 to 37 minutes

Route 40: Unionville 

Weekday peak periods: Frequency adjustments noted below and schedule adjustments 

• Morning rush hour  - approximately every 34 to 49 minute
• Afternoon rush hour – approximately every 31 to 46 minutes

Route 90: Leslie 

Weekday: Trip adjustments noted below 

• The additional northbound trip departing Don Mills Road  and  Steeles Avenue (stop 1936) at 2:39 p.m. for St. Robert Catholic High School will be suspended for the summer. 
• An additional southbound trip departing Leslie Street  and Headford Avenue (stop 1918) at 4:21 p.m. to ease overcrowding at the West Beaver Creek Business Park will be added for the summer.

91A: Bayview 

• The additional northbound trips departing Bayview Avenue and John Street (stop 2894) at 3:06 p.m. and 3:08 p.m. for Thornlea Secondary School will be suspended for the summer.

Route 98/99: Yonge (late night)

• Weekdays only: The last northbound trip departing Finch GO Bus Terminal (stop 2328) will depart at 2:40 a.m. instead of 2:33 a.m.

Route 105: Dufferin 

Weekdays: Frequency adjustments and drop-off service starting at Confederation Parkway and Dufferin Street (stop 3999) noted below.

The following northbound trips will become drop-off only starting at Confederation Parkway and Dufferin Street (stop 3999). After completing the northbound trip,  they will continue as southbound trips, also drop-off only until they end the trip at Confederation Parkway and Dufferin Street (stop 3998).

Impacted trips from Sheppard West Station: 8:30 AM, 5:38 PM, 6:08 PM and 6:42 PM

Frequency adjustments: 

• Morning rush hour - every 17 minutes
• Midday - every 29 minutes
• Evening - every 27 minutes
• Late evening - every 29 minutes

Saturday: Frequency adjustments noted below

• Evening - every 36 to 59 minutes

Sunday/holidays: Frequency adjustments noted below 

• Morning - every 34 minutes
• Afternoon - every 34 minutes
• Evening - every 34 to 59 minutes

Route 305: Box Grove Express

• The afternoon trip departing Finch GO Bus Terminal at 5:35 p.m. will depart from Platform 11 (stop 2331) instead of Platform 12 (stop 2332)

Route 320: Jane Express

• Adjustments to schedule and first/last departures in all time periods 

Route 360: Vaughan Mills/Wonderland

• Weekday seasonal service will resume for the summer 
• Adjustments to schedule and first/last departures on weekends and holidays 

Route 400 school series will be suspended for the summer resuming in September. Three routes will resume earlier on August 25th noted below:

• Route 404 – Markville School Special (Markville Secondary School)
• Route 424 – Keswick School Special (Keswick High School)
• Route 462 – Maple School Special (Maple High School) 

3 hours ago, Kara 15D3S said:

Service changes for June 29th have been posted.

Weekend service is being trialed on the 9 Ninth Line, with buses arriving every 47 minutes. I’m interested in seeing how this will compare to the GO 70/71 bus, which normally arrives every two hours.

There is also a fare increase coming July 1st. The standard adult PRESTO fare will increase by 12¢, while cash/credit fares increase by 10¢.

It does fill in a gap and help provide connectivity to Cornell Transit Terminal alongside the Walmart in Stouffville. Seeing how Go Transit has reduced departures due to a bus shortage with new buses coming later this year. Miss when departures were consistent to connect with the train and minimal waits since the bus holds for connection from the train. 

The weekend day pass is still a good deal for $10/day expiring 24 hours within the weekend/holiday period or until 4 AM the next day if activated on a Sunday or holiday.

The trial is one year and depending on the outcome, it may be extended or discontinued depending on funding commitments. Needing to gauge demand and not commit long-term so that people aren't too used to it and it gets cancelled due to high operational costs. 

[York Transit]

Does anyone know when the new VIVA buses will be delivered? Im assuming the new VIVA units will be  New Flyers? Im interested to see if they get high backed seating like Durham's Pulse units

[Articulated]

5 hours ago, York Transit said:

Does anyone know when the new VIVA buses will be delivered? Im assuming the new VIVA units will be  New Flyers? Im interested to see if they get high backed seating like Durham's Pulse units

I gotta assume that the Viva A330 replacement will come in the form of either the XE40 order this year, or the LFSe+ order next year. The question for me is how many 40' units will arrive. Orange is fully transitioning to 60' buses per the Annual Service Plan, so they only need enough 40' Viva-branded units to cover Yellow (which currently is 6).

But the upcoming artic order is for XD60, which means Viva will definitely be getting their first New Flyers. And yes, there will be Viva replacements in there, as the 2013 artics are due for replacement this year, and they need extra artics for both Orange's capacity increase and general service improvements.