York Region Transit route 98 'Yonge'

	98 Yonge
Number of Branches		3
Types of buses used		New Flyer XD40; Nova Bus LFS
Division		North (TOK Transit)
Related routes		96, Viva Blue

98 Yonge (previously 98 Yonge North) is a local route operated by York Region Transit in Newmarket, Aurora, Richmond Hill, and Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Route Details

The current routing of route 98.

Route 98 mainly serves Yonge Street between Green Lane and Bishop Avenue.

Route 98 serves the Towns of Newmarket and Aurora, and the Oak Ridges, Inspiration, Downtown Richmond Hill, Bayview Glen, and Thornhill communities. It also serves Green Lane Centre, Dr. J.M. Denison Secondary School, Upper Canada Mall, Regional Headquarters, Sir William Mulock Secondary School, Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary School, Oak Ridges Moraine Library, and Bond Lake Arena.

Route 98 shares much of its length with Viva Blue.

Branches

This route has 3 branches:

• 98 Green Lane - Bernard Terminal
• 98/99 Green Lane - Finch Terminal (Late nights)
• 98/99 Finch Terminal - Newmarket Terminal (Last 3 trips NB late nights)

Historical Branches

• 98E Finch Terminal - Newmarket Terminal Limited Express

History

D40LF #609 at Bernard Terminal on route 98.

E-Z Rider II MAX #856 on Yonge Street on route 98.

• September 4, 2005 - To provide local service along the northern portion of Viva Blue between Newmarket GO Bus Terminal and Bernard Terminal, YRT introduced route 98. It was the first route to operate through both of the new zone boundaries, requiring a 2-zone fare. Even though Viva service would not be extended north of Bernard Avenue until November, route 98 service still started operating in September.

• November 20, 2005 - Service was revised to operate along Eagle Street into Newmarket Terminal, instead of along Davis Drive in both directions.

• January 1, 2006 - Late-evening service was revised to be interlined with 99 Yonge South. Route 98 and 99 buses operating after 10:30pm do not service the platforms inside Bernard Terminal, instead service the Viva stops located on Yonge Street. This makes the arrangement the longest YRT route, operating 2km further north than Viva Blue.

• April 30, 2006 - Late-night 98/99 interlined service was extended north from Newmarket GO Bus Terminal to Yonge Street and Green Lane.

• September 5, 2010 - To prevent confusion, with 'North' suffix was removed from route signs.

• November 15, 2010 - Route 98E was introduced, operating two trips in the afternoon express north from Finch Station to Industrial Parkway, then making all stops to Newmarket GO Bus Terminal. During the 2011-2012 YRT/Viva strike, route 98E was adjusted to make all stops north of Major Mackenzie Drive.

• April 23, 2012 - Route 98E was adjusted to make all stops north of Bernard Avenue.

• July 1, 2012 - Elimination of the second route 98E trip from Finch due to low ridership.

• February 2012 - Route 98E was declared fully accessible.

• December 2012 - Route 98 was declared fully accessible.

• August 31, 2014 - Operations for route 98E were transferred from Southwest Division to Southeast Division.

• April 5, 2020 - Branch 98E Yonge Limited Express is temporarily suspended due to lower ridership from the COVID-19 pandemic.

• September 6, 2020 - Service on branch 98E is restored.

• January 7, 2024 - Express branch 98E is discontinued to match ridership demand along Yonge Street, and to avoid the duplication of service with Viva Blue.

Vehicles

Route 98 is primarily a 40ft route. Due to turning radius restrictions near Bernard Terminal, it typically uses Nova Bus LFS buses. Occasionally, New Flyer XD40 buses may be used.

Route Maps

Daytime Service

• 
  Route 98
  September 2007 - 2010
• 
  Route 98E
  April 2012 - January 2024
• 
  Routes 98/98E/99
  April 2012 - January 2024
• 
  Routes 98/98E/99
  November 2010 - April 2012

Late-Night Service

• 
  Route 98/99
  April 2006 - Present

Summary

Major Stops

Route Stops and Connections
	98		Bernard Terminal	Blue - 81 - 83 - 86 - 99 - 443 - 445 - 447 - 448
	98		Yonge St. @ 19th Ave.	Blue - 81 - 442 - 447 - 450
	98		Yonge St. @ Jefferson Forest Dr.	81 - 447 - 450
	98		Yonge St. @ Jefferson Sdrd.	Blue - 81
	98		Yonge St. @ King Rd.	Blue - 22 - 96
	98		Yonge St. @ Bloomington Rd.	Blue - 22 - 91 - 96 - 429
‡‡‡	‡	‡‡‡	GO Transit Barrie line
	98		Yonge St. @ Henderson Dr.	Blue - 32 - 91 - 96 - 428
	98		Yonge St. @ Wellington St.	Blue - 32 - 33 - 96 - 432
	98		Yonge St. @ St. John's Sdrd.
	98		Yonge St. @ Mulock Dr.	Blue - 57 - 96 - 420
	98		Yonge St. @ Eagle St.	Blue - 56 - 96
	98		Newmarket Terminal	Blue - Yellow - 44 - 50 - 52 - 55 - 56 - 57 - 96 - 420 - 430
	98		Yonge St. @ Davis Dr.	Blue - 44 - 50 - 55
	98		Yonge St. @ Green Ln.	44 - 52 - 430

Historical Stops

Major Stop	Branches	Notes
	98

Service Summary

Frequencies
Period		Branch	Weekdays					Saturday			Sunday
			AM Peak	Midday	PM Peak	Early Evening	Late Evening	Early AM	Day	Evening	Early AM	Day	Evening
2022	Sept-	98	38	38	40	51	35	49	49	45	48	48	46
2021	Oct-Dec	98	48	53	53	48	47	49	49	45	48	48	44
	Apr	98	48	51	51	47	47	49	49	45	48	48	44
2020		98	42	51	51	46	47	42	51	46	42	51	46
2019		98
2018		98
2017		98
2016		98
2015		98
2014		98
2013		98
2012		98	30	46	34	45	36	36	32	36	25	30	30
2011		98	19-22	22	22	22	25	30	30	25	30	30	30
2010		98	19-22	22	22	22	25	30	30	25	30	30	30
2009		98
2008		98
2007		98
2006		98	20-30	30-35	30	30	30	30	30	30	30	30	30
2005		98	20-30	30-35	30	30	30	30	30	30	30	30	30