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Light Metro > Busway > Rail-based Metro in Toronto
The Scarborough Rapid Transit line (SRT, Line 3) was an automated rapid transit line constructed in 1985 running rail vehicles similar to those used on the Vancouver Skytrain.
It draws an interesting comparison with what is happening on the Sunshine Coast with the DSCRL/The Wave.
The line is indicated as blue on the right side of this TTC map (Kenedy-McCowan):
After 40 years, the vehicles and system reached the end of its infrastructure life. The TTC continued to maintain and run the system, however in 2023, a derailment occurred. This led to the line being shut down.
The Scarborough RT Derailment Technical Reports
The corridor is set to be replaced by the extension of an existing subway line.
However, because this will take time, the regional transport authority Metrolinx, will construct a temporary busway into the corridor. The busway will then be incrementally removed as the rail-based metro tracks are extended.
There is a short video on this:
Notes
The future of TTC’s Line 3 Scarborough (SRT)
Excerpt of TTC Notice
Scarborough Busway (Line 3 Bus Replacement)
The Line 3 Busway is a proposal to construct a dedicated bus corridor serving as a replacement for the Toronto Transit Commission’s Line 3 Scarborough Rapid Transit system, which was decommissioned in 2023. The Busway is intended to provide continuous and reliable bus service in Scarborough.
Key Details about the Line 3 Busway:
- Route: The Busway will operate along a 4-kilometere area of former Line 3 right-of-way, following the same general route as the former Line 3 train service. This route will begin at Kennedy Station, stopping at Tara Avenue/Mooregate Avenue, Lawrence East Station, and Ellesmere Station. At Ellesmere Station, buses will depart the Busway, using Ellesmere Road’s priority bus infrastructure to connect to Scarborough Town Centre.
- Dedicated Infrastructure: The Busway will operate on dedicated lanes or corridors, designed to avoid regular traffic congestion, ensuring faster and more reliable transit times for passengers.
- Service: Multiple TTC bus routes will utilize the busway, providing frequent express eservice to accommodate the significant passenger demand that previously relied on Line 3 train service.
- Passenger Experience: Although buses typically have a lower capacity than the Line 3 trains, the TTC will continue to have an increased frequency of bus service to manage the higher ridership demand, aiming to minimize disruptions for commuters.
The Line 3 Busway is an important project, bringing meaningful improvements to surface network transit in Scarborough, and creating more transit options in eastern Scarborough by connecting to other rapid transit services.
Background
In July 2023, the TTC decommissioned service on Line 3, SRT. An on-street bus replacement service is now operating southbound via Midland Avenue and northbound via Kennedy Road between Scarborough Centre and Kennedy stations. The interim bus replacement plan not only addresses Line 3’s reliability issues but also allows the TTC to deliver AODA compliant service. The transit priority measures that have been implemented include: dedicated, red-painted bus lanes; transit signal priority; and adjustments to curbs, pavement markings, and turn restrictions at key locations.
Image of the busway from a TTC report:
Notes
TTC Board Paper
Scarborough Rapid Transit (SRT) Line 3 Bus Replacement and Busway Status Update
Date: January 25, 2024
To: TTC Board
From: Chief Capital Officer
From my understanding, they seem to be building the BRT in a different right of way (the same right of way as the old line) to the subway extension of line 2 (further east). I wonder if something similar could occur in the Sunshine Coast?