York Region Transit
| File:YRT Logo.png | |
 YRT #582 on the #77 route in Woodbridge. | |
| Founded | 2001 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | 50 High Tech Road, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4N7 |
| Locale | York Region |
| Service area | Urbanized York Region. Rapid transit serves primarily Yonge Street and Highway 7 corridors. |
| Service type | bus service, bus rapid transit |
| Alliance | Toronto Transit Commission Brampton Transit |
| Routes | 66 |
| Stops | over 4000 |
| Hubs | Richmond Hill Centre Terminal Finch Terminal Vaughan Mills Terminal Newmarket Terminal Promenade Terminal Canada's Wonderland York University Markham Stouffville Hospital |
| Fleet | 357 |
| Fuel type | Diesel |
| Operator | Miller Paving Ltd., Tokmakjian Inc., First Transit, Veolia Transportation |
| Website | http://www.yrt.ca |
York Region Transit (YRT) is the public transit operator in York Region, Ontario, Canada. Its headquarters are in Richmond Hill, at 50 High Tech Road.
Overview
YRT operates 65 full time, rush hour and limited routes, 35 school services, 5 VIVA rapid transit routes and utilizes 13 Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) routes that run within York Region's boundaries. TTC passengers that cross Steeles Avenue (the Toronto-York boundary) must pay an additional fare (the YRT fare) to continue on that route (in practical sense, the TTC bus becomes a YRT bus when it crosses Steeles Avenue). There is also a joint service on Highway 7, Route 77, that is shared between YRT and Brampton Transit.
Some YRT routes operate within the City of Toronto; these buses are generally running to and from TTC subway stations. YRT northbound buses are allowed to pick up passengers south of Steeles Avenue if they are heading into York Region (but passengers must flag the bus from a designated TTC or YRT stop). YRT buses heading to a TTC subway station can similarly drop off passengers at designated stops south of Steeles Avenue, but are usually not permitted to pick up passengers from these stops (Notable Exception: people who get on on Steeles and make a transfer at Yonge).
History
YRT was created by the regional government in 2001 to combine the five municipally-managed transit authorities in the region:
- Vaughan Transit, since 1973
- Markham Transit, since 1973
- Richmond Hill Transit, since 1960
- Aurora Transit, merged in 1999 with Newmarket Transit
- Newmarket Transit
In mid-2006, the York Region Transit (YRT) logo was modified to bear closer resemblance to the VIVA logo and, by mid-2008, the entire fleet of YRT buses and bus stop signs will have their looks changed to bear the new colours.
Zones
YRT is currently divided into three zones (Zone 1, 2, and 3) with the boundary being the Oak Ridges Moraine (between the King Road Vivastation and the Bloomington Road Vivastation) and Ravenshoe Road; the zone rule is that you need a one-zone fare if your trip starts or ends within the boundaries and you need a two-zone fare if your trip passes completely through the boundary. Because there is no route that exists that passes through all three zones, all trips are two-zone, unless a transfer is made. Also, there is only one route which passes and Zone 2-3 boundary, which is Route 69 - Sutton GO Bus.
Services
All transit services in York Region are provided by private operators under contract. [1]
Division 1
- Area served: Markham and Stouffville
- Operator: Miller Transit Limited
- Facility: 8050 Woodbine Ave., Markham
- Web site: Miller Transit
Division 2
- Area served: Newmarket, Aurora, King Township, East Gwillimbury and Georgina
- Operator: FirstBus Canada (formerly Laidlaw Transit Limited)
- Facility: 534 Kent Dr., Newmarket
Division 3
- Area served: Richmond Hill
- Operator: Miller (same information as Div. 1)
Division 4
- Area served: Vaughan
- Operator: Can-ar Coach Service (A Division of Tokmakjian Ltd.)
- Facility: 221 Caldari Rd., Concord
- Web site: Can-ar
Division 5
- Services: Off-peak periods on Routes 40 & 27[2]
- Operator: Stock Transportation Ltd
Division 7
- Services: Viva (bus rapid transit)
- Operator: Veolia Transportation
- Facility: 18106 Yonge St., Newmarket - VIVA Blue
- Facility: Vaughan - VIVA Purple, Orange, Green and Pink
- Web site: Veolia BRT
Bus rapid transit
In response to escalating congestion on the region's roads, York Region's transit plan included a provision for a bus rapid transit (BRT) system along the Yonge Street and Highway 7 arterial corridors. This service, known as Viva, was launched in September 2005.
Phase 2 is expected to begin as early as late 2007, and includes the construction of bus only lanes on Yonge Street and eventually to Newmarket. Highway 7 bus lanes will be constructed later on.
Fares
Effective January 1, 2008, YRT's fares are as follows:
| Age group | Individual Fare 1-Zone | Individual Fare 2-Zone | Express | 10 Tickets 1-Zone | 10 Tickets 2-Zone | Monthly Pass 1-Zone | Monthly Pass 2-Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High School Students | $3.00 | $4.00 | - | $17.00 | $27.00 | $65.00 | $110.00 |
| Adults | $3.00 | $4.00 | $3.25 | $24.00 | $34.00 | $95.00 | $140.00 |
| Children and 65+ Seniors | $3.00 | $4.00 | - | $14.00 | $24.00 | $42.00 | $74.00 |
- 10 tickets 1-Zone: Express: $30.00
- Zone Upgrade (With Vaild Ticket): $1.00
- Ride to GO (With proof that you are riding GO) $0.50
- GTA Weekly Pass: $47.00 (Note: Extra fare required for YRT Zone Upgrade, YRT Express and TTC Downtown Express)
- In October 2007, York Region Council approved of a 25¢ single ride cash fare hike, bringing it up to $3. This will make YRT the most expensive transit system in the Greater Toronto Area in terms of cash fare.
- A proposed plan from the Ontario government calls for an integrated fare card system using smart card technologies called Presto card (formerly GTA Farecard), similar to Chicago Card and Hong Kong's Octopus Card. It is expected to be implemented in York Region in 2009.
Vehicles and fleet rosters
Please note that YRT has deveoped a new corporate design to match the new VIVA services. These include a new blue and white colour scheme on busses.
YRT has 357 buses (as of March 2007); operated by Miller Transit Ltd. in Markham/Richmond Hill, Tokmakjian (Can-Ar) Inc. in Vaughan, Laidlaw Transit Ltd. in Newmarket.
| Make/Model | Description | Fleet # | Notes
|
| General Motors T6H-4523N | 35' Diesel bus | 2006, 7526 | |
| General Motors TC40-102N | 40' Diesel bus | 8301-8302, 8304 | *8303 retired |
| Motor Coach Industries TC40102N | 40' Diesel bus | 2044-2047 | |
| Motor Coach Industries TC40102A | 40' Diesel bus | 2048-2052 | |
| New Flyer Industries D40HF | 40' Diesel bus | 8912, 8914, 8917, 8918, 8919, 8921-8924 | 2068-2072, 8911, 8913, 8915, 8916, 8920 retired |
| New Flyer Industries D40LF | 40' Diesel bus | 311-335, 401-412, 571-585, 601-609, 610- 618, 701-730 |  *333,610,611,7xx in new YRT livery
|
| Orion Bus Industries 01.502 | 30' Diesel bus | 891, 2020, 8502, 8602, 8503-8504, 8723, 8801, 9001-9002, 9003 | |
| Orion Bus Industries 01.507 | 35' Diesel bus | 8722 | |
| Orion Bus Industries 01.508 | 40' Diesel bus | 2021-2024, 2027-2030, 2033-2036, 8505-8506, 8710-8721 | 1 bus damaged in accident |
| Orion Bus Industries 05.501 | 40' Diesel bus | 001-014, 224-233, 301-310, 526-530*, 2053-2054* | *224 damaged in accident; retired
|
| Orion Bus Industries 05.505 | 30' Diesel bus | 9401 | |
| Orion Bus Industries 06.501 | 40' Diesel bus | 1045-1046, 2061-2067, 9701-9704, 9801-9802, 9931-9933 |
|
| Thomas SLF230 | 30' Diesel bus | 101-112, 113-117, 9901 |
|
| Thomas SLF235 | 35' Diesel bus | 201-223 |
|
| ElDorado National EZ Rider II | 30' Diesel bus | 541-547, 548-556, 557-570, 619-623 | *622 retired due to fire
|
| Overland Custom Coaches Ford ELF | Wheelchair Accessible Bus | 482,593,598,384,385 | * These are not all of the overland buses in the YRT fleet
|
| General Motors Astro | Utility Van | ||
| Chevrolet Impala | supervisor car |
- not accessible
For Viva bus fleet, see Viva (bus rapid transit).
Denotes wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
Staff
YRT operating staff are employed by their respective contractors.
Uniforms
YRT staff uniform consists of a white shirt with blue pin strips with YRT crest on the left chest and dark pants.
Transit enforcement
Fare Inspectors and Special Constables patrol the entire transit system for the safety and security of passengers and to ensure compliance with the proof-of-payment system. They make random checks onboard buses to ensure the proper use of tickets, transfers and passes. Customers without valid fares are subject to a warning, an instant fine or a criminal charge.
Terminals
Routes
denotes routes with accessible buses.
Numbering conventions
- 001 to 099 -- Regular bus routes
- 200 series -- GO Transit Shuttle (excluding TTC routes)
- 300 series -- Express (extra fare required)
- 400 series -- School Bus
- 500 series -- Community Bus (local)
Regular
All routes operate 7 days a week unless otherwise indicated.
1 Highway 7 (Richmond Hill Centre Terminal to Markham Stouffville Hospital)- 2 Milliken (Finch Subway-Markham Road via John Street/Denison Street) On Saturdays and Sundays only, the route is extended from Markham Road to 9th Line.
- 2A 14th Avenue (Woodbine Avenue to Markham Stouffville Hospital) Operates Monday to Friday only. During peak periods, this route operates via Rouge Bank Drive and Russell Jarvis Drive. In off-peak periods, it operates via Legacy Drive
- 3/3B Thornhill-York University (Route 3: York University-Don Mills/Steeles, Route 3B: York University-Don Mills/Steeles via York University GO Station) Route 3B operates Monday to Friday only and services the York University GO Train Station.
- (Route 4 only) 4/4A Major Mackenzie (Route 4: Jane-Woodbine, Route 4A: Bathurst-Mount Joy GO Station) During the summer, route 4 diverts into Canada's Wonderland. Route 4A operates only during peak periods.
- 5 Clark (Glen Shields-Finch Station) Operates from Monday to Saturday. The route loops via Dufferin and Glen Shields at the western end of Clark Avenue. The direction of the loop depends on the time of day.
- 7 Martin Grove connecting with the westerly Viva Orange Martin Grove Vivastation. Serving the intersection of Hwy 27 and Martin Grove Road, with some service to Steeles and Islington. Weekday service extended south to Woodbine Centre and Humber College North Campus in Toronto.
- 8 Kennedy links the intersection of Kennedy and Major Mackenzie with Steeles Ave via Unionville (GO Station), and Enterprise vivastations.
- Stouffville via Main St
- 10 York University-Woodbridge--serves areas of Woodbridge not provided by Viva Orange.
- 11 Woodbridge--Another route serving Woodbridge. During peak hours only, service is extened to Martin Grove Road via Highway 27.
- 12 Pine Valley links the YRT teminal at Vaughan Mills Mall with the intersection of Islington and Steeles, and does not operate on Sunday.
- 13 Islington links Napa Valley Road with Islington and Steeles. During peak periods, trips are extended into Kleinburg. Trips into Kleinburg do not operate on weekends. This route does not operate on Sundays.
- 15 Stouffville Local -- replaces 9A
- 18 Bur Oak links the Markham Stouffville Hospital with Angus Glen Community Centre, with no service on Sunday.
- 20 Jane-Concord. From York University to Teston/Jane via Vaughan Mills.
- 22 King City links Maple Community Centre with Seneca College King Campus via King City GO Station, and does not operate on Sundays.
- 23 Thornhill Woods (Finch Station-Rutherford) Operates from Monday to Friday. Travels from Finch Station to Promenade Shopping Center via Yonge, Steeles, Hilda, Clark, Atkinson, and Bathurst (in order). From Promenade, the route heads north along Bathurst to Highway 7, before turning into the Thornhill Woods area. The route winds along Maple Sugar Lane, Pleasant Ridge Road, Summeridge Drive, and Thornhill Woods Drive before travelling east to its end at Bathurst and Rutherford.
- 27 Highway 27. Limited Service Monday-Saturday to Highway 27 Commercial District between Highways 407 and 7, west of Highway 27.
- 31 Aurora North
- 32 Aurora South
- 33 Wellington Street (started June 2006)
- 34 Industrial Parkway
- 40 Unionville Local (Woodbine-Markville Mall) Serves the Unionville area, north of Highway 7.
- 41 Markham Local. Serves the Cornell area east of McCowan, north of Highway 7.
- 44 Bristol-London. -- the evening service is a "dial a ride pilot service
- 50 Queensway Runs in Georgina, in the Keswick area until September 1, 2007, when GO Transit Route 69 will replace such service.
- 51 Keswick Local Runs in Georgina, in the Keswick area.
- 52 Holland Landing. Runs between Newmarket and Holland Landing, and serves East Gwillimbury GO Train station.
- 54 Bayview North
- 55/55B Davis Drive
- 56 Gorham-Eagle
- 57/57A Mulock Drive
- 58 Leslie North
- 58A Leslie North-Mount Albert (started April 2006)
- 77 Highway 7/Centre (joint service with Brampton Transit between Bramalea City Centre and Finch Station) On Sundays and holidays, the route is altered to run along Clark Avenue from Yonge to New Westminister, before turning onto New Westminister to access the Promenade Terminal and continue its regular route. This makes up for the 5 Clark bus on Sunday.
- 82 Valleymede-Spadina
- 83/83A Trench
- 84A/84C Oak Ridges
- 85/85A/85B Rutherford/16th Avenue
- 86 Weldrick-Newkirk
- 87 Langstaff-Maple
- 88 Bathurst
- 89 Richmond Hill Community Bus
- 90 Leslie South
- 91/91A Bayview South (Finch Subway/Richmond Hill) Formerly a GO Transit Route.
- 98 Yonge North (Yonge/Green Lane-Bernard Terminal) Only YRT bus to cross two fare zones.
- 99 Yonge South (formerly Yonge 'C' route; previously served by GO Transit and TTC
- 224B Woodbine Avenue (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
- 520/521 Newmarket Community Bus
- 522 Markham Community Bus
Viva
- Viva Blue operates from Finch Station to Newmarket Terminal with additional rush hour service to Bernard.
- Viva Green operates on a route which runs between Don Mills Station and McCowan.
- Viva Orange operates between Downsview Station and Martin Grove via York University.
- Viva Purple operates between Markham Stouffville Hospital and York University.
- Viva Pink operates during rush hours only between Finch Station and Unionville Station via Richmond Hill Centre Terminal.
TTC routes in York Region
- 17A Birchmount--Monday-Friday peak hour extension north of Steeles to 14th Avenue
- 24D Victoria Park--Monday-Friday extension north of Steeles to Woodbine and Major Mackenzie Drive.
- 25D Don Mills-- Extension north of Steeles to 16th Avenue.
- 35D Jane-- Extension North of Steeles to Vaughan Mills
- 37D Islington--Monday-Friday Peak Hour Extension north of Steeles to Highway 7 and Weston Road
- 68B Warden--Extension north of Steeles to Major Mackenzie
- 102D Markham Road--Extension north of Steeles to Major Mackenzie
- 105 Dufferin North-- Extension North of Steeles to Major Mackenzie
- 107B/107C/107D/107F Keele North--Extensions north of Steeles serving Rutherford GO Train Station, Major Mackenzie, and Teston Road
- 129A McCowan North--Extended North of Steeles to Major Mackenzie
- 160 Bathurst North--Extended North of Steeles to Prominade Terminal, and north of Centre Street
- 165D Weston North--Extended north of Steeles to Major Mackenzie; seasonal extensions to Canada's Wonderland
- 224C/224D Victoria Park North--Monday-Friday Peak Service extensions North of Steeles, 224C into Dennison Avenue Industrial area, 224D north towards Major Mackenzie.
GO Shuttles
GO Shuttle routes are intended to transport commuters to (in mornings) and from (in afternoons) from GO stations for a cash fare of 50 cents, with proof of GO fare. Prior to the spring of 2007, afternoon GO Shuttle routes could not officially pick up any passengers after leaving the GO station. That policy has been changed and the routes may now pick up other passengers, but the special discounted fare does not apply - such passengers must pay the full fare or show a valid transfer. As these routes provide connections to and from GO stations, they are subject to changes with GO operations and could even be cancelled if there is no GO passenger needing the service. In YRT's words, "Due to this specialized nature of GO Shuttle routes, we do not encourage the use of these routes for regular (daily) local trips and will not be publicizing their availability."
- 201 Markham GO Shuttle
- 202 Unionville GO Shuttle
- 215 Stouffville GO Shuttle, begins in September 2007.
- 222 Aurora-Newmarket GO Shuttle
- 223 Newmarket GO Shuttle
- 240 Mill Pond GO Shuttle
- 241 Beverly Acres GO Shuttle
- 242 North Richvale GO Shuttle
- 243 Redstone GO Shuttle
- 260 Rutherford GO Shuttleto be discontinued September 1, 2007
Express routes
Unless otherwise indicated, all routes go to/from the Finch Subway Station.
- 300 Business Express--a reverse express service for the business park in Unionville. Provides service from Finch in the morning and to Finch in the afternoon.
- 301 Markham Express--serves roughly the same area as the Markham Local bus route.
- 302 Unionville Express--serves roughly the same area as the Unionville Local bus route.
- 303 Cornell Express--serves the Cornell area including Bur Oak Av. and some of the Markham Local route.
- 340 Bayview Express--provides service along Bayview Avenue between Subrisco and High Tech Rd--to be discontinued on September 1, 2007.
- 360 Maple Express--provides service from Yorkdale Subway Station to Vaughan Mills and Maple. Provides reverse peak service (from subway in morning, to subway in afternoon) as far as Major Mackenzie/Vaughan Mills in addition to regular peak service to/from a loop further along the route.
Future routes
- 42 Bridle Walk. Service begins mid-2008, Unionville GO Station to Major Mackenzie/The Bridle Walk during peak periods only.
- 45 Mingay. Service begins mid-2009, from Markville Mall to Mingay Avenue/Major Mackenzie Drive, peak periods only.
Current officers
As of November 2007, the executive of YRT consists of:
- Chair Bill Fisch (York Region Chair)
- Vice-Chair Regional Councillor David Barrow
- General Manager Donald Gordon
- Vice-President of Operations (YRT and Viva) Mary-Frances Turner
See also
External links
- York Region Transit
- YRT/VIVA Offical Route Map
- Viva official site
- York Region Transit Fleet Roster
- The Toronto LRT Information Page (Page has a rendering of what a VIVA LRV could look like)
References
- Markham Transit 1990 Rider's Guide, Town of Markham
- Markham Transit Fall 1994 Rider's Guide, Town of Markham
- Markham Transit Fall 1999 Rider's Guide, Town of Markham
- Markham Transit 2000 Rider's Guide, Town of Markham
- Transit History...Vaughan
- Transit History...Markham
- Transit History...Richmond Hill
- "vivatalk - York Region's Rapid Transit Update", Economist & Sun/Sun-Tribune: Community, June 11, 2005, p 7.
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