The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has announced it is on track to open the Scarborough Busway on Sept. 30, more than six months ahead of the originally projected date. The agency says the project is set to bring faster, more reliable transit to Scarborough residents. The four-kilometer (2.5-mile) busway will operate between Kennedy and Ellesmere stations.

“Scarborough residents are getting faster, more affordable transit,” said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. “By September 30, more than 118,000 riders each week will save over an hour travelling on the speedy busway. With fare capping also coming into effect in September, the more you ride, the less you pay. Most evenings and weekends will be free for people who work five days a week and take the TTC.”

The TTC noted that full testing of the busway will be conducted in early September to identify and correct any issues before service begins on Sept. 30. Multiple TTC bus routes will use the busway, offering frequent express service to accommodate the significant passenger demand previously served by Line 3 trains. The busway is set to provide dedicated infrastructure, including lanes and corridors, to bypass regular congestion in an effort to provide more reliable, faster travel for the region. Funding for the project was approved by the city council in 2024.

“Transit riders in Scarborough deserve high-quality, reliable transit service that works for them,” said TTC Chair Jamaal Myers. “The busway will serve thousands of TTC customers while the subway extension is being completed and will continue to expand and enhance transit in the city.”

Since November 2023, the TTC has been operating an interim bus replacement service with full transit priority measures, following the closure of the Line 3 Scarborough RT. 

The Scarborough Busway will operate along a section of the former Line 3 corridor. It will begin at Kennedy Station, stopping at Tara Avenue/Mooregate Avenue, Lawrence E. Station and Ellesmere Station. Buses will then use Ellesmere Road’s priority bus infrastructure to connect to Scarborough Town Center. Once operational, trips between Kennedy Station and Scarborough Centre Station are expected to take approximately 15 minutes.

"We are on track to open the Scarborough Busway on September 30, more than six months earlier than originally projected," said TTC CEO Mandeep Lali. "The busway will provide a fast, reliable connection between Kennedy Station and Scarborough Centre Station, saving riders more than an hour a week on their commute."