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CTV News
5 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Toronto city staff scaling back plan to install dedicated transit lanes on Bathurst Street
Vehicles are seen lined up at the intersection of Bathurst and Dupont streets on May 27. (CTV News Toronto Chopper/photo) Toronto city staff are scaling back their plan to install dedicated bus lanes on Bathurst Street following pushback from several businesses. In a report going to the Executive Committee next week, staff are recommending that priority streetcar lanes be installed on Bathurst Street between south of Bathurst Station and Lake Shore Boulevard West, except for a segment from Nassau to Dundas streets due to construction at Toronto Western Hospital. Staff initially proposed that priority bus lanes be created in the northbound and southbound curb lanes of Bathurst Street from Bloor Street West to Eglinton Avenue West but that is no longer part of the plan. Now, staff say, 'Further consideration of the section between Eglinton Avenue West and Bathurst Station is proposed to be undertaken at a future time.' The changes come amid backlash from retailers along a stretch of Bathurst Street in The Annex, who said they would be negatively affected by the bus lanes, which may result in some businesses closing. The businesses were worried that curb lane access to parking, delivery, service, and renovation vehicles would be removed as a result of the transit lanes. The proposed measures for Bathurst are part of a city council-endorsed surface transit network plan called RapidTO, which aims to guide the study, evaluation, and delivery of several bus and streetcar improvement projects in Toronto. Last year, council directed staff to accelerate RapidTO projects on Dufferin and Bathurst streets for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. On Dufferin Street, staff are recommending that council approve the installation of bus lanes between Bloor Street West and Springhurst Avenue. They are also hitting pause on the creation of bus lanes between Bloor Street and Eglinton Avenue West at this time. The city said construction for the streetcar lanes would begin in the fall and is expected to be finished before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to the report, the implementation of the transit priority on Dufferin and Bathurst is expected to cost $8 million. There will be a total of 352 parking spaces that will be removed on the two streets as a result. With files from Joanna Lavoie
Toronto Star
30-06-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
Why the battles over bus and bike lanes have grown so fierce — and what it says about Toronto's streets
A group of local businesses owners and residents gathered at Kos Café on Bathurst Street to voice their concerns over the RapidTO bus lanes the city is considering installing. Nick Lachance Toronto Star
Toronto Sun
11-06-2025
- Business
- Toronto Sun
Resident group wants city to pause proposed RapidTO changes to Bathurst St.
TTC streetcars are seen along Dundas St. W. in Toronto on Aug. 7, 2024. Photo by Ernest Doroszuk / Files / Toronto Sun A newly-formed group of business owners and concerned residents are pushing back on plans to install transit-only lanes on a significant stretch of Bathurst St. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Protect Bathurst, formed last month in response to the city's RapidTO plans that would see the creation of priority TTC streetcar and bus lanes between Lakeshore Blvd. and Eglinton Ave., say they want to see the proposed implementation paused for now. A redesigned Bathurst St. would see priority bus lanes in the northbound and southbound curb lanes from Eglinton Ave. to Bloor St. and priority streetcar lanes from Bloor St. to Lake Shore Blvd. But the group said the proposal would eliminate 480 curbside parking, stopping, and loading spaces along the 7.5-kilometre stretch and would be enforced by cameras 24 hours a day. Paul Macchiusi, local resident and owner of Minerva Cannabis on Bathurst St., is part of a group that wants the city and TTC to pause a rapid transit plan for the street. Photo by Stephanie Macchiusi / Handout According to the city, the 7 Bathurst bus and 511 Bathurst streetcar serve more than 35,000 riders on weekdays. People who take transit on Bathurst St. endure 75% longer trips than those who drive, and only 63% of buses and 79% of streetcars arrive on time due to traffic congestion. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Let me be clear: We are not anti-transit,' Paul Macchiusi, local resident and owner of Minerva Cannabis on Bathurst St., said at a news conference at Kos Cafe on Wednesday morning and attended by more than 100 supporters. 'All of us want better transit. Many members in our community are transit users as are many of our customers. Better transit benefits everyone. 'However, the RapidTO plan — while improving transit for riders — does so at the expense of everyone else.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A virtual public meeting was held by city and TTC staff on May 12 to explain the plans as well as two public drop-in events on May 10 and 14. A survey asking residents their opinion of the rapid transit corridor was also made available last month. At a TTC Board meeting on May 14, city staff said they are prioritizing Bathurst and Dufferin Sts. for rapid transit ahead of Toronto hosting the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament next year. Besides transit, the plan also allows emergency vehicles and cyclists to use the priority lanes. RECOMMENDED VIDEO However, Protect Bathurst is demanding proper accessibility and safety assessments be conducted and affected community members are fully consulted due to concerns that the plan ignores how people actually access their homes and businesses. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Macchiusi said 'there will be nowhere for someone to stop and help an aging parent, nowhere for children to get dropped off and go to daycare, nowhere for residents to unload groceries, nowhere for people with mobility issues to park close enough to their destinations, and nowhere for delivery vehicles to unload goods safely.' Other residents and business owners also spoke, including St. Peter's Church parishioner Angelina Petherbridge, who said she received a transit update from Ward 11 Councillor Dianne Saxe. Give your feedback - RapidTO: Bathurst! The TTC & #CityofTO are looking to improve transit on Bathurst Street, and considering prioritized bus lanes from Eglinton to Lake Shore West to improve reliability, & want to hear from residents 🚎🚇🚋 Review the information at… — Dianne Saxe - Toronto City Council Ward 11, UR (@DianneSaxe) May 20, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. According to Petherbridge, Saxe appears willing to talk further about the transit proposal with concerned residents. 'We just want to make sure she commits to preserving our space for funerals, weddings and accessibility,' Petherbridge said. The Sun reached out for comment from Councillors Saxe and Josh Matlow, whose wards will be affected by the proposed road changes, but have yet to receive a response. Meanwhile, transit advocacy group TTCriders said on social media that people who take transit along Bathurst and Dufferin Sts. are 'enthusiastically in favour of a faster and more reliable commute' that would allow them to spend less time on packed vehicles and more time with family and friends. 'We still support RapidTO dedicated lanes on Dufferin and Bathurst as designed by City staff and are waiting to see the what recommendations come out from the public consultations when they are presented to the Executive Committee,' the group added. Read More Celebrity NHL Editorial Cartoons Columnists Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
‘Protect Bathurst' campaign uses AI-generated videos to fight proposed bus lanes
As business owners push back against dedicated bus lanes on Bathurst Street, some are turning to artificial allies. With the proposed expansion of the city's RapidTO bus lane program — trading 138 paid parking spots on Bathurst for faster commutes — some business owners have rallied under a 'Protect Bathurst' campaign, aiming to warn the community of the priority lanes' impact on local businesses. However, the campaign has used AI-generated videos on its Instagram page to warn that reduced parking will block car-bound shoppers and people with mobility issues. Two of the campaign's videos mimic a grassroots approach — people strolling outside, warning how bus lanes could hurt local businesses. But, the same footage has appeared in ads for other causes, with only the script swapped. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'Now, don't get me wrong, priority lanes are crucial during rush hour,' one video says. 'But what about the rest of the time? Why not give access back to the community when it's not rush hour? It's time for a solution that works for everyone — commuters, residents and businesses alike.' Gta The battle for a bus lane: Why rapid transit on this Toronto main street is sparking backlash Local businesses say a proposed dedicated bus lane would threaten their livelihoods, while city councillors and many transit riders want to see Gta The battle for a bus lane: Why rapid transit on this Toronto main street is sparking backlash Local businesses say a proposed dedicated bus lane would threaten their livelihoods, while city councillors and many transit riders want to see The new dedicated bus routes are part of a proposed expansion of the city's RapidTO bus lane program onto Dufferin Street (from Dufferin Gate to Eglinton Avenue West) and on Bathurst Street (for buses and streetcars, from Lake Shore Boulevard to Eglinton Avenue West). Approved by the TTC board, the proposed lanes could be changed depending on input from public consultations. Three public consultations (two in-person and one virtual) for the Bathurst street bus lanes were held earlier this month. Before the routes are installed, the proposal will need the approval of city council. Star contributing columnist Shawn Micallef posted about the videos on BlueSky Tuesday night. In a thread, he pointed out that one of the campaign's two videos has been used by several companies, with the same person promoting different products from stocks to personal trainers to solar panels. A reverse image search conducted by the Star found 45 identical matches of one of the videos across social media — some in different languages. A separate image search conducted by the Star show a second video from the campaign appeared in at least three other company ads. The TTC and city's plans for proposed priority bus lanes on Bathurst Street. TTC and City of Toronto Public domain registration records show the 'Protect Bathurst' website was registered by a food marketing consultant for Summerhill Market, an independent grocery store with six locations in Toronto — including one on Bathurst Street. The campaign's website lists no spokesperson or contact information, and its layout closely resembles 'Protect Dufferin' — another group of 'concerned residents' opposing the same bus lane expansion on Dufferin Street. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Brad McMullen, president of Summerhill Market, told the Star he helped launch the 'Protect Bathurst' initiative after learning about the proposed bus lanes three weeks ago, when an employee mentioned the dedicated lanes after hearing from a customer. He said his business isn't associated with the campaign's Instagram page, and the AI-generated videos have 'nothing to do with Summerhill Market.' The Star reached out to the Instagram page about its initiative, but received no response. Concerned about the bus lanes' impact, McMullen spoke with other local business owners, and together they started the 'Protect Bathurst' campaign. Contributors Opinion Shawn Micallef: How this transit plan could finally make 'Sufferin' Dufferin' a thing of the past There are 'RapidTO' plans to create transit priority lanes on Dufferin as well as Bathurst streets. Contributors Opinion Shawn Micallef: How this transit plan could finally make 'Sufferin' Dufferin' a thing of the past There are 'RapidTO' plans to create transit priority lanes on Dufferin as well as Bathurst streets. 'In its current form, I think (the proposed bus lanes) will highly limit access for deliveries and customers,' McMullen said. 'Some alternatives have been suggested, but they unfortunately (don't) work for our use.' Half of a large parking lot at their Bathurst location, McMullen said, belongs to Summerhill Market. The bus lanes will clog the lot's driveway as delivery drivers try to pick up orders for customers, McMullen added. Toronto has the eighth-worst traffic in North America, according to a 2024 TomTom report — and buses are stuck in it. TTC data shows average bus speeds have dropped from 20 km/h in 2013 to 17.2 km/h in 2024. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW On Bathurst Street, it's even slower at just 13 km/h, making transit trips up to 75 per cent longer than for drivers for the more than 35,000 riders on the Bathurst bus or streetcar on an average weekday. McMullen said last week all 500 of his employees use the TTC to commute to work, and he's exploring legal options to see if he can slow down the approval process for the bus lanes. The online petition for 'Protect Bathurst' had more than 1,500 signatures on Wednesday afternoon, and a public survey will remain open until May 26. 'I'm still grappling with the impact,' McMullen said, 'and how to navigate the impact of the proposal.' With files from Andy Takagi
Toronto Star
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Toronto Star
The battle for a bus lane: Why rapid transit on this Toronto main street is sparking backlash
Nothing can convince Davina Winer that dedicated bus lanes on Bathurst Street are worth it. To her, they feel like an existential threat, to her business and the local community. The women's clothing store Winer owns sits just south of Dupont and Bathurst streets. Some of the customers she relies on come from out of town or have accessibility needs. They need the kind of on-street parking that could be taken out and replaced with a priority bus lane as part of the city's RapidTO project.
