TTC report recommending bus service to Scarborough Bluffs this summer
The TTC is looking to add bus service to Bluffers Park this summer.
Almost a year ago, Scarborough Councillor Paul Ainslie made the recommendation to the TTC in a request asking that service to continue on Brimley Road south of Kingston Road to reach Bluffers Park in the summer.
“Currently the TTC bus on Brimley Road concludes at Kingston Road leaving visitors to Bluffers Park with the task of walking a very lengthy way to reach the park, often times carrying their necessities for a day long visit,” said Ainslie at the time.
“With the increased use of our public parks and the City’s initiative to encourage public transit to relieve congestion it would be valuable to offer our residents the bus service,” he said. “TTC bus service will also minimize the volume of cars entering the area for a safer and environmentally better way to access the beautiful park and beach located at Bluffers Park.”
At the January 18 TTC Board Meeting the transit agency will be discussing the addition of service to the popular summer destination.
The TTC says there are currently 560 parking spaces in Bluffers Park, and on busy weekends, these lots are full by 11:00 am, after which the access road is closed to vehicles. This usually results in spillover parking and traffic impacts on surrounding neighbourhoods.
The TTC Chief Customer Officer is now recommending that a trial for TTC bus service to Bluffers Park be implemented in summer 2018, “subject to infrastructure and operational requirements being met.”
According to the TTC report, the trial for the seasonal service will cost approximately $187,500 to operate on weekends and holidays, starting on May 13 until Thanksgiving Monday, October 8.
The TTC would fund $125,000 and the City of Toronto Parks, Forestry & Recreation will fund the incremental cost for the enhanced level of service which is approximately $62,500. The City would also assume responsibility for the capital costs of roadway modifications and the construction of new bus stops within the park.
Based on the utilization of parking, the report estimates the daily attendance at the park to be between 4,900 and 6,500 visitors per Saturday or Sunday in the summer months. Based on that, ridership is projected to be between 480 and 650 customer trips per day.
The proposed service would begin at Kennedy Station.
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