Viva Bus Rapid Transit Opens in Richmond Hill and Celebrates Connectivity across York Region
Ontario and York Region continue to get people moving with today’s opening of a bus rapid transit corridor along Yonge Street in Richmond Hill. This marks the completion of the first phase of bus rapid transit throughout York Region, offering 33.7 kilometres of fast, convenient service.
Minister of Transportation, Caroline Mulroney, said:Today’s opening of the Viva Bus Rapid Transit corridor marks a significant milestone for the residents and businesses of York Region. Investments in transit infrastructure projects strengthen economic growth and job creation for people at a time when needed most.
The new 6.5-kilometre rapidway runs along Yonge Street from Highway 7 to Major Mackenzie Drive and from Levendale Road to 19th Avenue/Gamble Road and it includes seven new vivastations. In the south, the rapidway connects to Bernard Terminal, Richmond Hill Centre Terminal, regional rail at Langstaff GO Station, and bus routes along Highway 7 in Richmond Hill, Markham and Vaughan. It will also connect to the future Yonge North Subway Extension which will extend the TTC’s Line 1 subway from Finch Avenue to the Richmond Hill/Langstaff Gateway Urban Growth Centre at Yonge Street and Highway 7. To the north, Viva buses connect to a bus terminal, GO train station and rapidways in Newmarket.
Metrolinx President and CEO, Phil Verster, said:We’re excited to be working in partnership with York Region Rapid Transit Corporation and their vivaNext project. This new bus rapid transit project is part of a true regional transit network to get people connected to the things that matter most.
York Region Chairman and CEO, Wayne Emmerson, said:York Regional Council remains committed to providing complete communities with transit-oriented urban centres that encourage sustainable transportation. With more people choosing to live and invest in York Region, we are preparing for future growth and providing residents and businesses with transportation infrastructure for generations to come.
This phase of the Viva bus rapidway network includes 33.7 kilometres of dedicated bus lanes and 38 new stations along York Region’s busiest corridors. These rapidways are bringing fast, reliable, comfortable travel options, and are part of a larger return on investment in place for generations to come.
Mayor, Dave Barrow, said:As Richmond Hill continues to grow, we know getting around the city easily is a priority for our residents and our Council, and working with our partners we are making it happen. We are pleased to welcome the opening of this stretch of rapid transit that will increase our connectivity to the transit network, improve accessibility for those who live and work in our community and provide a corridor for York Region residents to connect to the future Yonge North Subway Extension at Richmond Hill Centre.
The rapid transit project has delivered million of dollars in assets in York Region, including rapidway vivastations and lanes, boulevard work, underground infrastructure and streetscape features. These projects are more than just transit, they are complete street rebuilds, replacing and updating utilities and infrastructure, like water mains and bridges, adding bus lanes, and building new tree-lined sidewalks, traffic lanes and dedicated bike lanes.
The York Viva bus rapid transit project represents a $1.4 billion (2009 dollars) transit investment from the Government of Ontario, and is part of Metrolinx’s Regional Transportation Plan, a 25-year plan for an integrated and sustainable transit and transportation system in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The project is funded by Metrolinx, an agency of the Province of Ontario. Visit metrolinx.com for more information.
York Region Rapid Transit Corporation (YRRTC) is responsible for the planning, design and construction of the full vivaNext rapid transit network and related infrastructure to deliver on the transit priorities set out in the York Region Transportation Master Plan. YRRTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary and share capital corporation of The Regional Municipality of York.
This article was originally published by the York Region Rapid Transit Corporation.
