BRAMPTON, ON (December 18, 2020) – The City of Brampton and Metrolinx have reached a major milestone in their transit planning, advancing to the next stage of the Queen Street Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) study.
Queen Street, a designated rapid transit corridor in the City’s Transportation Master Plan, is the busiest transit corridor in Brampton with more than 28,000 transit customers each weekday. With population and employment anticipated to grow in the city by approximately 40 to 50 per cent over the next 25 years, transportation needs within the corridor will also grow. Rapid transit is essential to supporting population and employment growth, improves connectivity and provides a competitive travel choice for Brampton residents
The Queen Street BRT study recommends upgrading the existing Züm services on Queen Street to full bus rapid transit with dedicated lanes along with extending the Viva BRT Rapidway from York Region. In this next stage of the study, the City and Metrolinx can begin preparing for an environmental assessment that could begin early next year, leading to the preliminary design business case.
For more information on Queen Street Bus Rapid Transit, visit www.brampton.ca/QSBRT
Background:
- Close to 21,000 customers use Brampton’s current Rapid Transit Züm service (routes 501/501A/501C).
- Brampton has one of the fastest-growing transit systems in Canada. Over the past decade, ridership has grown 160 per cent compared to the 27 per cent in population growth, and transit ridership per capita doubled over the same time period.
- Planning for rapid transit on Queen Street is aligned with the overall regional transportation plan being led by Metrolinx.
- The Queen Street BRT Initial Business Case primary study area is centred on the Queen Street-Highway 7 corridor between Mississauga Road in Brampton in the west, to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre in the City of Vaughan in the east.
- This plan has reaffirmed Queen Street as an “In-Development” project and a key component of the Frequent Rapid Transit Network in the 2041 Regional Transportation Plan.
- The Metrolinx Brampton Queen Street Rapid Transit business case can be found here.
Note: ridership data under normal operating conditions prior to COVID-19 service changes in March 2020.
Quotes
“We welcome this announcement and thank Metrolinx for their leadership and commitment to continuing to advance the Queen Street Bus Rapid Transit study. Transit is an integral part of a healthy community and economy, and moving forward on foundational work like this will help us support the growth of a diverse, young, dynamic and fast growing city. Brampton City Council looks forward to continuing to work with our partners at Metrolinx to advance this important project.”
- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton
“Brampton is one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities and investment in transit is key to building an inclusive city that is safe, sustainable and successful. Advancing the Queen Street BRT is key to improving access to transit, while also enhancing Brampton as a Green City and achieving our climate change target of reducing greenhouse gas by 80 per cent by 2050. This is another great example of how residents benefit when our different levels of government work together.”
- Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 & 5; Chair, Community Services, City of Brampton
“This is exciting news for us at the City. With a rapid transit spine along Queen Street we can promote more density in Brampton and the area as a live, work, play destination. Not only does it link some of the city’s key destinations, but the Queen Street BRT will also provide a critical connection in the larger, inter-regional corridor connecting downtown Brampton with the Bramalea City Centre, Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, Richmond Hill Centre, Markham Centre, and beyond.
- Harkirat Singh, City Councillor, Wards 9 & 10
“While we continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, staff remain committed to the essential and critical work that keeps our city moving. I extend my sincere gratitude to City staff and the Metrolinx team who have continued to collaborate in advancing this significant project. The Queen Street BRT is key to advancing our Term of Council Priorities and will help further consolidate Brampton’s position in the Innovation Corridor.”
- David Barrick, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton
-30-
As one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, Brampton is home to 650,000 people and 70,000 businesses. People are at the heart of everything we do. We are energized by our diverse communities, we attract investment, and we are embarking on a journey to lead technological and environmental innovation. We partner for progress to build a healthy city that is safe, sustainable and successful. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Learn more at www.brampton.ca
MEDIA CONTACT
Megan Ball
Media Coordinator, City of Brampton
905.874.2143 | megan.ball@brampton.ca
