🚍 Next Stop: Jane Street BRT Could Transform Vaughan — If Funding Follows

Jane Street BRT project in York Region awaits provincial funding decision

VAUGHAN — A major north-south transit corridor in York Region is moving into a critical phase — but its future will depend on one key factor:

Funding.

The proposed Jane Street Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line, spanning approximately 6.3 kilometres from Highway 7 to Major Mackenzie Drive, is now advancing through the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) — a formal environmental assessment and planning stage that will shape how the corridor is ultimately delivered.

Identified as a priority within York Region’s rapid transit network, the project is designed to serve one of Vaughan’s fastest-growing corridors — where demand for transit is already rising and expected to accelerate.

A Corridor Under Pressure

Jane Street is already one of Vaughan’s busiest north-south routes, currently supporting:

12,000 daily transit trips
Projected to exceed 20,500 daily trips by 2035

At the same time, the corridor is expected to see significant long-term growth, including:

• 61,000+ new residential units (through active development applications)
• 151,000+ residents by 2051
• 23,000+ jobs by 2051

Heavy traffic conditions along Jane Street already reflect this pressure. Without higher-order transit, congestion and travel delays are expected to increase.

A Project in Active Planning

The Jane Street BRT is part of York Region’s Viva Next rapid transit expansion and is now progressing through the TPAP, which includes:

• Environmental assessment
• Public consultation and open houses
• Preliminary engineering and design
• Corridor surveying and technical testing

Recent public consultations, including open houses held in late 2025, have provided updated design concepts and gathered community feedback.

A Median Rapidway with Complete Streets Design

Current plans call for a centre-running (median) rapidway, designed to improve travel speed and reliability while supporting long-term corridor growth.

Key features include:

• Dedicated median bus lanes
• New Viva stations at key locations
• Intersection upgrades and transit priority measures
• Improved pedestrian and cycling infrastructure

The project is also being designed using a “complete streets” approach, ensuring the corridor accommodates all users — including transit riders, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

This approach reflects a shift toward building transit corridors that support both mobility and community development.

Designed as Part of a Larger Network

The Jane Street BRT is not a standalone project — it is designed to integrate with key transit infrastructure across Vaughan, including:

• Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (Line 1 subway terminus)
• SmartVMC Bus Terminal
• Vaughan Mills Terminal
• Major Mackenzie West Terminal
• Highway 7 Viva BRT corridor

These connections will allow riders to transfer seamlessly between local, regional, and rapid transit services — strengthening overall network connectivity.

Signal Priority and Intersection Performance

The project includes plans for transit signal priority and intersection improvements, aimed at reducing delays and improving travel times.

This will be a critical factor in ensuring the corridor delivers on its promise of faster, more reliable service — particularly as traffic volumes continue to grow along Jane Street.

Moving Toward Implementation

With detailed planning now underway, the project is moving beyond early concept stages.

Project materials indicate:

• Potential roadway modifications
• Minor property requirements
• Detailed corridor design considerations

These elements signal that the Jane Street BRT is progressing toward a build-ready stage, pending funding approval.

Funding Remains the Critical Step

While planning is advancing, construction funding has not yet been secured.

York Region’s 10-year Capital Plan includes funding for environmental assessment and preliminary design, ensuring the project is ready for implementation.

However, full delivery will require funding commitments from senior levels of government, including the province.

Regional officials are working with the province — through Metrolinx — to advance funding discussions for both:

• The Jane Street BRT corridor
• The Highway 7 BRT extension in Markham

These efforts align with recent provincial investments in other major BRT projects across the GTA, including:

• The Dundas BRT in Mississauga
• The Durham–Scarborough BRT corridor
• The Highway 7 BRT connection between Vaughan and Brampton

Securing similar support will be key to moving the Jane Street project forward.

Planning Ahead of Funding

With environmental assessment work actively underway and public consultation continuing, York Region is advancing the Jane Street BRT before construction funding is confirmed.

This approach ensures the project is ready to move quickly when funding becomes available — a strategy that has been used successfully on other transit projects across the region.

A Growing Role for BRT in the GTA

Bus Rapid Transit continues to expand across the Greater Toronto Area as a cost-effective way to deliver higher-order transit.

With dedicated lanes and improved reliability, BRT systems can:

• Reduce travel times
• Improve service consistency
• Support growing transit demand

For corridors like Jane Street, BRT represents a practical near-term solution — one that can respond to current demand while supporting long-term growth.

What Comes Next

With the Jane Street BRT now in active planning, the next phase will depend on provincial alignment and funding decisions.

Until funding is secured, timelines for construction remain uncertain.

However, the corridor’s designation as a priority project — combined with rapid growth — ensures it will remain a key focus for future transit investment.

The Bigger Picture

As Vaughan continues to grow, improving north-south transit connections is becoming increasingly important.

Projects like the Jane Street BRT are not just about moving people — they are about supporting:

• Housing development
• Economic growth
• Regional connectivity

And ensuring that transit infrastructure keeps pace with demand.

Next Stop: Jane Street — ready for the green light.

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