Item - 2018.PW27.7

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommends that:  

1. City Council amend the existing easterly northbound through reserved lane designation in effect at all times for public transit vehicles on Dufferin Street between Finch Avenue West and a point 60 metres south, to be in effect at all times for public transit vehicles, high occupancy vehicles containing a minimum of 2 persons (HOV 2+), bicycles, plated motorcycles and taxicabs.

2. City Council amend the existing easterly northbound reserved lane designation in effect at all times for public transit vehicles on Dufferin Street between Finch Avenue West and the York University Busway (Finch Hydro Corridor) located 340 metres north of Finch Avenue West, to be in effect at all times for public transit vehicles, high occupancy vehicles containing a minimum of 2 persons (HOV 2+), bicycles, plated motorcycles and taxicabs.

3. City Council amend the existing westerly southbound reserved lane designation in effect at all times for public transit vehicles on Dufferin Street between York University Busway (Finch Hydro Corridor), located 340 metres north of Finch Avenue West, and a point 70 metres north of Finch Avenue West, to be in effect at all times for public transit vehicles, high occupancy vehicles containing a minimum of 2 persons (HOV 2+), bicycles, plated motorcycles and taxicabs.

4. City Council amend the existing westerly southbound reserved lane designation in effect at all times for public transit vehicles on Dufferin Street/William R. Allen Road between Finch Avenue West and Rimrock Road, to be in effect at all times for public transit vehicles, high occupancy vehicles containing a minimum of 2 persons (HOV 2+), bicycles, plated motorcycles and taxicabs.

5. City Council amend the existing easterly northbound reserved lane designation in effect at all times for public transit vehicles on Dufferin Street/William R. Allen Road between Sheppard Avenue West and a point 60 metres south of Finch Avenue West, to be in effect at all times for public transit vehicles, high occupancy vehicles containing a minimum of 2 persons (HOV 2+), bicycles, plated motorcycles and taxicabs.

6. City Council rescind the existing bicycle prohibition on William R. Allen Road between Sheppard Avenue West and Kennard Road.

The Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension (TYSSE), completed in December 2017, provides an 8.6 km extension of the University Branch of the Line 1 - Yonge-University Subway - an important connection in the northwest of the City, linking the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and York University to the existing subway network.

In conjunction with the opening of the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension (TYSSE), the operation of various TTC bus routes in the area were changed to promote new connections and improve subway access for customers. Changes to TTC bus routes included rerouting, modifications to the frequency of service, and the replacement of some routes by the subway.

In September 2017, Transportation Services was requested by the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee to evaluate the continued operation of the existing "Diamond Lanes" - reserved bus lanes on Allen Road and Dufferin Street between Sheppard Avenue and the York University Busway. Three scenarios were evaluated:

-  Scenario 1 - Maintain existing reserved bus lane
-  Scenario 2 - Convert existing reserved bus lane to general purpose lane (GPL)
-  Scenario 3 - Convert existing reserved bus lane to High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV 3+) lane

Based on modelling work undertaken, this report recommends Scenario 3 - the conversion to a reserved lane for vehicles containing a minimum of three persons High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV 3+) - as this best optimises both the movement of people and overall traffic performance. The recommended changes would permit public transit vehicles (PTVs), bicycles, plated motorcycles and taxicabs to use the High Occupancy Vehicles HOV 3+ lanes.