Residents split over proposed priority bus lane on Dufferin Street
City considering removing all on-street parking on Dufferin from Eglinton Avenue W. to Dufferin Gate Loop
A proposed city plan to install a priority bus lane on Dufferin Street is getting a mixed response from residents, with some saying they don't want to lose their parking spots and others saying the plan is needed to improve congestion in the area.
The City of Toronto held a virtual town hall on Tuesday about the project, which would see permanent bus lanes installed on a 7.1-kilometre stretch of the street from Eglinton Avenue W. to King Street W.
"What we saw in the data is that Dufferin is congested, Dufferin is slow and Dufferin needs to be better," said Philip Morse, senior project manager for the city's transportation services.
All on-street parking — including paid, overnight permit, and unsigned spaces — may be removed between Eglinton Avenue W. and Dufferin Gate Loop, though accessible spaces will be retained.
The 29/929 Dufferin buses serve over 40,000 riders, according to the city's website. Buses on Dufferin take 65 per cent longer than the average vehicle travel time and only 55 per cent of buses arrive on time, the website says.
The bus lane would help meet the city's needs during the FIFA World Cup 2026 and other events happening at Exhibition Place, Morse said. Marked in red, the lanes would be shared with Wheel-Trans, school buses, emergency vehicles and bicycles.
If city council approves the project this summer, the lanes will be implemented between late fall and early 2026.
Some residents say they need curb-lane access
Several residents at the town hall said the plan favoured people attending the FIFA World Cup at the expense of locals.
They said the bus lane will particularly hurt senior residents and families with young children who will now have to park further away from their homes.
One caller said a contractor told them they need curb lane access to work on a home renovation project. The caller said he does not have a laneway or driveway.
Morse encouraged the caller to complete a survey on the city's website so the city can review concerns for specific locations.
"We are committed to making changes if our design doesn't work," Morse said.
He added there is a street occupancy permit program when construction requires use of the curb lane that would apply if the bus lane is introduced. Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, he said.
Another resident asked whether the city had considered how many people will be affected who do not have driveway or laneway access. Morse said the city hasn't counted the exact number of houses yet as they are still looking for feedback on the proposed design.
Another caller said the city's plan will push people into side roads, which could be unsafe.
Morse said the city has identified some streets that may need "additional care" if the bus lanes are implemented. He said the city will collect data on these streets to see if there is an increase in unsafe behaviour and will implement solutions, such as speed humps, if necessary.
It was unclear whether any of the residents at the town hall are part of the group Protect Dufferin, which has an online campaign and Facebook group against the proposed bus lane.
CBC Toronto reached out to the group for comment.
Supporters say city plan is long overdue
While the town hall's question and answer period was initially dominated by people who were against the plan, later comments reflected a more even split as a number of residents voiced support.
Several shared concerns about congestion on Dufferin and said bus service is notoriously slow and unreliable. Some said the bus lane plan should have been implemented decades ago.
A few callers pushed back against comments that the city's plan prioritizes people outside of the neighbourhood, saying community members regularly use the bus.
One caller said people are not entitled to parking on public land. He said Dufferin is a very unsafe street, and he would feel safer with a large lane next to the curb that is usually empty or otherwise used by buses operated by trained TTC workers.
"I'm not in the least bit worried about the TTC. I'm worried about people flying up and down Dufferin in their BMWs going 80 kilometres/hour," said the caller.
Coun. Alejandra Bravo, who represents Ward 9–Davenport, was not present at Tuesday's town hall, and her absence was questioned by one caller.
Bravo's spokesperson said the councillor was meeting with residents in Oakwood regarding traffic safety issues caused by a sewer main project in the area.
"She looks forward to joining Davenport residents at both in-person consultations for traffic priority lanes on Dufferin Street, and will be reaching out to the households on Dufferin Street in addition to reviewing the views expressed online," said Spencer Julien in an email.
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