York Region Transit (YRT) is the public transit operator in York Region, Ontario, Canada. Its headquarters are in Richmond Hill, at 50 High Tech Road.
YRT operates 65 full-time, rush hour and limited routes, 35 school services, and six Viva bus rapid transit routes. Five contracted Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) bus routes run within York Region's boundaries (one in Vaughan and four in Markham). Passengers who cross Steeles Avenue (the Toronto–York boundary) on these routes must pay an additional fare (the YRT or TTC fare) to continue their trip(s).
Some YRT routes operate within the City of Toronto; these buses generally run to and from TTC subway stations. YRT northbound buses are allowed to pick up passengers south of Steeles Avenue if they are heading into York Region (but passengers must flag the bus from a designated TTC or YRT stop). YRT buses heading to a TTC subway station can similarly drop off passengers at designated stops south of Steeles Avenue, but are not permitted to pick up passengers from these stops. As the majority of passengers are assumed to be transferring to and from TTC services, no extra fare is charged for riders boarding or disembarking YRT buses within Toronto.
Ridership
In the fourth quarter of 2022, average weekday ridership was approximately 64,800 on buses and 1,200 on MobilityPlus, a service for people with disabilities. 22.8 million riders used YRT in 2016, a 1.4% increase over 2015.
History
YRT was created by the regional government in 2001 to combine the four municipally-managed transit authorities in the region: Vaughan Transit, Markham Transit, Richmond Hill Transit, and Newmarket Transit (Aurora Transit had merged with Newmarket in 1999).
In mid-2006, the YRT logo was modified to bear closer resemblance to the Viva logo and, by the end of the year most of the YRT fleet and bus stop signs had their looks changed to bear the new colours.
Before 1973, several private transit operators provided services around York Region:
Toronto and York Radial Railway: radial railway along Yonge Street in Vaughan and Markham Maple Leaf – Markham Coach Lines: routes taken over by Gray Coach in 1929 Travelways: operated briefly in Markham in 1973 Newmarket Bus Lines: 1948–1958 Newmarket Town Bus: 1958–1960s Aurora Bus Lines: operated until 1972
Operations
Transit services in York Region are divided into four divisions and are provided by private operators under contract.
Viva BRT Division
The bus rapid transit (BRT) division operates the six Viva Rapid Transit bus routes and uses the 196-bus garage near Leslie Street and 16th Avenue in Richmond Hill. In 2015, TOK Transit began a seven-year contract, replacing Veolia Transportation (Transdev) as operator.
North Division
The North division includes several bus routes in Newmarket, Aurora, King Township, East Gwillimbury and Georgina. TOK Transit also operates this division and is under contract until April 30, 2021.
Southeast Division
The southeast division includes routes in Markham, Richmond Hill, and Stouffville. It is operated by Miller Transit who are under contract until October 2023.
Southwest Division
Transdev Canada Inc. is under contract of this division until August 1, 2021.
Bus rapid transit
In response to escalating congestion on the region's roads, York Region's transit plan included a provision for a bus rapid transit system along the Yonge Street and Highway 7 arterial corridors. This service, known as Viva, was launched in September 2005.
Fares
Fares for riding YRT can be paid by cash, Presto cards, the mobile YRT Pay app or Transit pay app.
, YRT fares are as follows (the same applies for the YRT's BRT service, Viva):
Other fares:
Three separate methods of payments are used by transit routes serving York Region: "Pay as you board" on conventional YRT and TTC-operated bus routes heading southbound towards Toronto "Pay as you leave" on TTC bus routes heading northbound into and within York Region (north of Steeles Avenue) "Proof of payment" basis on all Viva routes (customers may board or disembark at any door)