FAQs

The growing need for rapid transit in York Region

Why does York Region need a rapid transit network?: York Region is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Canada. As traffic congestion continues to grow on our roads, citizens need reliable and convenient rapid transit to get around and through the community.

Taking viva to the next level - vivaNext

What is vivaNext?: VivaNext is a continuation of York Region's commitment to rapid transit - on wheels and rails - to help shape successful urban revitalization. VivaNext will improve travel times along all four corridors of the Viva network with two new subway extensions and by taking Viva's vehicles out of mixed traffic and putting them on their own rapidway lanes.
Is York Region considering light rail transit options?: Yes. Two new north-south light rail transit (LRT) lines have been proposed from Steeles Avenue to Highway 7 as part of the vivaNext plan. They are the Don Mills Road/Leslie Street LRT line and the Jane Street LRT line. Both are an extension of the light rail transit lines being planned by the City of Toronto and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) from the Bloor-Danforth subway north to the Toronto/York Region boundary at Steeles Avenue. As well, the dedicated rapidways for our current Viva vehicles have been designed to accommodate a change to light rail transit in the future as ridership increases.
What is the current status of vivaNext?: The Environmental Assessments for the Davis Drive, Yonge Street and Highway 7 rapidways, as well as the Yonge and Spadina subways extensions, have been completed. Construction of rapidways began in Fall 2009. Preliminary construction on the Spadina subway extension is now underway. Conceptual design work on the Yonge subway extension will continue throughout 2010. The Don Mills Road/Leslie Street and Jane Street LRT studies are currently on hold while a Sustainable Travel Choices for Markham/Richmond Hill study is completed. for the latest construction updates and notices, click here.

About viva rapidways

What happened to the Viva rapidway planned for Yonge Street between Steeles Avenue and Highway 7?: This project has been put on hold while work on the Yonge subway extension continues.
How much will vivaNext rapidways cost? Who is paying for them?: The vivaNext rapidways are expected to cost a total of $2.8 billion. The Province of Ontario has committed $1.4 billion to begin rapidways construction.
When will the construction of the rapidways begin and end?: Rapidways construction will begin in Fall 2009. The east-west Davis Drive rapidway from Yonge Street to the Southlake Regional Health Centre is expected to be completed in 2012. The first segment of the north-south Yonge Street rapidway, from Mulock Drive to Davis Drive, is expected to be completed in 2012. The second segment, from Highway 7 to 19^th Avenue, is expected to be completed in 2013. Completion dates for the remaining segments are beyond 2015, assuming additional funding is granted. The first segment of the Highway 7 rapidway, from Millway Avenue to Kennedy Road, is expected to be completed in 2012/13. Completion dates for the remaining segments are beyond 2015, assuming additional funding is granted.

How often will Viva vehicles arrive?: During peak weekday travel periods, Viva service currently operates every 5 to 10 minutes along the busiest corridors. During off-peak periods, service operates about every 15 minutes. After vivaNext projects are completed and demand increases, service will run even more frequently to accommodate commuters' needs.
Will Viva and TTC get me to Union Station faster than GO Transit?: GO Transit provides direct service over long distances with limited or no stops in between. Viva and TTC offer a different service, as they stop for passengers every one to two kilometres and run on a more frequent basis. In fact, Viva is planning integration with other transit systems to provide passengers more convenient and reliable transit options.

viva in the community

How will my traffic patterns have to change?: Rapidways will change how vehicles access developments and streets between intersections by facilitating safe turning movements at signalized u-turns. The overall benefit of the introduction of rapidways will be an increase in the person carrying capacity on the rapid transit corridors, and the signalized u-turns will result in safer traffic movements.
How will our existing boulevards and sidewalks work with rapidways?: We work with the local communities along the corridors to design the road, median, rapidways and boulevard so the overall character and appearance of each community is respected. Where desirable, existing features will be maintained and enhanced. Streetscape improvements will include the addition of trees, plants, patterns, textures, and lighting and banner poles.
What are you doing to prevent the unnecessary removal of trees? What happens to existing trees?: Overall, there will be an increase in the total number of trees and landscaped areas as a result of the implementation of the rapidways. Several steps will be taken in order to preserve existing trees, including taking inventory of the existing trees along rapid transit corridors, engaging an arborist to identify and evaluate the health of each tree and creating environments to ensure the survival of beautification efforts for years to come.
What about the protection of the Heritage Community?: Traffic congestion affects our heritage communities; we believe improved mobility is good for everyone. Where rapidways cannot be accommodated in a heritage area without severe impacts, we have designed Viva to re-join mixed traffic. For example, there are no rapidways planned through downtown Richmond Hill or Aurora.
How much property is being taken?: The amount of property required to construct the system varies by property along each rapid transit corridor. On Highway 7, the median transitway largely fits into the existing property already belonging to the Region. Therefore, we are mostly acquiring small strips of land to provide for the Region's standard boulevard width with areas for sidewalks and landscaping and enhancement adjacent to the transitway.
Will there be bike lanes on the rapid transit corridors?: The Regional Cycling Master Plan shows bike lanes on Yonge Street and Highway 7. Rapidway design will accommodate these lanes wherever possible.
How will the police, fire and ambulance services work where there are rapidways?: Emergency service vehicles will be permitted to use the rapidway and cross the median at designated intervals, thus improving their response time and ability to bypass congestion. In addition, emergency services have been and will continue to be consulted throughout final design and constructions phases.
What are you doing to ensure that pedestrians can easily cross the street?: Well marked crossings, combined with countdown signals, will help make pedestrian crossings easier and safer at the signalized intersections.
What will be the impact of the elimination of mid-block left turns?: Our analysis indicates that traffic currently utilizing the center turn lanes will be effectively managed with controlled left and u-turn lanes at signalized intersections, providing increased reliability and safety for drivers.
What will you do to help businesses?: To minimize disruption where construction will take place, the needs of businesses, property owners and occupants are being taken into consideration as we develop our plans. Every reasonable effort will be made to minimize the duration of major construction at each property, while maintaining access at all times. Throughout construction, regular progress updates will be provided and a Communication Liaison will be available to discuss any questions or concerns.

Yonge subway extension

When will the Yonge subway extension open?: The Environmental Project Report for the Yonge subway extension (assessed under a new accelerated 6-month Environmental Assessment process) has been completed. The estimated cost for the project is $2.4 billion. Assuming funding is granted this year, the projected completion date is 2016.
What is the length of the Yonge subway extension?: The subway extension from Finch to Highway 7 is approximately 6.8 kilometres.
How many stations will there be?: A number of stations were considered and evaluated. The recommendation is for the following six stations, Cummer/Drewry Station, Steeles Station, Clark Station, Royal Orchard Station, Langstaff/Longbridge Station and Richmond Hill Centre Terminal.
How much will it cost to build?: The cost of the Yonge subway extension is estimated to be in the range of $1.6 to $2.1 billion in 2007 dollars, depending on the number of stations.
How will fares work when the subway crosses into York Region? Will I have to pay a second fare?: The fare policy for YRT|Viva and the TTC subway extension has not yet been determined. Metrolinx, the transportation authority for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area, is working with transit agencies and municipal governments to implement Presto, an integrated fare policy based on travel distances. To learn more about Presto, you can visit www.ontario.ca/farecard or www.prestocard.ca.
What about revitalization in conjunction with the construction of the subway?: New stations will provide opportunities for people to live, work and play in close proximity to great transit service. In addition to reducing reliance on driving, the subway will create revitalization opportunities along the street, bringing new life to station areas.

Spadina subway extension

What is the length of the Spadina subway extension?: The Spadina subway extension is 8.6 km long, from its current terminus at Downsview Station in Toronto up through York University to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Station in Vaughan.
When will it open?: Having secured funding from all three levels of government, preliminary construction of the Spadina subway extension is now underway and is expected to be completed by 2015. To find out more click here.
How can I see what is being planned and share my thoughts?: Visit vivanext.com to learn more.