Light Rail Transit

Light Rail Transit (LRT) is very popular with transit riders in major cities throughout Europe and the United States — and for good reason. In addition to being quiet, smooth, comfortable, fast, and reliable, light rail vehicles are environmentally friendly — producing 92% less CO₂ than cars.

As part of the vivaNext plan, two new LRT lines have been proposed. 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 we study the area north of Steeles Avenue to Highway 7, we are closely coordinating efforts with the City of Toronto and TTC who are studying the area south of Steeles Avenue. For information on their study please click here.

Like our vivaNext rapidways, both LRT lines will operate in their own right-of-ways - enabling light rail vehicles to safely speed past congested traffic, no matter what time of day. They will also encourage mixed-use, transit-oriented development along their routes as people come to live, work, shop and play in close proximity to great transit service.

Metrolinx has identified the Don Mills Road/Leslie Street and Jane Street light rail transit lines as key pieces of The Big Move, its transportation plan to reduce gridlock across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

The initial community meeting to discuss the beginning of the Don Mills/Leslie LRT study was held on June 10, 2009, and was well-attended. We appreciate the comments and subsequent feedback we received from the community.

We are currently considering how best to proceed with planning for LRT service in consideration of other related studies that are ongoing, including the Sustainable Travel Choices for Markham and Richmond Hill Study being carried out by the Region.