Toronto's Bus Rapid Transit Success Story

The city's suburban express-bus network has attracted attention from transit administrators from the U.S. due to its high-tech and rider-friendly service.

1 minute read

August 6, 2006, 5:00 AM PDT

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


Viva, the suburban express-bus network that debuted last September in the York region of Toronto, recently grabbed the attention of 200 transit experts attending the American Public Transit Association's conference in the city.

"Viva's high-end buses feature comfortable high-backed seating, a table in the back and electronic signs telling passengers how far they are from the next stop. The buses, controlled by a global positioning system, have the ability to turn red lights green if they are behind schedule, and the stops tell riders how long they have to wait for the next bus. The rides are prepaid, meaning bus drivers don't have to worry about collecting fares or handing out transfers."

Thursday, August 3, 2006 in The Toronto Star

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

A road in north eastern Nebraska with power lines on either side, and grassy fields.

Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity

Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.

November 6, 2026 - Grist

People walking in downtown St. Louis, walking past shops.

Move over, LA: St. Louis gears up for Olympics, invests millions in downtown redevelopment

The Missouri city will host the 2028 Olympic soccer group stage and knockout matches.

November 1, 2026 - Smart Cities Dive

construction near Boston, with machinery digging at large pit.

Mass. votes against statewide minimum lot size for single-family homes

Over 2 million residents voted on Question 7; it was decided by just over 30,000 votes.

6 hours ago - GBH

A bridge over the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.

Maryland’s $15 billion bridge project gains key approval

The Maryland Transit Authority said the project will create over 60,000 jobs and add $23 billion to the local economy.

7 hours ago - WTOP News

A crowd of people cheering for an unseen performer.

‘No clear next steps’ for Chicago's permanent festival grounds

Eleventh Ward Ald. Nicole Lee has suggested Soldier Field as a possible location for the permanent event space.

November 10 - Chicago Sun Times

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.