Toronto approves priority transit lanes on Bathurst and Dufferin streets ahead of FIFA 2026 to ease congestion and boost public transit reliability.
City Council Greenlights Major Transit Upgrade
Toronto City Council has approved priority transit lanes on Bathurst and Dufferin streets, marking a significant step toward easing traffic congestion ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The decision, made during Wednesday’s council meeting, supports the city’s RapidTO plan to enhance transit service on busy surface routes.
Where the Lanes Will Go
The approved lanes will run south of Bloor Street West. Bathurst Street will receive a streetcar-only lane from Bloor to Lake Shore Boulevard West, with a short exception near Toronto Western Hospital. Dufferin Street will see a bus-only lane stretching from Bloor to King Street West. These routes were modified from earlier proposals to address concerns from local residents and businesses over parking loss.
Why the City Is Moving Forward Now
Mayor Olivia Chow said the decision is driven by the need to improve transit reliability and move more people efficiently during peak hours and major events. With six World Cup matches set to take place in Toronto in 2026, the city is under pressure to modernize its infrastructure.
“Change is always hard, but once it’s in, people love dedicated lanes,” Chow stated. “All major cities have them.”
Council Votes Reveal Divisions
The vote wasn’t without controversy. Council approved the Bathurst lane 18–5 and the Dufferin lane 20–3. Critics like Coun. Stephen Holyday warned of disruptions to car traffic and negative impacts on businesses. “It’s using FIFA as an excuse to wage war on cars,” he said. Others, like Coun. Brad Bradford, called for temporary solutions rather than permanent changes.
Implementation Plan and Next Steps
Construction of the lanes is scheduled to begin this fall. They will feature red Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) coating, new signage, and updated traffic signals. After the World Cup, city staff will evaluate the effectiveness of the lanes and consider extending them north to Eglinton Avenue West.
Transit and Climate Advocates Back the Move
Advocacy groups TTCriders and Toronto Environmental Alliance praised the decision. Andrew Pulsifer, Executive Director of TTCriders, said the lanes will help make transit more attractive and reduce car reliance. Emmay Mah of TEA highlighted the lanes’ role in advancing the city’s climate goals by encouraging greener transportation choices.
A Long-Term Vision for a Growing City
Coun. Dianne Saxe summarized the city’s challenge: “We have far more people than our streets were designed for.” Supporters argue the lanes are not just for the World Cup, but part of a broader vision for sustainable urban mobility in Toronto.
With implementation set to begin soon, the debate around transit versus car infrastructure is expected to continue—along with growing demands for fast, efficient public transportation in Canada’s largest city.
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