Simcoe Street Rapid Transit

Simcoe Street Rapid Transit is a proposed rapid transit corridor along Simcoe Street between Highway 407 and Lakeview Park in the City of Oshawa. The Region of Durham’s Transportation Master Plan 2017 (TMP) and Metrolinx’s 2041 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) have highlighted the need for implementing a rapid transit corridor along Simcoe Street in Oshawa. Rapid transit along Simcoe Street would help connect residents and businesses to key destinations such as Ontario Tech University/Durham College, Lakeridge Health Oshawa, downtown Oshawa, the Windfields growth area, the future Central Oshawa GO Station and Lakeview Park.

The Simcoe Street Rapid Transit Visioning Study looked at ways to assess rapid transit investments, based on evolving best practices. It helped us learn how to improve mobility and quality of life for existing residents, while preparing the corridor to attract and support future growth.

A series of public consultations from September 2022 to November 2023 took place across the City of Oshawa. This was an opportunity for community members to engage with staff and be involved with the study progression. The goal was to achieve meaningful engagement, while gathering valuable feedback from community members.

Rapid transit options explored were Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Aerial Cable Car Transit (ACCT), Light-rail Transit (LRT), Monorail, Subway and a High-Frequency Bus Service. With careful consideration and feedback from public consultations, the BRT and ACCT were carried forward to a Feasibility Study.

A Feasibility Study and Initial Business Case Study (IBC) have been completed. A recommendation has been made by Region staff to further study the ACCT option through an Impact Assessment (IA) and the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP). Should Durham Region proceed with the IA and TPAP in the next phase of the study, a recommendation report will be shared to Durham Region Council in 2027.

On January 15, 2025, Durham Region staff presented to the Regional Committee of the Whole with an update on Simcoe Street Rapid Transit, including the recommendation to further study the ACCT option.

Subscribers to the Simcoe Street Rapid Transit Study page on Your Durham will receive ongoing updates as the project progresses toward next phases.