Traffic near Union Station Bus Terminal leading to delays, frustrating commutes

As traffic congestion in downtown Toronto worsens, the impact on travellers who go in and out of the Union Station Bus Terminal by GO Transit or other bus companies is growing. Nick Westoll has more on the delays and the calls for improvements.

[TheJojoSimz]

I Echo this. 61 R-Hill user here. How there was no forethought to giving bus priority into the station is mind boggling. What about dedicated ramps? Dedicated lanes? To get from Union onto the east bound gardiner requires 5 or 6 turns; in heavy traffic... 30 minutes. AND THEY TAKE OUT OF SERVICE THE OTHER RAMP AFTER REBUILDING IT. It's a shame how much potential Toronto has that is squandered. Thank you CityNews for taking this story. Bus terminal is a nightmare.

[amosnider]

There should be dedicated bus lanes into and out of the bus terminal from the Gardiner and along Lakeshore.

[jasoncheung]

There needs to be highway ramps that goes right into the bus terminal. See Port Authority Bus Terminal NYC on how it's done.

[bbrolls]

why are we letting cars driving there? why do people still continue to drive in toronto even though its so much slower

[anearthling]

I used to work downtown. Driving out of Gardiner evening time was a disaster every day. There were time I got home 3 hours late. Now got a job 5 min from home, took a pay cut but kept my sanity. It's disgusting how poorly designed our infrastructure is..

[BonaKim-hdec]

Every time I think about booking a fun activity in downtown Toronto from Mississauga, I change my mind because of this traffic nightmare whether by car or public transit.

[Chios]

As a tour bus driver of over 20 years that has driven all across Europe and North America I can honestly say Toronto is way behind all major cities when it comes to good infrastructure. HOV lanes don't do much, Toronto needs BUS ONLY lanes on the QEW/Gardiner, 401 and Don Valley. Also ramps from the Gardiner going straight in and out of the bus terminal just like the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City.
The Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC is a perfect example of how any bus terminal in a major city should be.
If Toronto wants to make public transportation work then they need to make it much faster and cheaper then taking your own car.

[munazir]

Shoutout to the Journalists and Justin who made this story! Today we had traffic wardens enforcing the bus lane for buses entering Union bus terminal only! A bike cop also issued citations to cars blocking the bus lane in the no stop zone. Traffic was much better from Yonge to the bus entrance today!

[zaraboz]

How can a closure of one lane of the Gardiner cause this much chaos? We are not ready for any kind of major disaster in this city.

[angiedefreitas]

You can't get anywhere in matter if you're driving or taking public transit. We have to add an extra hour each way to any trip/errand or task....we don't see friends and family as often, we don't go shopping as often. Why? Because no one has the time to sit in traffic PLUS actual transit/drive time each way. Just one more kick in the face to Torontonians, tourists and commuters.

[Junknown]

Toronto's downtown has become its own bubble due to inadequate transportation infrastructure, limiting accessibility for those outside the core. Traffic congestion and inefficient public transit make it difficult for people to commute, isolating the city center from surrounding areas. This lack of connectivity exacerbates socioeconomic disparities, as many struggle to access downtown jobs and services.

[JessicaBuena]

I will like have an unpopular opinion here, but I see two problems:
1) The Union Terminal has opened about 4 years ago, so I’m shocked to find out that there was no designated lane for them. If I was the mayor, which I’m not, I’d open that entryway exclusively to buses. It’s not only GO buses that use the terminal, Megabus, OnexBus, etc. pick up and drop off commuters on Lakeshore leading to Gardiner.
2) Suburbs LOVE their cars. I’m sure that if you left your car at home to go to work and commute instead, you won’t contribute to the congestion. There are so many cars on the road that has one passenger. Well, you decided to be comfortable in your car, but it is also your car that adds congestion on your way to work and home.
3) I live near Union Station, and I have no problem with getting around. Why? I take the bike for anything that is more than 3 km; otherwise, I take TTC. There are three grocery stores, pharmacy, restaurants, parks, entertainment, etc within 500 m. I have an indoor pool and gym, but oh, I don’t own a car 😊 Why would I want to mess with my sanity over parking, driving, insurance, maintenance, etc? Is it worth it?

[EmoBf-tjoe]

23 minutes from the Terminal to the Gardiner is a good day, I've sat there for 40 mins multiple times. Now I take the GO train from Exhibition and then a bus from Aldershot to Hamilton.

[matthewdemichele]

Honestly, it’s best to drive to Vaughan Metro Station and take TTC

[CaptArgo]

bad planning of the area

This is why I walk from campus to the union

[richboy]

Traffic condition in Toronto is stinkier than garbage, but “oh well, you gotta pay a premium to live in this city”
FML

[djexpo]

Any time I take the bus to Kingston it's routinely 45+ mins late departing.

[liberatetutemeexinferis]

I'm glad I live and work in Scarborough. Traffic in downtown Toronto is a mess.

[ZZ_Szabo]

Absolutely about traffic priority, however I am not sure if this is new. 10 years ago I had to take the bus to Guelph and it wasn't much faster

[Lifeisapartydresslikeit]

I work in this area. It’s brutal! Especially if there is a game or concert etc. plus the Gardiner is under construction. Streetcars, cyclists, cars, homeless people, trucks, pedestrians - the government needs to make work from home mandatory for 3 days a week. The traffic situation will never be solved - not with the amount of people commuting daily. Toronto is a dump!!