BRAMPTON, ON (March 3, 2020) – The City of Brampton is pleased to announce a new direct bus rapid transit connection from Brampton to Toronto Pearson International Airport. The 505 Züm Bovaird route will be extended to the airport and is expected to begin in Fall 2020.
Brampton City Council unanimously approved this as part of the City’s 2020 Budget. The extension will improve regional connectivity, offering more convenience for residents who work at or travel from Toronto Pearson, and further strengthen Brampton’s connections to the Innovation Corridor.
Pearson airport is a large and complex place to work, with more than 400 companies employing about 50,000 people; 10,000 of whom live in Brampton. Pearson anchors the Airport Employment Zone, which includes areas of Brampton, Mississauga and Etobicoke, and is the second-largest employment area in Canada with more than 300,000 jobs.
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) welcomes the new route, as research has shown there are significant benefits to improving direct bus connections between Brampton and the airport. The 505 Züm Bovaird extension could double the current number of Brampton-based airport employees who take public transit.
At Toronto Pearson, Brampton transit users can connect with other regional transportation networks including the UP Express, six TTC routes, four MiWay routes, two GO Transit routes and other regional services like Greyhound.
The 2020 Budget included a 1 per cent levy to enhance the City’s transit infrastructure.
The Route 505 Züm Bovaird extension will cost $1.75 million – $900,000 will be City funded, with the remainder coming from revenue.
Currently, 13 per cent of the 10,000 Brampton residents working at Toronto Pearson International Airport take public transit to work.
Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton said, As part of the Innovation Corridor and the top contributor to the airport’s workforce, we are pleased to support our region’s economic growth and ease Brampton residents’ access to job opportunities. The 2020 Budget makes important investments that are putting the community first.”
Scott Collier, Vice President, Customer and Terminal Services, GTAA said Today’s announcement will allow both passengers and employees to more easily access Toronto Pearson from Brampton. To efficiently connect people and businesses to three-quarters of the world’s economies, we need strong local ground connections. This service strengthens Brampton’s access to the airport and to the world.”
David Barrick, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton said “The approved 2020 Budget includes strategic investments like this transit extension that align with Council’s priorities to ensure Brampton remains a City of Opportunities. The budget enhances the delivery of high-quality Transit services for our residents to ensure residents can access employment opportunities and employers can access Brampton’s talent.”
Brampton’s Bus Rapid Transit Service
Züm is a public transit solution that supports high-capacity routes and has benefits similar to rail transportation – using world-class technologies to provide better and faster ways to connect people and places.
There are five Züm routes in service:
- Züm Queen Street(Downtown Terminal to York University)
- Züm Main Street (Sandalwood Parkway to the Mississauga City Centre Terminal)
- Züm Steeles Avenue (Lisgar GO Station to Humber College)
- Züm Bovaird Drive(Mount Pleasant GO Station to Malton GO Station)
- Züm Queen Street West (Downtown Terminal to Mount Pleasant GO Station)
A Better Way to Commute
Züm riders enjoy a wide range of advanced customer service technologies, including:
- Limited stops to reduce travel times
- Real-time Next Bus Information
- Transit Signal Priority technology to help buses remain on schedule
- Plush, high-back seats for a smooth ride
- Seamless integration with all Brampton Transit buses
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