Staff Report #3
October 19, 2026
To All Commissioners
Re: Rapid Transit Implementation Status Report
Recommendation
That the report be RECEIVED for information purposes.
Background
The Rapid Transit Project (RTP) has been in progress for a number of years, noting the majority of work to date has been related to road and station infrastructure, which is being led by civic Administration. Historically, updates regarding the pieces of the RTP that involve and/or impact LTC services have been provided in quarterly update reports.
In an effort to provide more clarity with respect to the implementation pieces for which LTC is responsible, this report will be tabled at each Commission meeting until such time as the East and South corridors are operational. This approach will provide all information relating to the project in one report, versus it being spread amongst multiple update reports.
The information included in these reports will be exclusive of commentary with respect to the progress on the infrastructure components of the program. Readers are encouraged to refer to City of London reports for this information.
Downtown Loop
The Downtown Loop portion of the RTP was completed in 2024 and stations in the core have been in use by LTC’s conventional routes since opening.
Outstanding LTC Responsibilities
- Provide signage to clearly indicate where riders should stand to catch the bus at RT stations – subsequent to the opening of the RT stations in the downtown loop, LTC received contacts from customers confused about where they should be standing to board the buses when utilizing the terminal. This confusion primarily stemmed from the lack of a bus stop pole at the new stations, noting at all other bus stops in the city, the bus stop pole is utilized as an indicator of where to stand. This issue was also raised by the Accessible Public Transit Advisory Committee specifically from the perspective of customers with visual impairments who were experiencing difficulty in determining where they should be standing.
As an interim solution, LTC installed temporary bus stop signage at each RT station, and provided communication to riders that they should stand adjacent to the temporary stop to board the bus. Feedback with respect to this solution has been positive, however a more permanent solution needs to be confirmed and implemented in order to ensure a consistent experience for customers.
- Continue to work with civic Administration to finalize the wayfinding strategy for RT stations – To ensure all passengers, regardless of ability, are able to easily navigate all rapid transit stations (curbside and centre running), an extensive review of wayfinding best practices is currently underway. This incudes various signage to help passengers orient themselves on the station, accessibility features (i.e. tactile plates, raised lettering/braille signage, clearly identified spaces to accommodate wheelchair turning radius, etc.) as well as visual and audible real time and service alert information for passengers. Once finalized, the wayfinding features will be implemented in all RT stations across the system.
East Leg
The East Leg portion of the RTP is being built in phases and LTC Administration continues to work with civic administration to determine when sections of completed infrastructure can begin being utilized by LTC services.
The King Street section was completed in April 2025, and one LTC route (94 Express) began utilizing the dedicated lanes on April 28, 2025. This approach provided the opportunity for LTC drivers to gain experience operating in the designated lanes, and also provided the public the opportunity to become accustomed to the dedicated lanes and resulting changes to traffic flow.
It is important to recognize that adequate time is required in advance of the use of any new operating environment as LTC needs to ensure that all bus Operators and on-road Supervisors have been trained prior to launch. Additionally, changes of this nature typically require that they take effect coincident with a new LTC signup period as schedules need to be adjusted to match the new routing and stop locations. This notice period is typically twelve to sixteen weeks in advance of use of the new infrastructure.
Outstanding LTC Responsibilities
The launch of the East Leg of the RTP is scheduled to occur in Fall 2027. In light of this schedule, the following tasks are planned/underway at LTC.
| Tasks | Status |
| · Place order for 9 articulated buses for operation on the East Leg | Order Placed |
| · Receive bus order and prepare buses for service (install ancillary equipment, etc.) | Bus receipt anticipated 2nd Qtr 2027, prep to follow |
| · Prepare Operating Budget requirements for operation of the East Leg to be included in RT Business Case | In progress |
| · Onboard approximately 30 bus Operators to provide service | Hiring will begin in April and run through August in order to ensure adequate complement is in place for Fall launch |
| · Prepare schedules and related work assignments for Operators
· Prepare updated transit maps to indicate the new RT corridor · Prepare education campaign to ensure riders are familiar with how buses will operate noting this corridor will shift between curbside and centre running transit lanes |
Will be included as part of the September Sign Up Process |
It is important to recognize that significant advance notice of confirmed launch dates is imperative in order for LTC to ensure all required resources are in place to deliver the service. Additionally, labour costs will be incurred well in advance of the launch date noting that new bus operators must be hired and trained in advance. These considerations will be articulated in the RT Business Case for operating funding which will be tabled as part of the 2027 budget process.
South Leg
The South Leg portion of the RTP is also being built in phases and LTC Administration continues to work with civic Administration to determine when sections of completed infrastructure can begin being utilized by LTC services.
Effective September 6, 2026, Route 90 began using a portion of the completed centre running lane along Wellington Road, operating in the centre running lanes between Clark’s Bridge and Grey Street and then transitioning to the curbside RT lanes north of Grey Street. Given this was the first instance of transit vehicles being operational in the centre running lanes and utilizing a centre-island RT station, an extensive communications campaign was rolled out in coordination with the City of London to provide information for passengers and motorists on the use of the centre running lanes, how to access the station, etc. Use of this section of completed infrastructure will allow the opportunity to fine tune the centre lanes, including signal timing, etc. before the launch of the East London Link.
Outstanding LTC Responsibilities
The launch of the South Leg of the RTP is scheduled to occur in fall 2029. In light of this schedule, the following tasks are planned/underway at LTC.
| Tasks | Status |
| · Place order for articulated buses for operation on the South Leg | Order should be placed 18-24 months in advance of planned implementation |
| · Prepare Operating Budget requirements for operation of the East Leg to be included in RT Business Case | In progress |
| · Onboard approximately 27 bus Operators | Onboarding and training will need to begin six months in advance of planned implementation |
| · Preparation of schedules, work assignments, updated maps and communications campaign | This will be scheduled once a definitive launch date has been confirmed. |
Recommended by:
Mike Gregor, Director of Finance
Craig Morneau, Director of Fleet & Facilities
David Butler, Director of Operations – Conventional
Katie Burns, Director of Planning
Joanne Galloway, Director of Human Resources
Concurred in by:
Kelly S. Paleczny, General Manager