People are trying to stop changes to traffic-plagued Toronto street

A plan to convert sections on one of Toronto's most congested streets into priority bus lanes is facing pushback from a group of local residents, who argue that the changes threaten basic residential access and livability.

The City of Toronto and the TTC are proposing to install priority bus lanes along a 7.1-kilometre stretch of Dufferin Street between King Street West and Eglinton Avenue West, with the goal of improving service on the notoriously slow 29 and 929 TTC bus routes (nicknamed by riders as the "29 Sufferin"), which service over 40,000 passengers every week day.

According to the City, buses on Dufferin currently travel 65 per cent slower than the average and only arrive on time 55 per cent of the time. Officials argue that the dedicated bus lanes would reduce delays, improve transit reliability, and help the city's transportation network for future growth ahead of major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The City noted that Dufferin Street is being prioritized due to its "high ridership, long travel times and important role connecting Line 2 Bloor-Danforth (at Dufferin Station), the 512 St. Clair Streetcar (at Dufferin Street) and the future Line 5 Eglinton (at Fairbank Station)."

Toronto considering priority bus lanes on street notorious for traffichttps://t.co/7erwYhWAub

— blogTO (@blogTO) May 1, 2025

All on-street parking is also being considered for removal on Dufferin Street, from Eglinton Avenue West to Dufferin Gate Loop, including paid, overnight permit and unsigned spaces (accessible parking spaces would be maintained).

The dedicated bus lanes are being considered in the northbound and southbound curb lanes using new signage, red paint and pavement markings.

However, some local residents and grassroots group Protect Dufferin are arguing that the plan sacrifices residential needs for transit efficiency.

"The City is rushing through major changes to Dufferin Street: removing all street parking and adding 24/7 bus-only lanes — with no plan to support the thousands of residents who rely on curb lane access for everyday life," the group states on its website. "We support better transit, but not at the cost of basic access and livability on our residential street."

Currently, street parking on Dufferin is restricted during peak times, and the group argues that this model already works during rush hours and questions the need for permanent, round-the-clock restrictions.

"Rush hour isn't all day. Today, parking is already restricted during peak times — and it works during those times. There's no justification for dedicating the curb lanes to buses all the time if peak time parking restrictions have been proven to work," the group says.

They also emphasize that Dufferin is not simply just a transit corridor, but a densely populated residential street.

"From Eglinton to Queen, Dufferin runs through dense urban neighbourhoods where most homes have no driveways. Single-family homes and older duplexes line the street — often just steps from the curb. This isn't a suburban arterial road. Dufferin is home to thousands of Torontonians who rely on curbside access for daily life," the group wrote.

Some residents are particularly concerned about losing the ability to manage everyday needs like moving, receiving deliveries, or helping elderly family members into vehicles.

"Losing curbside parking means families will need to secure street parking permits — if they can even find spots nearby. That adds time, money, and stress to projects that are already expensive," the group argues.

"Drivers will lose access to the curb lanes — even during rush hour — choking Dufferin's already heavy traffic even further. With dedicated bus lanes, drivers would lose access to curb lanes at all times, which will increase rush hour congestion for drivers on an already busy major street."

Transit advocates, however, have long campaigned for change on the congested street. In 2022, transit advocacy group TTCriders staged a temporary bus lane on Dufferin using washable paint and pylons.

The organization argued that the goal of the stunt was to install more bus and streetcar lanes, as well as encourage Toronto residents to vote for candidates who are committed to prioritizing transit and lowering fares for commuters.

Guerilla activists installed an unsanctioned bus lane in protest of Toronto's mayor https://t.co/XG47tG70fJ #Toronto

— blogTO (@blogTO) October 12, 2022

Feedback for the City regarding the priority bus lanes on Dufferin can be shared at a virtual public meeting being held on May 13, as well as via public drop-in events on May 15 and May 20, or by completing a public survey before May 26.