New rapid transit line coming to one of Brampton’s busiest routes

With winter coming to a close the city is set to begin work on a new rapid transit line along one of Brampton’s busiest routes.

Construction will soon begin on the new Brampton Transit Chinguacousy Road Züm project, bringing a new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line to the city, running between the Bramalea GO Station to the Cassie Campbell Recreation Centre.

The city says the standard Chinguacousy bus Route 4/4A is one of the busiest in Brampton, and the planned expansion of BRT service will help with increased ridership along the Chinguacousy Road corridor.

Construction on the project is slated to start in late spring or early summer, which will also add upgraded cycling infrastructure along the corridor to promote more active transportation.

As part of the city’s Zum network, the new Chinguacousy BRT will travel along Steeles Avenue and Sandalwood Parkway with limited stops to reduce travel times and real-time bus information.

Designs have already been approve​d by the city, with council greenlighting the hiring of an engineering firm to design Züm stations along Chinguacousy Road and a general contractor to begin construction this year.

The city says it aims to launch the Chinguacousy BRT following the start of service of the Hurontario Hazel McCallion Light Rail Transit line, with the province recommitting to extending service into downtown Brampton.

The city wants to move ahead with an underground LRT expansion and has asked the provincial and federal governments increase funding to the city as ridership is on the rise.

With a population of more than 656,000, the city says Brampton only receives $5,030 per capita for transit project funding – a number Mayor Patrick Brown said is too low when looking at other cities like Toronto ($14,240) or Hamilton ($5,970).

According to Metrolinx, the Mississauga portion of the line is on schedule for a fall 2024 opening.

The original project assessment was approved by the previous Liberal government back in September 2014 with a design that included a surface alignment along Main Street into downtown Brampton.

Funding from the Province was announced in 2015, and Council greenlit construction up to Steeles Avenue in October of that same year.