Rapid Transit (London, Ontario)

Rapid Transit, formerly known as Shift,^[1] is a bus rapid transit (BRT) network under construction in London, Ontario, consisting of two corridors that converge at a central downtown hub. The project aims to improve traffic flow, enhance streetscapes, and replace aging underground infrastructure. On January 15, 2018, the Ontario government allocated C$170 million in funding for the initiative, with total project costs reaching approximately C$454 million, including contributions from both federal and provincial governments.^[2]

Overview
Operator	London Transit Commission
Vehicle	XD40, XD60
Status	Under construction
Began service	Mid-2027 (East London Link) Mid-2028 (Wellington gateway) 2030? (full)
Route
Route type	Bus rapid transit
Locale	London, Ontario
Communities served	8
Landmarks served	Canada Life Place, Fanshawe College, White Oaks Mall, London Police Service, H. B. Beal Secondary School, Middlesex County Courthouse, Victoria Hospital
Length	15.8 km (9.8 mi)
Stops	23
Other routes	TBA
Service
Frequency	TBD
Map	london.ca/rapidtransit

The rapid transit system features dedicated bus lanes, including curbside and centre-running lanes, and transit priority signals for smoother operations. Enhanced stations are being designed to accommodate large passenger loads, with seating areas, route information, security cameras, and tempered glass for safety and comfort. The project also includes the installation of new streetscape elements and urban design improvements, which will help ease traffic flow and improve the overall public transit experience in London.^[3]

As of October 2024, the East London Link is scheduled for completion in 2026, with operations expected to begin in mid-2027. The route will run between downtown and Fanshawe College, with a target opening in August 2027. Similarly, the Wellington Gateway project is expected to be completed by 2027, with service slated to begin in mid-2028 and a summer 2028 opening for the segment between downtown and White Oaks Mall.^[4][5]

History

The City of London updated its Transportation Master Plan in May 2013, providing a strategy for transportation and land use decisions to 2030 and beyond. One of its targets was to increase transportation mode share in the city from 12.5% to 20% by 2030, and a key objective to achieve that was to implement a BRT network. The proposed network consisted of an east-west corridor and a north-south corridor, both of which met in the downtown core.^[6] The city then initiated planning for a rapid transit project in September 2014, and branded it as "Shift" in January 2015. By November 2015, the envisioned network had changed the corridors to north-east and west-south.^[7] With considerable changes the Shift project became known as Rapid Transit.^[8] The costs of the approved project, a two leg system servicing less than half of the city have increased to 50% above the originally cost of the first proposed system which serviced all areas of the city. ^[9]

Network

East London Link
Legend
Downtown Loop (sharing with Wellington Gateway) Wellington Gateway to Wellington Commons Wellington (after Downtown Loop) Colborne Adelaide Ontario/King CN/CP Spur McCormick Dundas/Highbury CP Railway LPH Highbury/Oxford Oxford/Second (Fanshawe College)
This diagram: view talk edit

Wellington Gateway
Legend
Downtown Loop East London Link to Oxford at Second Canadian National Railway Via Rail Corridor Horton South (stops past South are under construction) Middle Thames River - Clark's Bridge Bond Baseline Commissioners Wilkins Southdale Montgomery White Oaks Mall Wellington Commons Entrance and P&R (Park and Ride)
This diagram: view talk edit

Rapid Transit network in London, Ontario (including Downtown Loop)

Overall, the network's two routes will be 24 kilometres (15 mi) long, and have 34 stations. Stations will be spaced approximately 600 to 800 metres (2,000 to 2,600 ft) apart. One route will serve the north and east areas of the city, while the other will serve the west and south areas, both which meet at a central transit hub at Wellington and King streets in the downtown.^[1][10]

The North-East Route's termini will be Fanshawe Park Road at Richmond Street, and Second Street at Oxford Street East. The route will be mostly aligned with Richmond Street, King and Dundas Streets, Highbury Avenue and Oxford Street East.^[11]

The West-South Route's termini will be Fanshawe Park Road at Wellington Road south of Bradley Avenue, and Wonderland Road and Oxford Street West. The route will be mostly aligned with Wellington Street, Queens Avenue, and Oxford Street West.^[11]