Successful Bus Rapid Transit in the Toronto Suburbs

When asked about their transit needs, residents of the York Region, a fast-growing suburb of Toronto, were clear: they wanted more frequent service, shorter wait times, greater coverage, faster service and increased value.

Viva delivers what consumers wanted. Launched in September 2005, Veolia operates this award-winning BRT system with 90 sleek articulated, 40-foot, low floor buses. Viva offers residents an exciting new commuting option, featuring:

  • Frequent service: intervals of five minutes or less along the busiest corridors
  • Passenger information: real-time electronic schedule displays at every station
  • Easy connections: seamless integration with local bus routes
  • Quick service: well designed routes and efficient stops
  • Passenger convenience: onboard television and WIFI
  • Passenger-friendly vehicles: low floors, multiple wide doors, large windows and high-back seats

Veolia has been part of the Viva success story from the beginning. Prior to launch, we brought in our BRT experts from around the world to help the York team design routes, choose equipment, create operational plans and launch the service. We advised our client on scheduling, maintenance, and safety, plus the latest GPS real-time bus tracking technology. At launch, we provided extra staff to help familiarize riders with the new features of the service – a practice that so impressed our client that students were hired to continue the service for the first month of operations. Veolia provides comprehensive training to all staff to ensure the high standards of the Viva brand are constantly upheld.

The results? York’s Viva BRT ranks as an unqualified success for the region and the traveling public. Phase 1 was planned and launched within budget in a record time of just three years, and already over 7 million passengers are using the service annually. Rider surveys show an extraordinarily high level of satisfaction with Viva’s frequency, convenience and customer service. Phase 2, currently under development, will see the construction of dedicated “rapidways” to separate Viva vehicles from regular traffic, further reducing travel times by up to 40 percent.

Viva has become a unique and popular transit option for York Region commuters in the Toronto suburbs and Veolia Transportation is very proud to be the transit authority’s operating partner.

Viva has been a remarkable success with
riders in the York Region.
York Region’s successful new Viva service launched an entirely new transit service, in record time and on budget, and attracted double-digit ridership growth from the start.

York Region’s Viva Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service was launched in September 2005 to provide commuters in this fast-growing Toronto suburb with a quick and convenient transit alternative. The service went from initial planning to launch in just three years (half the usual implementation time for such a project), and was completed within budget. Veolia Transportation has been VIVA’s operating partner from the start and manages the full gamut of operations.

VIVA offers fast and frequent service and excellence real-time information. Ridership has been increasing steadily from day one, and year-over-year growth has averaged 30%. In 2007, over 7 million customers rode with VIVA. Together, our client’s innovative branding and Veolia’s excellent customer service have resulted in highly satisfied riders.

Millions of square feet of new mixed-use development are already under construction along VIVA corridors, and there is growing interest in high-density housing developments within easy walking distance of the new transit system. See our client’s report.