Community Voices Win a Pause on 111 East Mall Bus Route Change — But the Conversation Is Just Beginning

June 25 2025

Over the past two weeks, the quiet West Deane Park neighbourhood in Etobicoke Centre has shown the power of community voices. A petition launched by local residents opposing the permanent diversion of the 111 East Mall bus route has already gathered over 800 signatures to date. Their concerns are clear: sudden changes, lack of consultation, and serious questions about safety around a local elementary school.

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In response to this grassroots advocacy, Councillor Stephen Holyday submitted a motion to City Council last week calling for a pause on the route change and related construction — a move that has prompted the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to delay implementation and commit to local consultations. Along with the motion there was a meeting in the neighbourhood earlier this week along with the local TCDSB Trustee, to discuss the issue with those in the neighbourhood.

While this development is a win for residents who spoke up, it raises important questions about leadership and accountability.

The TTC’s original decision to reroute the 111 East Mall bus was made last November as part of the 2024 Annual Service Plan, approved by the TTC Board — of which Councillor Holyday was a member at the time. Despite his position, neither residents nor the local school were consulted before construction preparations began this spring. The sudden arrival of construction hoarding on a quiet residential street came as a shock to many, raising valid concerns about safety, accessibility, and community impact.

As someone who has locally been working on safer streets for our kids for years, I stand with residents in calling for a genuine dialogue — one where community voices are respected and solutions are shaped collaboratively. It’s troubling that Councillor Holyday, who we can assume had full knowledge of this plan as a TTC Board member, did not engage or inform the community until public pressure forced a reaction. This delayed response has only added to residents’ frustration and mistrust.

This sequence of events highlights a critical need for more transparent, meaningful, and early community engagement on transit decisions that affect neighbourhoods and schools. It is unacceptable that significant changes affecting daily lives are made without directly involving those most impacted.

Going forward, we must ensure that the TTC and City staff adopt clear policies requiring early notification and consultation, especially when routes are diverted through residential areas or near schools. We also need stronger accountability from elected officials who serve on transit boards, so that local needs are never sidelined in favour of politics or bureaucracy.

The pause on the 111 East Mall bus reroute is a positive step. But let’s use this moment to demand better leadership, more open communication, and processes that genuinely prioritize community safety and input.