London Wellington Road Bus Rapid Transit Lanes Open September 6
- On Sunday, September 6, London Transit Express Route 90 will begin operating on a completed section of London’s first centre-running bus lanes, located on Wellington Road between Simcoe...
- This is a small piece of a much larger Rapid Transit network, but it is an important step in bringing the work we’ve been building to life,
- The trial deployment lets the city and London Transit observe how the new road design functions with buses, motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists sharing the corridor.
On Sunday, September 6, London Transit Express Route 90 will begin operating on a completed section of London’s first centre-running bus lanes, located on Wellington Road between Simcoe Street and Grand Avenue, according to municipal officials. The infrastructure project marks a shift for the corridor, placing dedicated transit lanes in the middle of the roadway to separate buses from curbside activity and general traffic. According to City of London Director of Construction and Infrastructure Services Jennie Dann, opening the completed stretch to buses allows planners to evaluate real-world operations.
This is a small piece of a much larger Rapid Transit network, but it is an important step in bringing the work we’ve been building to life,
The trial deployment lets the city and London Transit observe how the new road design functions with buses, motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists sharing the corridor. It also gives riders a chance to get used to new platforms, signals, signs, lane markings, and turning rules.
Changes for Drivers and Traffic Flow
Motorists traveling along Wellington Road between Simcoe Street and Grand Avenue will encounter buses running down the middle of the street in lanes reserved exclusively for transit. According to municipal reports, the middle-of-the-road design minimizes friction between buses and cars pulling in and out of curbside businesses or parking spots, helping both transit vehicles and regular traffic maintain a smoother flow. The new road layout alters how motorists execute certain turns. Because new medians block direct left turns into specific driveways and side streets, drivers must proceed to the next traffic signal, execute a U-turn where permitted, and then make a right turn to reach their destination. Signage along the corridor indicates where U-turns are allowed.
New Boarding Rules for Transit Riders
For public transit users, the primary adjustment involves boarding locations. Route 90 buses will utilize the centre-running lanes at the Wellington and South station, where passengers will board from newly constructed protected platforms situated in the middle of the street. All other Route 90 stops will continue operating as curbside bus stops. Additionally, London Transit Routes 1 and 13 will maintain their existing curbside stops along Wellington Road. Because rapid transit platforms sit at signalized intersections, municipal authorities advise riders to use designated pedestrian crossings to reach the middle-of-the-road platforms safely.
Broader Rapid Transit Timeline
The active segment on Wellington Road represents an initial phase of a broader municipal infrastructure initiative. According to city project schedules, rapid transit service on the East London Link corridor is currently expected to begin operating in 2027. Meanwhile, Wellington Gateway service is anticipated to launch in 2029. Additional portions of the rapid transit network will open progressively as construction wraps up across the respective sections.