At our most recent Policy & Advocacy Committee meeting, we were joined by the Durham Region Transit (DRT) team for a detailed (and pleasantly surprising) view into the future of rapid transit in our region—and what we heard is something we believe our members, and the wider community, should know more about.
DRT is rolling out an ambitious, long-term vision to modernize how people move around Durham. This is about much more than buses or cable cars—it’s about building the kind of future-ready transportation network that supports economic growth, increases access to employment, reduces emissions, and improves quality of life. For businesses in Oshawa and across Durham Region, these plans are worth paying attention to.
A Region on the Move
The Durham Region we live in today is not the same as it was a decade ago—and it won’t be the same ten years from now. To put the scale of growth into perspective, Regional Chair John Henry recently shared that Durham Region’s population is expected to double by 2051. Even if it doesn’t quite reach that mark, the pace and scale of our expansion are undeniable. As more people settle in Durham, we’re also seeing a steady rise in the number of businesses and institutions choosing to establish themselves here. Whether you operate a storefront in the downtown core, manage a logistics facility near the 407, or serve students at one of our colleges or universities, we’re all connected by a common need: the ability to move people efficiently, reliably, and sustainably.
That’s where DRT’s work comes in. Our committee got a firsthand look at the blend of policy, planning, and infrastructure investment guiding DRT’s steps to modernize our rapid transit systems.
What DRT Shared With Us: The Big Picture
DRT’s presentation covered two key initiatives currently in play:
The Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit (DSBRT) Corridor, which is a 36km rapid bus route connecting Durham and Toronto along Highway 2.
The Simcoe Street Rapid Transit Project, which is exploring fixed-transit solutions between Ontario Tech University and Lakeview Park.
Each project has its own context, but both are part of a broader strategy: reduce congestion, increase ridership, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and build sustainable communities.
But there’s more at stake than mobility. Rapid transit is infrastructure that unlocks other kinds of development. It creates opportunities for housing intensification, commercial revitalization, and improved connections to jobs, healthcare, and education.
A Word About the Simcoe Street Study
Let’s address the cable car in the room.
You may have seen the social media blowback when DRT’s feasibility study revealed that Aerial Cable Car Transit (ACCT) is not only feasible—it’s actually the most effective, sustainable, and community-friendly option for Simcoe Street. We’ll return to that in a moment, but first, let’s zoom out.
The Region didn’t arrive at this recommendation lightly. Since 2022, they’ve been running a careful, multi-phase analysis under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), including:
A Visioning Study
A Feasibility Study
An Initial Business Case
Every viable transit mode was assessed, from light rail and subway to monorails and high-frequency buses. Only two options made the final cut for the Simcoe corridor: Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Aerial Cable Car (ACCT.)
Making Smart Choices With Good Data
Why cable cars?
Here’s what the numbers from DRT’s study told us:
| Metric | Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) | Aerial Cable Car (ACCT) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Ridership (2051 forecast) | 8.9 million | 9.7 million |
| Residential Properties Impacted | 196 | 51 |
| Commercial Parking Spaces Lost | 253 | 33 |
| GHG Emissions Reduced Annually | Moderate | 81,400 tonnes |
| Vehicle Kilometres Reduced Annually | Moderate | 35.4 million km |
| Net Lifecycle Financial Impact | $132 million loss | $828 million gain |
From a business perspective, that last number is especially compelling. Over a 60-year period, ACCT is projected to deliver a net benefit of over $800 million. That’s not just smart transit—that’s smart economics.
Add to that a shorter construction timeline (6-7 years for ACCT vs. 10+ for BRT), better accessibility, and quieter, greener operations, and you can start to see why this isn’t the novelty it may first appear to be. In fact, systems like this are already operating successfully in dense, urban environments from New York to La Paz to Mexico City.
What This Means for the Business Community
We know that mobility is closely tied to economic health. For employers, better transit means:
Access to a broader talent pool, including students and workers who rely on public transportation.
Increased foot traffic in downtown cores and retail corridors.
Greater predictability in commute times for staff and customers alike.
Improved employee retention due to reduced travel stress.
New commercial development opportunities, especially near stations and stops.
It’s also worth considering how businesses can support and benefit from these plans. There may be opportunities to participate in future consultations, collaborate on station-area planning, or even reimagine how customers access your services.
Addressing Public Skepticism
Let’s acknowledge it—“cable car” doesn’t always scream “serious transit solution.” It’s easy to dismiss the idea based on how it sounds, especially without context. But the study data is clear, and the rationale is compelling. ACCT offers more benefits and fewer disruptions than the traditional alternatives.
DRT’s team is aware of the optics and is planning a communications campaign and ongoing public education to ensure that residents and businesses alike understand what’s being proposed—and why.
As a Chamber, we believe it’s essential to approach these conversations with a commitment to facts, context, and long-term thinking. We’ll continue to provide opportunities for our members to stay informed and offer feedback through our advocacy channels.
What’s Next
Here’s the timeline for what comes next on Simcoe Street:
Q3 2025 – Presentation to Oshawa Council
Q3 2025 – Presentation of Regional Communications Plan
Q1 2026 to Q4 2027 – Environmental Impact and Transit Project Assessment
Post-2027 – Potential Regional Council endorsement and pursuit of funding partnerships
Final Thoughts
Transit doesn’t just move people. It moves communities (and business!) forward.
Whether the technology involved is a bus, a train, or yes—a cable car—what matters is the outcome: a more connected, accessible, and prosperous Durham Region.
The Chamber supports evidence-based decision-making, and we thank the DRT team for their detailed and transparent presentation. We’ll continue to monitor these developments and work to ensure our business community remains informed, engaged, and ready to benefit from the future we’re building together.
For more information on these projects, visit DurhamRegionTransit.com.
