YRT pledges service in September for route cancelled by GO Transit

York Region Transit (YRT) has announced that starting in September, it plans to run a bus service covering the route from Newmarket to York University vacated by GO Transit.

GO Transit recently announced that it will end its 64 Newmarket-York University service effective April 26, prompting protests from members of the York community and an expression of concern from York President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri.

YRT said in a statement that it will “assume responsibility for planning service from Newmarket to York University starting in September. This will continue service for the towns served by the current GO trips to York University including King.”

Shoukri had said that the plan to eliminate the service was "frustrating many York community members who use it" and called the idea "regressive".    

York University’s Transportation Services unit has been in constant touch in recent weeks with GO Transit and YRT over the cancellation. “Based on the announcement by YRT, I am hopeful that we will see a service provided for the York community that meets our needs,” said Transportation Services manager Nicole Arsenault.