Brampton Transit (BT) runs public bus service in Ontario, Canada’s Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and for the City of Brampton in the Regional Municipality of Peel.
Brampton Transit has been running since 1974. As of the third quarter of 2023, 49,200,800 people used the system in 2022, which is about 219,500 people per day.
Züm is a network of bus rapid transit routes that Brampton Transit started in 2010. They run along major roads in Brampton and in nearby towns.
This includes the stretch of Queen Street and Highway 7 from Downtown Brampton to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and York University; Main Street from Sandalwood to Square One in Mississauga; Steeles Avenue from Lisgar GO Station to Humber College.
Bovaird Drive and Airport Road from Mount Pleasant GO Station to Malton GO Station and Pearson Airport (Viscount Station); and Queen Street and Mississauga Road from Downtown Brampton to Mount Pleasant GO Station.
Connections
In the west, Milton Transit connects with Brampton Transit. In the south, Mississauga’s MiWay connects with Brampton Transit. In the southeast, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) connects with York Region Transit (YRT).
The Züm network is directly linked to these nearby transportation systems, and sometimes it overlaps with them for a few stops in each municipality. The 501 Züm Queen in Vaughan runs with YRT/Viva from Highway 50 to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.
The 502 Züm Main in Mississauga runs with MiWay from Derry to Square One. The 505/505A Züm Bovaird in Mississauga runs with MiWay and TTC routes that use MiWay from Morning Star to Viscount Station.
Most of Brampton Transit’s main north-south lines connect to MiWay, with Derry Road where most start or end their routes. Some lines go all the way into Mississauga, just like the Züm network, so they can be used as an extra local transit service along with MiWay.
Some examples are the 7/7A Kennedy from the border between Brampton and Mississauga to Courtneypark Dr., the 14/14A Torbram from the border to Westwood Square, and the 18 Dixie from the border to Meyerside Dr.
Steeles Avenue is a major road in Brampton. Route 11 Steeles used to go from Hurontario Street, west of Brampton Gateway, to Humber College’s North Campus in Toronto, east.
At the college, there is a connection with Route 50/50A Gore Road that serves new homes in the Gore Road area, close to where Highway 50 used to be and Albion Road.
Route 51 Hereford took the place of the western part of the route in September 2007. It was cut back to Brampton Gateway. At Mississauga Road and Meadowvale Boulevard, it links up with Miway.
From Humber College to the Lisgar GO stop in Mississauga, the 511 Züm Steeles route goes all the way along Steeles in the city. Together with the local 11 Steeles, it is the only Brampton Transit line that starts and ends outside of Brampton’s city limits.
Commuters can take Brampton Transit to and from the GO Transit-run Kitchener line train stop. At the Bramalea, Brampton, and Mount Pleasant stations, you can switch between trains and buses.
At the Bramalea City Centre, Trinity Common, and the stop next to it, Brampton Gateway, you can connect directly to fast buses.
Bramalea GO Station is a major hub for the frequent Highway 407 GO bus corridor. From there, you can take a GO bus to other towns in the GTHA.
Along with being on the Kitchener Line, this station is the only one in the GTHA that gives Brampton Transit a direct link to and from Toronto, Mississauga, Halton Hills, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, and cities outside of the GTHA like Waterloo and Guelph.
Price ranges
Prices are correct as of May 10, 2023. The cost in cash is $4.50. People who pay for their bus fare with cash or some type of special paper ticket can ask the bus driver for a paper transfer. People who pay with Presto cards automatically get the transfer from the first tap.
Both are good for two hours from the time they are first used. This means that customers can freely switch between Brampton Transit buses going in any direction, as well as between services run by Milton Transit, MiWay (Mississauga), and York Region Transit.
It has been possible for customers since August 11, 2022, to pay the same amount of money as an adult Brampton Transit fare with a contactless credit card or mobile wallet by tapping it on a Presto ticket reader.
The two-hour transfer works in either direction, just like the Presto card, and is quickly added to a customer’s contactless credit card or mobile wallet after the first price is paid.
People in preschool, who are blind, or who are 65 years or older and live in the City of Brampton can ride Brampton Transit for free as long as they have a current Brampton Transit Identification Card and a Presto card with a free annual pass loaded on it.
Veterans of war can also travel for free with the Veteran Transit Pass Program.
FAQs about Brampton Transit:
Q1: How long has Brampton Transit been in operation?
A: Brampton Transit has been operating since 1974.
Q2: What is Züm in Brampton Transit?
A: Züm is a network of bus rapid transit routes introduced by Brampton Transit in 2010. These routes run along major roads in Brampton and nearby towns.
Q3: Which major routes does the Züm network cover?
A: The Züm network covers routes along Queen Street, Highway 7, Main Street, Steeles Avenue, Bovaird Drive, Airport Road, and Mississauga Road, connecting various key destinations.
Q4: Are there connections with other transit systems?
A: Yes, Brampton Transit connects with Milton Transit in the west, MiWay in the south, and TTC in the southeast. The Züm network also links with these systems in some areas.
Q5: Can Brampton Transit be used for travel outside Brampton?
A: Yes, several north-south lines connect to MiWay, extending into Mississauga, providing additional local transit services along with MiWay.
Q6: What are the major routes on Steeles Avenue?
A: Route 11 Steeles goes from Hurontario Street to Humber College, with connections like Route 50/50A Gore Road. The 511 Züm Steeles goes from Humber College to Lisgar GO stop in Mississauga.
Q7: How does Brampton Transit connect to GO Transit?
A: Commuters can take Brampton Transit to and from the GO Transit-run Kitchener line train stop. Stations like Bramalea, Brampton, and Mount Pleasant offer transfers between trains and buses.
Q8: Which major hub is Bramalea GO Station for Brampton Transit?
A: Bramalea GO Station is a major hub for the frequent Highway 407 GO bus corridor, providing direct links to various towns in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).
Q9: What are the fare options for Brampton Transit?
A: As of May 10, 2023, the cash fare is $4.50. Presto card users receive a transfer automatically. Contactless credit cards or mobile wallets can also be used, and a two-hour transfer is provided.
Q10: Who is eligible for free rides on Brampton Transit?
A: Preschoolers, blind individuals, and residents aged 65 or older in the City of Brampton can ride for free with a Brampton Transit Identification Card and a Presto card with a free annual pass. War veterans can also travel for free through the Veteran Transit Pass Program.
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