Compiled by Pete Coulman
Additional information by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos
See Also:
Operations Overview
- Type: Local
- Established: April 15, 1956
- Distance: 23.43 km
- Blue Night Service: 343 KENNEDY NIGHT
- Types of vehicles used: Orion VII
- Bus Length: 40’ standard low-floor
- Division: Eglinton
- Ridership: 15,494 (2014)
This route currently operates with 3 branches:
- 43A Kennedy Station - Steeles
- 43B Kennedy Station - Scarborough Centre Station via Progress
- 43C Kennedy Station - Village Green Square
April 15, 1956
Service begins on a new route replacing part of the PINE HILLS bus service. Buses run from Luttrell loop at the eastern end of the BLOOR STREETCAR via east on Danforth Avenue, northeast on Danforth Road and north on Kennedy Road to loop via west on Forbes, north and southeast on Ellendale Drive and east on Forbes to Kennedy, returning via the reverse route. Buses operate 7 days a week, 18 hours a day.
Certain early morning and late evening trips operate from Luttrell loop to St. Clair Avenue east, looping from Kennedy via east on St. Clair and southwest on Danforth Road to route.
Along with 15 BRIMLEY, 43 KENNEDY was the first route to receive a route number under the current scheme. This route operated out of Birchmount Garage.
|
KENNEDY |
43 |
F O R B E S |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
KENNEDY |
43A |
S T. C L A I R |
|
Early morning and late evening end-of-service runs. | ||
November 25, 1956
The looping at the north end of this route is revised so that buses operate further north on Kennedy to loop via west on Shropshire, south on Wye Valley and southeast on Ellendale and east on Forbes to Kennedy to route.
|
KENNEDY |
43 |
E L L E N D A L E |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
KENNEDY |
43A |
S T. C L A I R |
|
Early morning and late evening end-of-service runs. | ||
December 7, 1959
During the day on weekdays, service extended north from Shropshire to the old village of Agincourt. Buses follow the main route along Kennedy and continue to Sheppard and then run east on Sheppard to Midland, looping via north on Midland, east on Rural Road and south on Glenwatford to Sheppard, returning via Sheppard and Kennedy to Luttrell. This extension is entirely within Zone 3 while the rest of the route is within Zone 2. Therefore, north of Shropshire, on board passengers pay when leaving while those entering pay while boarding. The centre-exit doors remain closed. Operators are ordered to set the transfer cutter to “DOWN” when northbound at Sheppard and Midland.
|
KENNEDY |
43 |
E L L E N D A L E |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
KENNEDY |
43A |
S T. C L A I R |
|
Early morning and late evening end-of-service runs. | ||
|
KENNEDY |
43B |
A G I N C O U R T |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours and midday | ||
February 1, 1962
The suburban fare zones #2 and 3 are combined into a single fare zone, eliminating the special boarding protocols north of Shropshire.
September 4, 1962
Service extended north on Kennedy past Sheppard to loop at Finch clockwise around the triangle formed by the jogged intersection. Service on Sheppard is replaced by an extension of 23 DAWES.
|
KENNEDY |
43 |
E L L E N D A L E |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
KENNEDY |
43A |
S T. C L A I R |
|
Early morning and late evening end-of-service runs. | ||
|
KENNEDY |
43B |
F I N C H |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours and midday | ||
April 19, 1964
Service in the south is split so that alternate “Ellendale” buses are diverted off of Danforth Road via north on Warden and east on St. Clair Avenue to Kennedy. The remaining buses remain on the regular route. This diversion serves a new housing development on Warden north of Danforth Avenue. No change to the destination signs. Window cards reading “VIA WARDEN” and “VIA DANFORTH” are used.
January 24, 1965
Most “Ellendale” service is rerouted via Warden and St. Clair. During rush hours, alternate buses continue to run via Danforth Road, and this service is redesignated 43C.
|
KENNEDY |
43 |
E L L E N D A L E |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
KENNEDY |
43A |
S T. C L A I R |
|
Early morning and late evening end-of-service runs. | ||
|
KENNEDY |
43B |
F I N C H |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours and midday | ||
|
K E N N E D Y |
43C |
E L L E N D A L E |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
May 11, 1968
Coincident with the extension of the BLOOR-DANFORTH SUBWAY to Warden station, all service at the south end is rerouted to operate via Kennedy and St. Clair Avenue to Warden station. Service on Kennedy south of St. Clair is replaced by an extension of the 9 BELLAMY. Most service runs to Finch, but short turn service is provided to Ellesmere, looping via west on Brigstock, north on Wye Valley and east on Ellesmere to Kennedy.
|
KENNEDY |
43 |
F I N C H |
|
Monday to Saturday, daytime and early evening | ||
|
KENNEDY |
43A |
E L L E S M E R E |
|
Monday to Friday daytime, | ||
August 18, 1969
Kennedy Road is closed at Highway 401 for overpass construction and reconfiguration. As a result, the 43 KENNEDY route is split into two parts. All buses from Warden Station now terminate at an off-street loop on the east side of Kennedy Road just north of Antrim Crescent. A shuttle service runs from Birchmount and Sheppard, connecting with 17 BIRCHMOUNT (looping via south on Birchmount, west on Cass Avenue, north on Amethyst and east on Sheppard) via Sheppard and north on Kennedy to the existing looping at Finch.
Septebmer 2, 1969
At this point, the north end shuttle is discontinued and service resumes between Warden station and Finch. However, buses still detour around the 401 construction via east on Progress, north on Midland and west on Sheppard to Kennedy. Detour routing is reversed on southbound trips. This continued for another few weeks before normal service resumed.
January 2, 1972
Weekday evening, Saturday evening and Sunday service is extended to Finch, although short turn service continues to Ellesmere, Mondays to Fridays during the day.
September 5, 1972
A new rush hour branch is established serving Progress Avenue. Buses operate from Warden station via St. Clair and Kennedy to Progress and then operate via east on Progress to loop clockwise via Estate Drive (just west of Markham Road.
|
KENNEDY |
43 |
F I N C H |
|
7 days a week, 18 hours a day | ||
|
KENNEDY |
43A |
E L L E S M E R E |
|
Monday to Friday rush hours and midday | ||
|
K E N N E D Y |
43B |
M A R K H A M R D. |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
June 24, 1973
Buses on the 43B “Via Progress” branch are routed through the newly opened Scarborough Town Centre, both ways between Brimley Road and McCowan Road. Hours of service are increased to operate Mondays through Saturdays, 18 hours a day.
Septempter 4, 1973
Service extended north of Finch Avenue on a new branch to Steeles, looping via east on Passmore, north on Midland and west on Steeles to Kennedy, Mondays to Fridays during the day. The short turn service at Ellesmere is discontinued.
|
KENNEDY |
43 |
F I N C H |
|
Monday to Friday, evenings | ||
|
KENNEDY |
43A |
S T E E L E S |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours and midday | ||
|
K E N N E D Y |
43B |
M A R K H A M R D. |
|
Monday to Saturday, 18 hours a day | ||
January 2, 1974
Service along Progress is extended as a new branch via north on Markham Road and east on Sheppard to loop via Washburn Way, Tapscott and Neilson, Mondays through Saturdays, 18 hours a day. The 43B “Estate Drive” loop remains as a rush hour short turn service.
|
KENNEDY |
43 |
F I N C H |
|
Monday to Friday, evenings | ||
|
KENNEDY |
43A |
S T E E L E S |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours and midday | ||
|
K E N N E D Y |
43B |
M A R K H A M R D. |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
K E N N E D Y |
43C |
N E I L S O N |
|
Monday to Saturday, 18 hours a day | ||
March 9, 1974
Saturday service is added to the Steeles Avenue branch, running to 6:00 p.m.
January 7, 1979
With the realignment of Kennedy Avenue eliminating the old “triangle”, the looping at Finch Avenue is revised. Buses now turn via east on Finch, north on Milliken Gate and west on Trojan Gate to Kennedy.
November 22, 1980
Coincident with the extension of the BLOOR-DANFORTH SUBWAY to Kennedy station, all buses now operate out of the Kennedy station bus terminal via west on Eglinton and north on Kennedy. Service south of Eglinton is replaced by the new 113 DANFORTH and existing routes operating along St. Clair Avenue.
At the north end, the 43C branch is extended to operate via east on Sheppard and north on Washburn Way and Tapscott to loop via Finch, Neilson and Crow Trail. Alternate rush hour trips continue to turn back at Estate Drive, just west of Markham Road.
|
KENNEDY |
43 |
F I N C H |
|
>Monday to Friday, rush hours and evenings | ||
|
KENNEDY |
43A |
S T E E L E S |
|
Monday to Saturday, daytime hours | ||
|
K E N N E D Y |
43B |
M A R K H A M R D. |
|
Monday to Friday, rush hours only | ||
|
K E N N E D Y |
43C |
F I N C H |
|
Monday to Saturday, 18 hours a day | ||
May 25, 1981
The 43B “Markham Road” rush hour short turn service now operates during the afternoon rush hour only.
July 24, 1983
Service transferred from Birchmount Garage to the newly opened Malvern Garage.
March 12, 1984
The 43C “Finch via Progress” branch is expanded, with buses now looping via Tapscott, Newgate, Finchdene Square, Finch, Baldoon and Crow Trail, replacing a branch of 102 MARKHAM ROAD in this area.
October 15, 1984
Morning rush hour service is restored to the 43B “Markham Road” branch
March 23, 1985
Coincident with the opening of the SCARBOROUGH RT, service on Progress Avenue east of the Scarborough Town Centre is replaced by the 134 TAPSCOTT route operating out of Scarborough Centre station. The 43C branch is eliminated, and the 43B branch is cut back to Scarborough Centre station, now operating Mondays through Saturdays, 18 hours a day. Buses enter Scarborough Centre station via the regular route to Progress and Brimley and then via south on Brimley and eat on Triton Road. Also on this day, this route was reassigned from Malvern Garage to Birchmount Garage.
|
KENNEDY |
43 |
F I N C H |
|
>Monday to Friday, rush hours and evenings | ||
|
KENNEDY |
43A |
S T E E L E S |
|
Monday to Saturday, daytime hours | ||
|
K E N N E D Y |
43B |
SCARBOROUGH CENTRE K E N N E D Y S T N |
|
Monday to Saturday, 18 hours a day | ||
September 8, 1987
Under a new agreement with the Town of Markham, service is extended on Kennedy north of Steeles on a new branch that operates via Kennedy, Unionville Gate, Main Street and Bridle Trail, looping via the Unionville Bypass, 16th Avenue and Longwater. All rush hour service is extended north of Steeles on this branch, cutting service on the Passmore Avenue loop.
|
KENNEDY |
43 |
F I N C H |
|
>Monday to Friday, rush hours and evenings | ||
|
KENNEDY |
43A |
S T E E L E S |
|
Monday to Friday, midday | ||
|
K E N N E D Y |
43B |
SCARBOROUGH CENTRE K E N N E D Y S T N |
|
Monday to Saturday, 18 hours a day | ||
|
KENNEDY |
43D |
1 6 T H A V E N U E |
|
Monday to Saturday, daytime hours | ||
 |
43 KENNEDY transfer, circa 1990. For some reason, the route description inside is for 12 KINGSTON ROAD, an intriguing typo. |
March 13, 1988
Monday through Saturday evening service is added to the 43A Steeles branch.
October 17, 1988
The 43C “Unionville” looping is revised. Buses operate over the existing route to Main Street and Highway 7 and then via Highway 7, the Unionville Bypass and 16th Avenue to an off-street loop at McCowan Road and 16th Avenue.
July 24, 1989
At the request of the Town of Markham, service levels north of Steeles Avenue is reduced and rush hour service returns to the 43A Steeles branch. Sunday buses are extended north of Finch Avenue to Steeles until 6:00 p.m.
|
KENNEDY |
43 |
F I N C H |
|
>Monday to Friday, rush hours | ||
|
KENNEDY |
43A |
S T E E L E S |
|
>Monday to Saturday, 18 hours a day | ||
|
K E N N E D Y |
43B |
SCARBOROUGH CENTRE K E N N E D Y S T N |
|
Monday to Saturday, 18 hours a day | ||
|
KENNEDY |
43D |
1 6 T H A V E N U E |
|
Monday to Saturday, daytime hours | ||
June 15, 1992
At the request of the Town of Markham, weekday midday service is discontinued on the 43C Unionville branch.
On or Before March 1993
Service through the Passmore loop is reversed to provide more direct service on Kennedy to Steeles Avenue. Northbound buses continue past Passmore Avenue to Steeles and then loop via east on Steeles, south on Midland and west on Passmore. Around that period, it also provides connection to the newly built Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School that opened in 1992.
September 11, 1993
At the request of the Town of Markham, Saturday service is discontinued on the 43C Unionville branch. Buses on this branch operate rush hours only.
February 13, 1994
The Finch short turn service is discontinued, with all regular service operated to Steeles. The Steeles branch is redesignated 43 from 43A.
NORTHBOUND |
|
SOUTHBOUND |
||
43 |
K E N N E D Y |
|
43 |
K E N N E D Y |
TO STEELES |
TO KENNEDY STN |
|||
7 days a week, 18 hours a day |
||||
43B |
K E N N E D Y |
|
43B |
K E N N E D Y |
TO SCARBOROUGH CTR |
TO KENNEDY STN |
|||
Monday to Saturday, 18 hours a day |
||||
43C |
K E N N E D Y |
|
|
|
TO 16TH AVENUE |
|
|||
Monday to Friday, rush hours only |
||||
 |
Transfer for the 43 KENNEDY route on Tuesday, October 22nd, 2013. Image donated by Anthony Chung |
February 19, 1996
As part of a series of system-wide service cuts resulting from the elimination of provincial subsidies for public transportation, all service on Progress Avenue to Scarborough Centre station after 7 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays, is eliminated. All service after 1:00 a.m. is eliminated. Rush hour service is reduced. Monday to Friday evening service is reduced to every 20 minutes.
January 2, 1998
The last day of service on the 43C branch north of Steeles. The service is discontinued at the request of Markham Transit becoming 8 KENNEDY.
March 31, 2002
With the closure of Old Eglinton Garage on Yonge St., the route has been switched from Birchmount Garage to the New Eglinton Garage on Comstock road.
March 29, 2004
Service on the 43B branch to Scarborough Centre station is rerouted slightly so that all buses leave Scarborough Centre via Triton Road and Borough Drive instead of via Triton Road and Brimley Road.
June 19 and 20, 2005
Service is rendered accessible using newer Orion VII low-floor buses.
As part of the TTC’s Ridership Growth Strategy, service is increased, Monday to Friday middays and during the day on Saturdays. During weekday middays, both branches operate every 15 minutes, providing a combined service south of Progress Avenue of 7 minutes, 30 seconds. During Saturdays, service on both branches is operated at 12 minute intervals, providing a combined service of every 6 minutes south of Progress Avenue.
November 23, 2008
As part of the TTC’s Ridership Growth Strategy, service on the 43B “Progress” branch is now operated 7 days a week, whenever the subway or Scarborough RT is open. Evening service on weekdays, late evening service on Saturdays and all Sunday service is interlined with 134 PROGRESS
Due to the opening of Mount Dennis Garage, operations were reassigned from Eglinton (Comstock) garage to Birchmount garage.
January 3, 2010
Operations switched once again from Birchmount Garage to Eglinton (Comstock) Garage.
May 8, 2011
As part of a system-wide series of system cuts, late evening service and all Sunday and holiday service is eliminated from the 43B “Progress” branch.
NORTHBOUND |
|
SOUTHBOUND |
||
43 |
K E N N E D Y |
|
43 |
K E N N E D Y |
TO STEELES |
TO KENNEDY STN |
|||
7 days a week, 18 hours a day |
||||
43B |
K E N N E D Y |
|
|
|
TO SCARBOROUGH CTR |
|
|||
Monday to Saturday, daytime and early evenings |
||||
June 22, 2014
Due to system-wide reorganization of route branch designations, northbound buses to Steeles (43) have been redesignated back to 43A.
NORTHBOUND |
|
SOUTHBOUND |
||
|
|
|
43 |
KENNEDY |
|
TO KENNEDY STN |
|||
7 days a week, 18 hours a day |
||||
43A |
K E N N E D Y |
|
|
|
TO STEELES |
|
|||
7 days a week, 18 hours a day |
||||
43B |
K E N N E D Y |
|
|
|
TO SCARBOROUGH CTR |
|
|||
Monday to Saturday, daytime and early evenings |
||||
September 6, 2015
Sunday and holiday service on the 43B (Kennedy Station-Scarborough Centre via Progress) branch is restored. Buses run running every 15-20 minutes except after 10pm. Also, night service is installed on Kennedy Road and is provided by the 343 KENNEDY BLUE NIGHT bus.
November 23, 2020
Service begins on the new 43C “Village Green Square” branch. This service will operate every 30 minutes during peak periods, from Monday to Friday, on a trial basis and will be subject to a post-implementation review in 2021.
NORTHBOUND |
|
SOUTHBOUND |
||
|
|
|
43 |
KENNEDY |
|
TO KENNEDY STN |
|||
7 days a week, 18 hours a day |
||||
43A |
K E N N E D Y |
|
|
|
TO STEELES |
|
|||
7 days a week, 18 hours a day |
||||
43B |
K E N N E D Y |
|
|
|
TO SCARBOROUGH CTR |
|
|||
7 days a week, 18 hours a day |
||||
43C |
K E N N E D Y |
|
|
|
TO VILLAGE GREEN SQUARE |
|
|||
Monday to Friday, rush hours only |
||||
March 28, 2021
Buses on this route moved to the newly-opened McNicoll Garage from Eglinton/Comstock Garage.
October 12, 2021
With the launch of the new 943 KENNEDY EXPRESS, service levels on 43 KENNEDY will be reduced in the afternoon peak period.
Service Summary as of September 6, 2014
Period | Frequency | Buses Used | Notes |
Weekday AM Peak | 10’ 00” (43A) | 8 | Combined total of 5’ 00” frequency with 13 buses |
Weekday Midday | 11’ 00” (43A) | 7 | Combined total of 5’ 30” frequency with 12 buses |
Weekday PM Peak | 9’ 00” (43A) | 10 | Combined total of 6’ 00” frequency with 13 buses |
Weekday Early Evening | 15’ 00” (43A) | 5 | Combined total of 7’ 30” frequency with 8 buses |
Weekday Late Evening | 12’ 00” (43A) | 5 | |
Saturday Early Morning | 15’ 00” (43A) | 4 | Combined total of 7’ 30” frequency with 7 buses |
Saturday Morning | 14’ 00” (43A) | 6 | Combined total of 7’ 30” frequency with 9 buses |
Saturday Afternoon | 14’ 00” (43A) | 6 | Combined total of 7’ 30” frequency with 9 buses |
Saturday Early Evening | 20’ 00” (43A) | 3 | Combined total of 10’ 00” frequency with 5 buses |
Saturday Late Evening | 20’ 00” (43A) | 3 | |
Sunday Early Morning | 0’ 00” | 0 | Route does not operate |
Sunday Morning | 8’ 45” (43A) | 8 | |
Sunday Afternoon | 8’ 45” (43A) | 8 | |
Sunday Early Evening | 15’ 00” (43A) | 4 | |
Sunday Late Evening | 15’ 00” (43A) | 4 |
43 Kennedy Image Archive
|
A scan of the TTC map of 43 KENNEDY operations, as seen in the January 1, 1958 Orders and Notice. |
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A scan of page two of the TTC's Orders and Notice for 43 KENNEDY, effective January 1, 1958. Item donated by Pete Coulman. |
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TTC CC&F buses 1912 and 1905 lay over at Luttrell loop in September 1963, in service on 43 KENNEDY and 67 PHARMACY respectively. This image is from the Anthony Hall collection and was donated by William Paul. |
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A scan from the April 19, 1964 edition of the TTC's Headlights, highlighting changes to the 43 KENNEDY route. Item donated by Pete Coulman. |
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A scan of the front (left) and back (right) of the TTC's timetable of 43 KENNEDY operations effective September 10, 1965. Image donated by Pete Coulman. |
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TTC GM "New Look" bus #3715 enters Warden Station's bus terminal from westbound St. Clair Avenue East in 43 KENNEDY service. This late afternoon shot was taken circa August 1970 by Richard Glaze. |
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A TTC poster promoting the launch of the 43B KENNEDY via Progress branch on Tuesday, September 5, 1972. Image courtesy the Toronto Archives. |
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TTC GM "New Look" bus #2913 approaches Steeles Avenue in 43 KENNEDY service. This photo was taken by Leondard Jacks circa 1973. The rollsign says "Finch", but the window sign points to the new "Steeles" branch. |
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A scan of the outside of the TTC's official timetable of 43 KENNEDY operations, effective May 11, 1975. Item donated by Pete Coulman. |
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A scan of the inside of the TTC's timetable for 43 Kennedy operations, effective May 11, 1975. Item donated by Pete Coulman. |
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TTC GM Classic bus #6086 waits at Scarborough Centre station in service on 43 KENNEDY in the mid 1980s. The photographer is unknown; this picture was donated by Pete Coulman. |
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A scan of a TTC front rollsign, showing 43 KENNEDY exposures, circa 1988. Image courtesy Joseph Chemerys at the Rollsign Gallery. |
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TTC "original generation" Orion VII bus 7709 waits to take on passengers at Kennedy Stn. on June 11, 2009. Photo by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos |
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A TTC "original generation" Orion VII bus 7523 leaves Scarborough Centre station on August 22, 2010. Photo by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos. |
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An official map of 43 KENNEDY operations, effective April 1, 2013. |
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TTC Orion VII bus #7657 in service on 43B KENNEDY waits in front of Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #8103, in service on 20 CLIFFSIDE, at Kennedy Station on June 13, 2013. Photo by James Bow. |
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TTC NovaBus #8492 poses at Bingham Loop, showing off the sign for the newly-minted 43C KENNEDY "Village Green" branch on November 27, 2020. Photo by Marcus Danchuk. |
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The TTC advertisement on the Toronto Star shown on the Thursday, November 20, 1980 edition shows major changes related to the Kennedy station opening affecting the routes 9 BELLAMY, 20 CLIFFSIDE, 21 BRIMLEY, 34 EGLINTON EAST, 43 KENNEDY, 57 MIDLAND, 69 WARDEN SOUTH, 86 SCARBORO, 102 MARKHAM ROAD, 113 DANFORTH, and 114 KINGSTON ROAD EAST. |
