Group Sales: Parking for Buses in Toronto - General Info

 

Information provided by the City of Toronto
www.toronto.ca/transportation

ON-STREET BUS PARKING INITIATIVE

In recognizing the importance of the motor coach tour industry to the City and the significant number of school groups arriving by bus to attend cultural and sporting events in the central area, the City of Toronto has identified approximately 90 parking spaces exclusively for use by buses in the downtown Core, surrounding Central Business District and Portlands areas.

Buses are allowed to park for durations ranging from a maximum of 1 hour up to a maximum of 24 hours. Traffic conditions dictate that some of these parking spaces are not available at all hours of the day. However, all spaces are offered free of charge to bus operators.

The Key Map following this text identifies the districts in the central area of the City where on-street parking for buses is provided. The detailed Zone Maps and locations list indicate specific parking areas for buses, the number of parking spaces provided (based on a full-size bus), the hours when a bus may park, and the maximum parking duration allowed.

KEY MAP

Zone 1 Central Business District (West)
Zone 2 Central Business District
Zone 3 - Core
Zone 4 Port Lands
Locations list
 

“PAY AND DISPLAY” ON-STREET PARKING

In addition to the exclusive parking spaces provided, buses can park in “pay and display” parking areas on City streets, provided adequate space is available and in accordance with any maximum time restrictions, rush hour parking prohibitions, etc. Drivers must purchase a ticket from a nearby machine located along the sidewalk and place the ticket face up on the dashboard or prominent location on the windshield of the bus.
 

DESIGNATED “MOTOR COACH LOADING AREAS”

Buses may legally “stop” to pick-up or drop-off passengers in any area where a “No Parking” or “No Standing” regulation is posted, provided the bus is actually engaged in this activity. A bus may not park in these areas and wait for groups to arrive. At certain locations where there is a high demand for passenger pick-up/drop-off by buses, “Motor Coach Loading Areas” are identified with advisory signs.

Look for the advisory signs at these locations:

• North side of Wellesley Street West at the Sutton Place Hotel

• North side of Richmond Street West at the Sheraton Centre

• West side of Victoria Street at the Canon Theatre

• North side of Carlton Street at the Days Hotel

• East side of University Avenue at the Westin Hotel
   

OFF-STREET PARKING LOTS

The City of Toronto does not operate any off-street parking facilities suitable for parking buses. A few privately operated off-street parking lots offer parking for buses at varying hourly, daily or flat rates per stay. Drivers should contact independent parking lot operators directly for further information.

The Rogers Centre operates a “Pay and Display” parking lot (pictured) on the south side of Bremner Boulevard, between Spadina Avenue and Rees Street. This facility is conveniently located across from the Rogers Centre and within a 10-minute walk from the Air Canada Centre, Harbourfront and lake activities, the Theatre District and Roy Thompson Hall.

Some on-street parking spaces may be unavailable for periods of time due to on-going construction activity. Transportation Services will strive to improve on-street parking opportunity for bus operators and to provide more parking spaces for buses where feasible. Drivers are encouraged to use the bus parking areas provided and help us make Toronto a “bus friendly” city.
 

Please obey the parking regulations and respect our environment

Buses parked in “No Parking”, “No Standing” or “No Stopping” areas could receive a $300 parking ticket. Shut off your engine....Toronto’s Anti-Idling By-law prohibits idling of a motor vehicle for more than three minutes.
 

For further information contact:
 

Ron Hamilton Manager, Traffic Operations
Toronto & East York District Transportation Services City of Toronto
(416) 392-7773
rhamilto@toronto.ca