The Durham Region Transit Executive Committee is meeting on March 4, 2026, to discuss a new five-year strategy that will add more bus service and new technology to Oshawa, Ontario. The meeting will focus on a plan called Driving Durham, which outlines how the region will grow its transit network through 2030.
The 2026 transit budget includes $3.8 million specifically for growth, which will pay for an additional 36,382 hours of service for passengers. This increase includes over 31,000 hours for regular bus routes and nearly 5,000 hours for the On Demand service, which uses smaller vehicles to pick up riders who book trips in advance.
For local riders, service on Harmony Road has been moved up to start in 2026 instead of 2027 to help keep up with the city’s rapid growth. The Durham Region Transit East Depot in Oshawa is also being upgraded to support a new fleet of battery-electric buses that are expected to begin running this year.
The committee is also reviewing a new subscription model that allows regular commuters to book their recurring trips more easily. This change is intended to help the transit system manage high demand from residents and students at Durham College and Ontario Tech University who rely on the local bus network.
