DRT’s Route to Wow: A Year of momentum, milestones and community impact

A DRT bus parked on a street in front of a modern building with large windows. Streetlights and a clear blue sky are visible in the background.

In 2025, Durham Region Transit (DRT) was on the Route to Wow—delivering a year defined by growth, innovation and an unwavering commitment to the people and communities we serve.

A growing network, powered by people and innovation

Last year, DRT operated over 615,000 hours of fixed-route service and approximately 200,000 hours of On Demand service, including Specialized Transit. With a fleet of 200 buses—including the system’s first six battery-electric buses and eight 18metre articulated vehicles—DRT kept the Region moving across 36 routes.

Ridership remained strong, with 900,000 to 1.2 million customers each month on fixed routes, plus an additional 25,000 to 30,000 On Demand passengers.

Behind the scenes, the DRT Customer Service team processed 192,475 calls, each one an opportunity to support a customer’s journey.

Enhancing service to meet community needs

In response to evolving demand, DRT delivered major service enhancements in 2025:

More than 35,000 scheduled service hours added

Nearly 23,000 new On Demand hours introduced

These expansions strengthened connections across Durham Region and supported continued ridership growth.

Building a more inclusive transit experience

Last year marked meaningful steps toward making transit more welcoming and accessible for all customers:

Launch of fare-free travel for Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans

Partnership with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program to support riders with non-visible disabilities

A collaboration with Durham Tourism to highlight local attractions along DRT routes

Installation of six new community-designed benches that enhance both comfort and the visual appeal of transit stops

Growing the workforce of tomorrow

DRT invested in the future workforce through:

Welcoming the first mechanic apprentice in a new skilled trades development program

Supporting students through Durham College’s inaugural Hackathon

Sponsoring a local participant at the CUTA Young Leader Summit

These initiatives help build the skills and talent needed for the transit systems of tomorrow.

Advancing major infrastructure for Durham Region

2025 saw significant progress on the long-term projects shaping the future of mobility in Durham:

Construction began on the Durham–Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit corridor in Ajax

Properties were secured for new transit terminals at Windfield Farms and Harmony Road (between Taunton and Conlin)

Continued facility upgrades to support a future battery-electric fleet

These investments lay the groundwork for faster, sustainable and more reliable transit service.

See the Route to Wow in Action

Watch our Year in Review video to experience the achievements, stories and progress that defined 2025. The momentum doesn’t stop here. In 2026, DRT marks its 20th anniversary—a significant milestone and a chance to recognize two decades of progress, growth and the people who made it all possible.

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