TD Rouge Express

Free Shuttle Service to Rouge National Urban Park & Toronto Zoo



30 km from downtown toronto
45-60 minutes
school bus

Ticket Prices

  • Advance free seat reservations available with $15.00 refundable deposit
  • Access to Rouge National Urban Park is free for everyone
  • Toronto Zoo reservations must be pre-booked







Bus One to Rouge National Urban Park/Zoo

Pick Up #1: 9:00 am @ 34 Asquith Ave (Yonge / Bloor area)

Arrival by ~10:00

Bus Two to Rouge National Urban Park/Zoo

Pick Up #2: 12:00 am @ 34 Asquith Ave (Yonge / Bloor area)

Arrival by ~1:00

Return

Leave Rouge National Urban Park/Zoo @ 4:00 PM

Arrival @ 34 Asquith Ave : ~5:00PM


ABOUT THE SERVICE



Through a partnership between Parks Canada, Mountain Equipment Company and TD Bank, Parkbus is again running the TD Rouge Express — a free shuttle bus service from downtown Toronto to the Rouge National Urban Park, between June and August 2023. Visitors may have the opportunity to participate in a Parks Canada guided walk or can explore the park on their own.

To make use of this free shuttle, simply book your spot online, secured with a $15 deposit that is refunded as long as you show up to claim your spot.


To make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible, here are a few things to consider before the trip:


Portable toilets are available by Zoo Road Day Use Area near the parking lot and bathrooms are available at Black Walnut Day Use Area. If you have any questions about the bus service, please email help@parkbus.ca. If you have questions about Rouge National Urban Park, you can call Parks Canada at 416-264-2020 or email rouge@pc.gc.ca. Please note that Parks Canada staff are unable to provide any information about the bus or reservations. Parks Canada phone lines are also not active after November 1st.


Please be at least 15 minutes early at your pickup location. We do not wait for late passengers, so consider taking a taxi, Uber/Lyft or public transit if you are running late.


The 34 Asquith Ave pickup location is about 100 meters north of the Yonge-Bloor subway entrance (Yonge Street Entrance). As there may be multiple buses, please ensure that you are in line for the correct bus.


If you are planning on visiting the Toronto Zoo, you must have a pre-purchased ticket prior to boarding the bus. Tickets can be purchased online here: https://www.torontozoo.com/welcomeback *Please note, Zoo Members are not required to pre-book a time slot prior to arrival. Zoo Members can visit at any time and show membership at the front gate.

Parks Canada maps, information and water will be available at the Zoo Road Day Use Area. To plan your trip before you come, please visit https://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/on/rouge/visit or call 416-264-2020.



LEAVE NO TRACE


Respect the environment and remember to pack out everything you pack in. We want to make sure that we leave the park in better shape than we found it. Please remember:


  • Bring a bag to carry your garbage or take-out until you can dispose of it properly.

  • Campfires, alcohol, barbecues and fireworks are not allowed in Rouge National Urban Park.

  • Harvesting is not allowed in Rouge National Urban Park to protect endangered species and ensure that others can enjoy the park as you did. Even invasive crayfish need to remain in the park to prevent them from damaging other waters.
  • Keep wildlife wild. The best place to get close to wildlife is at the Toronto Zoo. Never feed or approach animals in Rouge National Urban Park, for their safety and yours.

SAFETY

Lyme disease is on the rise in North America. While your chances of getting bitten by an infected tick are low, you must take appropriate steps to minimize the risk, especially if you have kids or pets. Make sure to read this guide to avoid ticks and know what to do if you find one.


Please do not forget anything on the bus! The buses are stationed outside of Toronto and are used on other routes. We may not be able to locate any missing items.





Frequently Asked Questions

Who funded this service anyways?

The service is funded primarily by TD Bank Group as part of their TD Friends of the Environment Fund. Additional funding comes from Parks Canada as well as Mountain Equipment Company and the Toronto Zoo. If your organization is interested in becoming a sponsor to help us extend this important service beyond October, please get in touch!

Can I purchase food or get water in Rouge National Urban Park or the Zoo?

To help plan for a great day in the park, please ensure you bring with you lots of extra water, snacks, lunch, sunscreen, and bug spray. Water will be available at the Zoo Road Day Use Area. There are very few amenities near the park, there are no facilities at the Zoo Road Day Use Area in Rouge National Urban Park.
If you are going to the Zoo, there are snacks and water available for sale.

What do I need to bring with me?

In addition to food, water and snacks, we recommend that you bring what you need to spend the day outdoors, dress for the weather and wear closed toed footwear. Check the weather forecast before you come and consider bringing rain gear with you just in case.

Can anyone board the bus for free?

Yes. As long as there is space. All seats must be reserved online with a refundable credit card deposit (deposit is refunded as long as you show up).

Are your buses wheelchair accessible?

Unfortunately not currently due to costs - accessible vehicle are significantly more expensive, which would only allow us to offer one third of the dates we can currently offer with a school bus.

What kind of buses do you use? Is there is washroom / AC on board?

We use school buses for this route, which have no washroom and no AC. While they are less comfortable than motorcoach buses (which we use on Parkbus overnight destinations such as Algonquin), they also cost a fraction of what a motorcoach costs, allowing us to triple the number of days of operation available.

Do I have to participate in Parks Canada events if I take the bus?

No you are free to explore the park on your own. Please adhere to Leave No Trace principles - leave only footsteps, take only photos, don’t venture off trails, and don’t miss your bus back.

Are pets allowed on board?

Pets are currently not allowed on this route.

Can we bring bikes or strollers?

We use a school bus for this route, and unfortunately there is no space for bikes. Folding strollers may work, if they fold really well - if you are coming with a folding stroller, be sure to show up early to be the first one on the bus.

Who designed your awesome bus wrap?

Thank you, we love the wrap as well! Local Toronto designer Alexandra Pokras created the original wrap, and also had an amazing idea to leave the blank space for passengers to write right on the wrap! You can get in touch with Alexandra through LinkedIn. In 2021, as Toronto Zoo officially became a destination for this service, a very talented member of their team revamped the original design to include Zoo elements.