Book your trip

30 km from downtown toronto

45-60 minutes

school bus

Ticket Prices

FREE!

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

Rouge Bus Schedule

This bus has two pick up times from downtown Toronto, and one return time from Rouge National Urban Park

Pick up #1 to Rouge National Urban Park/Zoo

9:00 AM @ 34 Asquith Ave (Yonge / Bloor area)

Arrival by ~10:00 AM

Pick up #2 to Rouge National Urban Park/Zoo

12:00 PM @ 34 Asquith Ave (Yonge / Bloor area)

Arrival by ~1:00 PM

Return

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

Arrival @ 34 Asquith Ave : ~5:00PM

ABOUT THE SERVICE

Parkbus, in collaboration with Parks Canada, Mountain Equipment Company and TD Bank, is once again offering the TD Rouge Express — a free shuttle bus service from downtown Toronto to the Rouge National Urban Park, between June to October 2024. Visitors can join a Parks Canada guided walk on most days, or can explore the park on their own.

To ride this free shuttle, simply book your spot online with a $15 deposit that is refunded when you show up to claim your spot on trip day.

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

Please arrive 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. The Zoo Road Day Use Area pickup location is the same as where you are dropped off.

Portable toilets are available by Zoo Road Day Use Area near the parking lot and bathrooms are available at Black Walnut Day Use Area. Please come prepared for a day in the park, there are no locations to purchase food, and no water stations available.

Please note that Parks Canada staff are unable to provide any information about the bus or your reservations.

If you have any questions about reservations or the bus, please email help@parkbus.ca.

Parks Canada maps and information are available at the Zoo Road Day Use Area. To plan your trip in advance, please visit Plan your visit , call 416-264-2020 or email rouge@pc.gc.ca.

If you are planning on visiting the Toronto Zoo, you can pre-purchase tickets (recommended) or buy in-person upon arrival. Tickets can be purchased online here: Admissions

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 until you can dispose of it properly. Garbage and recycling bins are available in the Zoo Road Day Use Area parking lot.

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

Harvesting (plants or wildlife) is prohibited in Rouge National Urban Park to protect endangered species and ensure that others can enjoy the park as you did. Bring back memories only.
Keep wildlife wild. The best place to observe wildlife up close 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 What’s the tick situation in the Rouge? 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 are 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, 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. Food and water are not available for purchase in Rouge National Urban Park and there are very few amenities in and near the 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?

At this time, school buses are not outfitted to accommodate wheelchairs. We do our best to support those who have support persons, and those who have folding wheelchairs, please inquire before booking.

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

We use school buses for this route, they do not have washrooms or air conditioning. 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.

Are there any Parks Canada activities or events I can participate in?

Yes, there’s at least one free guided walk offered from Zoo Road Day Use Area on each Parkbus trip. Guided walks can begin at 10 AM or 1 PM beside the oTentik. Pre-registration is not necessary, just show up! Details about all guided walks in Rouge National Urban Park can be found here under Schedule: Schedule

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?

No, pets are not permitted on the bus.

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.

TD Rouge Express

Free Shuttle Service to Rouge National Urban Park & Toronto Zoo