Gray Coach
Encyclopedia
Gray Coach was an inter-city bus
line based in Toronto
, Ontario
, from 1927 to 1991.
. From 1927 to the 1930s, Gray Coach acquired numerous and smaller competitors in the Greater Toronto Area
. The operator eventually dominated inter-urban bus service by the end of the 1930s. Gray Coach used inter-urban coaches to link Toronto to outlying areas throughout Southern Ontario
, such as Owen Sound, London, Kitchener, Guelph, Niagara Falls, Sudbury, North Bay, Barrie and Hamilton. Gray Coach also offered service to Buffalo, and in a pooling agreement with Greyhound, to New York City. In addition, Gray Coach operated sightseeing tour service in and around Toronto, eventually in association with Gray Line
tours. The Gray Coach Lines also provided one-hour Motor Launch Tours of the lagoons off Toronto's harbour and of the waterfront. The main terminal was at the Toronto Bus Terminal
on Elizabeth Street, downtown. A secondary terminal for parcel service was operated at the corner of Front St. and Sherbourne St.
Gray Coach was contracted to operate GO Transit
bus service when the latter was inaugurated in 1971. Eventually some Gray Coach routes were incorporated to operate under GO Transit, including the routes to Hamilton, Oshawa and Port Perry. The contracting of GO Transit bus services ended in 1985, when GO Transit began to fully operate its bus services independently.
By the 1980s, Gray Coach faced fierce competition in inter-urban service in the Greater Toronto Area. In order to strengthen its position, Gray Coach bid to acquire inter-urban operator Trentway-Wagar Ltd. Facing budgetary pressure, the TTC decided to focus on its basic urban transit service. The TTC agreed to sell Gray Coach Lines in 1990 to British carrier Stagecoach Holdings Ltd
. Stagecoach sold it to Greyhound Lines of Canada
and Ontario Northland Motor Coach Services
in 1993.
Gray Coach's Gray Line
franchised tour operations were taken over by Greyhound Lines of Canada
.
Livery of early buses were gray with the red crest with the words Gray Coach Lines. The crest disappeared and replaced with the full wording with blue strip. The final buses had a white base with black letters GC. Red strip was found on sightseeing buses.
. It was transferred to Gray Coach circa 1930. As of January 1, 1954 it was included in the new Metropolitan Toronto
operation, and Gray Coaches were replaced by “red” city buses.
for York Township
, it was transferred to Gray Coach circa 1930. As of January 1, 1954 it was included in the new Metropolitan Toronto
operation, and Gray Coaches were replaced by “red” city buses.
bought out Roseland Bus Lines. From Lawrence & Weston via Weston Road, Albion Road, Thistletown, Woodbridge Road, Highway 7, 8th Avenue and Pine Street to Pine Grove Road, Woodbridge, with Sunday trips operating through the Thistletown
Hospital grounds. Transferred to the TTC in December 1955.
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
line based in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, from 1927 to 1991.
Overview and history
Gray Coach Lines was a suburban bus operator founded in 1927 by the Toronto Transportation CommissionToronto Transportation Commission
Before 1954, the Toronto Transit Commission was called the Toronto Transportation Commission.-History:Toronto's first public transportation company was the Williams Omnibus Bus Line and owned by undertaker Burt Williams. The franchise carried passengers in horse-drawn stagecoaches along Yonge...
. From 1927 to the 1930s, Gray Coach acquired numerous and smaller competitors in the Greater Toronto Area
Greater Toronto Area
The Greater Toronto Area is the largest metropolitan area in Canada, with a 2006 census population of 5.5 million. The Greater Toronto Area is usually defined as the central city of Toronto, along with four regional municipalities surrounding it: Durham, Halton, Peel, and York...
. The operator eventually dominated inter-urban bus service by the end of the 1930s. Gray Coach used inter-urban coaches to link Toronto to outlying areas throughout Southern Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, such as Owen Sound, London, Kitchener, Guelph, Niagara Falls, Sudbury, North Bay, Barrie and Hamilton. Gray Coach also offered service to Buffalo, and in a pooling agreement with Greyhound, to New York City. In addition, Gray Coach operated sightseeing tour service in and around Toronto, eventually in association with Gray Line
Gray Line Worldwide
Gray Line Worldwide operates local sightseeing tours across the world using trolley coaches, double-deckers and standard single deck coaches. It also offers charter services, airport transfers and convention services....
tours. The Gray Coach Lines also provided one-hour Motor Launch Tours of the lagoons off Toronto's harbour and of the waterfront. The main terminal was at the Toronto Bus Terminal
Toronto Bus Terminal
The Toronto Coach Terminal is the main bus station for inter-city services in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located at 610 Bay Street, , in the downtown core of the city. The terminal is owned by Toronto Coach Terminal Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of the Toronto Transit Commission...
on Elizabeth Street, downtown. A secondary terminal for parcel service was operated at the corner of Front St. and Sherbourne St.
Gray Coach was contracted to operate GO Transit
GO Transit
GO Transit is an inter-regional public transit system in Southern Ontario, Canada. It primarily serves the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area conurbation, with operations extending to several communities beyond the GTHA proper in the Greater Golden Horseshoe...
bus service when the latter was inaugurated in 1971. Eventually some Gray Coach routes were incorporated to operate under GO Transit, including the routes to Hamilton, Oshawa and Port Perry. The contracting of GO Transit bus services ended in 1985, when GO Transit began to fully operate its bus services independently.
By the 1980s, Gray Coach faced fierce competition in inter-urban service in the Greater Toronto Area. In order to strengthen its position, Gray Coach bid to acquire inter-urban operator Trentway-Wagar Ltd. Facing budgetary pressure, the TTC decided to focus on its basic urban transit service. The TTC agreed to sell Gray Coach Lines in 1990 to British carrier Stagecoach Holdings Ltd
Stagecoach Group
Stagecoach Group plc is an international transport group operating buses, trains, trams, express coaches and ferries. The group was founded in 1980 by the current chairman, Sir Brian Souter, his sister, Ann Gloag, and her former husband Robin...
. Stagecoach sold it to Greyhound Lines of Canada
Greyhound Lines of Canada
Greyhound Canada is the prominent operator of inter-city coach services in Canada. Greyhound Canada is a subsidiary of Scotland's FirstGroup plc, linked with Dallas-based Greyhound Lines .-History:In 1929, Greyhound Canada was founded as Canadian Greyhound Coaches, Limited, operating in Alberta...
and Ontario Northland Motor Coach Services
Ontario Northland Motor Coach Services
Ontario Northland Motor Coach Services is a bus service operating in Ontario by the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission.Ontario Northland Motor Coach Services operates inter-city bus and parcel service between Toronto and locations in Central and Northern Ontario.There are two scheduled...
in 1993.
Gray Coach's Gray Line
Gray Line Worldwide
Gray Line Worldwide operates local sightseeing tours across the world using trolley coaches, double-deckers and standard single deck coaches. It also offers charter services, airport transfers and convention services....
franchised tour operations were taken over by Greyhound Lines of Canada
Greyhound Lines of Canada
Greyhound Canada is the prominent operator of inter-city coach services in Canada. Greyhound Canada is a subsidiary of Scotland's FirstGroup plc, linked with Dallas-based Greyhound Lines .-History:In 1929, Greyhound Canada was founded as Canadian Greyhound Coaches, Limited, operating in Alberta...
.
Roster
Historic and current buses used by the Gray Coach:| Make/Model | Description | Fleet size | Year acquired | Year retired | Notes | |
| AEC AEC (Associated Equipment Company) AEC was a United Kingdom based vehicle manufacturer which built buses, motorcoaches and lorries from 1912 until 1979. The acronym stood for the Associated Equipment Company, but this name was hardly ever used; instead it traded under the AEC and ACLO brands.While famously associated with London's... /CCC Ranger Coach |
highway coach | 4 | 1932–1934 | |||
| Flxible Flxible The Flxible Co. was a motorcycle sidecar, funeral car, ambulance, intercity coach and transit bus manufacturing company based in the United States that was founded in 1913, and which closed in 1996.-History:In 1913, Hugo H. Young and Carl F... Clippers |
highway coach | acquired by Independent Bus Lines | ||||
| General Motors Diesel Division Buses SDH-5302 | glass-roof sightseeing bus | for operation as Gray Line Worldwide franchisee | ||||
| Motor Coach Industries Motor Coach Industries Motor Coach Industries International Inc. is an American bus manufacturer based in Schaumburg, Illinois, and is a leading participant in the North American coach bus industry. It has various operating subsidiaries:... MC-9 |
highway coach | |||||
| Motor Coach Industries Motor Coach Industries Motor Coach Industries International Inc. is an American bus manufacturer based in Schaumburg, Illinois, and is a leading participant in the North American coach bus industry. It has various operating subsidiaries:... MC-5B |
highway coach | |||||
| Motor Coach Industries Motor Coach Industries Motor Coach Industries International Inc. is an American bus manufacturer based in Schaumburg, Illinois, and is a leading participant in the North American coach bus industry. It has various operating subsidiaries:... 102A3 |
highway coach | |||||
| General Motors Highway Parlour Coach | highway coach | |||||
| Flyer Industries D901SS | suburban bus | 1981 | used for Gray Line tours; 1 later transferred to TTC | |||
| Yellow Coach 743 | coach |
Livery of early buses were gray with the red crest with the words Gray Coach Lines. The crest disappeared and replaced with the full wording with blue strip. The final buses had a white base with black letters GC. Red strip was found on sightseeing buses.
Stops
GCL operated at various locations across the city of Toronto:| Terminal/Stop | Location | Notes |
| (Metro) Toronto Bus Terminal Toronto Bus Terminal The Toronto Coach Terminal is the main bus station for inter-city services in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located at 610 Bay Street, , in the downtown core of the city. The terminal is owned by Toronto Coach Terminal Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of the Toronto Transit Commission... |
Dundas Street Dundas Street (Toronto) Dundas Street, also known as Highway 5 west of Toronto, is a major arterial road connecting the centre of that city with its western suburbs and southwestern Ontario beyond... West and Elizabeth Street Elizabeth Street Elizabeth Street can refer to:* Elizabeth Street, Brisbane, Australia* Elizabeth Street, Hobart, Australia* Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, Australia* Elizabeth Street, Sydney, Australia* Elizabeth Street School, Worcester, Massachusetts... |
Now used by Greyhound Canada, Coach Canada Coach Canada Coach Canada is the Canadian affiliate of Coach USA, and part of the North American operations of Stagecoach, the international transport group, with its headquarters in Perth, Scotland, UK.... and other bus operators - terminal owned by the TTC |
| Toronto Pearson International Airport Toronto Pearson International Airport Toronto Pearson International Airport is an international airport serving Toronto, Ontario, Canada; its metropolitan area; and the Golden Horseshoe, an urban agglomeration that is home to 8.1 million people – approximately 25% of Canada's population... |
Terminal 1 (former) and 2 - Arrival and Departure levels | Served by TTC and other private charters at Terminal 1 (new) and 3; formerly served terminal 2 |
| Downtown hotels | N/A | Now served by Pacific Western Bus Line's Airport Express Aeroport |
| Islington subway station Islington (TTC) Islington is a station on the Bloor–Danforth line of the subway system in Toronto, Canada. It is located at 3286 Bloor Street West at Islington Avenue. A central platform serves trains running in both directions.... |
Islington Avenue and Bloor Street West | No longer in use; TTC Airport Rocket Route 192 operating out of Kipling Station |
| Yorkdale Bus Terminal | Yorkdale Shopping Centre Yorkdale Shopping Centre Yorkdale Shopping Centre is a large shopping mall in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It contains over 250 stores and is located in the community of Downsview, in North York. It is the fifth largest shopping mall in Canada and also enjoys the highest sales per square foot of any mall in Canada, with... |
Now used by Greyhound Greyhound The Greyhound is a breed of sighthound that has been primarily bred for coursing game and racing, and the breed has also recently seen a resurgence in its popularity as a pedigree show dog and family pet. It is a gentle and intelligent breed... , GO Transit GO Transit GO Transit is an inter-regional public transit system in Southern Ontario, Canada. It primarily serves the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area conurbation, with operations extending to several communities beyond the GTHA proper in the Greater Golden Horseshoe... and Ontario Northland Motor Coach Services Ontario Northland Motor Coach Services Ontario Northland Motor Coach Services is a bus service operating in Ontario by the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission.Ontario Northland Motor Coach Services operates inter-city bus and parcel service between Toronto and locations in Central and Northern Ontario.There are two scheduled... |
| York Mills subway station York Mills (TTC) York Mills is a station on the Yonge–University–Spadina line of the subway system in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located at 4015 Yonge Street at Wilson Avenue/York Mills Road... |
York Mills Road York Mills Road York Mills Road is an east-west route in Toronto, Ontario, Canada named for the community of York Mills or Hoggs Hollow. "York" refers to York Township and "Mills" refers to the gristmill and sawmills in the Don River valley during 1804–1926. It is the former 10th concession road.York Mills runs... and Yonge Street Yonge Street Yonge Street is a major arterial route connecting the shores of Lake Ontario in Toronto to Lake Simcoe, a gateway to the Upper Great Lakes. It was formerly listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest street in the world at , and the construction of Yonge Street is designated an "Event of... - old bus platforms |
terminal demolished and now served as GO Transit terminal within York Mills Centre York Mills Centre York Mills Centre is a four-phase commercial complex at Yonge Street and York Mills Road in Toronto, Ontario. It is connected to urban and regional transit through the York Mills TTC station and York Mills Bus Terminal of GO Transit.... |
| Jane Loop | Jane Street and Bloor Street Bloor Street Bloor Street is a major east–west residential and commercial thoroughfare in Toronto, in the Canadian province of Ontario. Bloor Street runs from the Prince Edward Viaduct westward into Mississauga, where it ends at Central Parkway. East of the viaduct, Danforth Avenue continues along the same... West |
Demolished, office building stands on site |
| North Yonge Terminal | Glen Echo Road and Yonge Street Yonge Street Yonge Street is a major arterial route connecting the shores of Lake Ontario in Toronto to Lake Simcoe, a gateway to the Upper Great Lakes. It was formerly listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest street in the world at , and the construction of Yonge Street is designated an "Event of... |
abandoned upon opening of York Mills York Mills York Mills is the name of an affluent neighbourhood around Yonge Street and York Mills Road located in the district of North York in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.... , now a Loblaws Loblaws Loblaws is a supermarket chain with over 70 stores in Canada, headquartered in Brampton, with stores across Ontario and Quebec. Loblaws is a division of Loblaw Companies Limited, Canada's largest food distributor... supermarket |
| Finch Bus Terminal | Yonge Street Yonge Street Yonge Street is a major arterial route connecting the shores of Lake Ontario in Toronto to Lake Simcoe, a gateway to the Upper Great Lakes. It was formerly listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest street in the world at , and the construction of Yonge Street is designated an "Event of... and Bishop Avenue |
Now serving GO Transit, Viva, York Region Transit and Brampton Transit; private charters |
| Sunnyside Bus Terminal | Queen Street West Queen Street West Queen Street West describes both the western branch of Queen Street, a major east-west thoroughfare, and a series of neighbourhoods or commercial districts, situated west of Yonge Street in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Queen Street begins in the west at the intersection of King Street, The... , Roncesvalles Avenue Roncesvalles Avenue Roncesvalles Avenue is a north-south arterial street in Toronto, Canada. It connects Queen Street West, King Street West and runs north to Dundas Street West. Roncesvalles Avenue takes its name from the Battle of Roncesvalles, which took place in the Roncesvalles gorge in Spain in 1813... , King Street West, and The Queensway The Queensway The Queensway/Queensway Avenue is a major street in the municipalities of Toronto and Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. It is the western extension of Queen Street, after it merges with King Street near Roncesvalles Avenue in Toronto... |
West Toronto (Roncesvalles) Pick-up and drop off location at corner of Roncesvalles Carhouse, now a McDonald's McDonald's McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948... |
City routes
Gray Coach once operated a number of suburban and extra-fare express routes in Toronto.Beach Coach
Operated from 1947 to 1952 between downtown and the Beaches via Eastern Avenue and Queen Street East.Hill Coach
The first city coach route started running in 1925, between Forest Hill and downtown via Forest Hill Road, Poplar Plains Road, Dupont Street, St. George Street, University Avenue, Osgoode and Albert Streets. In 1931 it was extended north to Glenview Avenue (later Otter Loop). Service was withdrawn in September 1954 due to opening of the new Yonge subway.Islington
In April 1929 Gray Coach Lines acquired Maple Leaf Coach Lines. MCL's ISLINGTON route (via Dundas Street from Runnymede Road to Bloor Street in the town of Islington—now Six Points) was combined with the LAMBTON route and transferred to the TTCToronto Transportation Commission
Before 1954, the Toronto Transit Commission was called the Toronto Transportation Commission.-History:Toronto's first public transportation company was the Williams Omnibus Bus Line and owned by undertaker Burt Williams. The franchise carried passengers in horse-drawn stagecoaches along Yonge...
. It was transferred to Gray Coach circa 1930. As of January 1, 1954 it was included in the new Metropolitan Toronto
Metropolitan Toronto
The Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto was a senior level of municipal government in the Toronto, Ontario, Canada area from 1954 to 1998. It was created out of York County and was a precursor to the later concept of a regional municipality, being formed of smaller municipalities but having more...
operation, and Gray Coaches were replaced by “red” city buses.
Kingsway Coach
Inaugurated in November 1945 between Bloor Street & Royal York Road and downtown via (South) Kingsway, Lake Shore Drive, Dowling Avenue and King Street, with an early and late extension to Burnhamthorpe & Holloway Roads via Bloor, Islington and Canning. Withdrawn in April 1946 after only five months of (presumably unsuccessful) operation.Lambton
From Keele Street to Humber (Lambton Hotel) along Dundas Street. Operated initially by the TTCToronto Transportation Commission
Before 1954, the Toronto Transit Commission was called the Toronto Transportation Commission.-History:Toronto's first public transportation company was the Williams Omnibus Bus Line and owned by undertaker Burt Williams. The franchise carried passengers in horse-drawn stagecoaches along Yonge...
for York Township
York, Ontario
York is a dissolved municipality in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it is located northwest of Old Toronto, southwest of North York and east of Etobicoke, where it is bounded by the Humber River. Formerly a separate city, it was one of six municipalities that amalgamated in 1998 to form...
, it was transferred to Gray Coach circa 1930. As of January 1, 1954 it was included in the new Metropolitan Toronto
Metropolitan Toronto
The Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto was a senior level of municipal government in the Toronto, Ontario, Canada area from 1954 to 1998. It was created out of York County and was a precursor to the later concept of a regional municipality, being formed of smaller municipalities but having more...
operation, and Gray Coaches were replaced by “red” city buses.
Leaside
From May 1, 1953 to January 1, 1954 the LEASIDE bus was operated by Gray Coach Lines.Rosedale Coach
The ROSEDALE coach ran for just under two years (November 1928 to September 1930) between Summerhill & MacLennan Avenues and downtown via Glen Road, Sherbourne Street, Isabella Street, Jarvis Street and Shuter Street to Yonge Street.Woodbridge
Gray Coach acquired the WOODBRIDGE route when the TTCToronto Transit Commission
-Island Ferry:The ferry service to the Toronto Islands was operated by the TTC from 1927 until 1962, when it was transferred to the Metro Parks and Culture department. Since 1998, the ferry service is run by Toronto Parks and Recreation.-Gray Coach:...
bought out Roseland Bus Lines. From Lawrence & Weston via Weston Road, Albion Road, Thistletown, Woodbridge Road, Highway 7, 8th Avenue and Pine Street to Pine Grove Road, Woodbridge, with Sunday trips operating through the Thistletown
Thistletown
Thistletown is a culturally diverse neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Thistletown is also a part of the Rexdale community in the northern part of Etobicoke. It consists of the area surrounding the intersection of Albion Road and Islington Avenue in the former City of Etobicoke...
Hospital grounds. Transferred to the TTC in December 1955.
Other Interurban Operators
A list of independent operators acquired by Gray Coach:- Danforth Bus Lines - East YorkEast YorkEast York can refer to:*East York, Pennsylvania, United States*East York, Ontario, Canada...
- Hollinger Bus Lines - East YorkEast YorkEast York can refer to:*East York, Pennsylvania, United States*East York, Ontario, Canada...
- Roseland Bus Lines - Weston, Ontario
- West York Coach Lines - York, OntarioYork, OntarioYork is a dissolved municipality in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it is located northwest of Old Toronto, southwest of North York and east of Etobicoke, where it is bounded by the Humber River. Formerly a separate city, it was one of six municipalities that amalgamated in 1998 to form...
- Maple Leaf Coach Lines - Islington, Ontario
See also
- Toronto Transportation CommissionToronto Transportation CommissionBefore 1954, the Toronto Transit Commission was called the Toronto Transportation Commission.-History:Toronto's first public transportation company was the Williams Omnibus Bus Line and owned by undertaker Burt Williams. The franchise carried passengers in horse-drawn stagecoaches along Yonge...
- Toronto Transit CommissionToronto Transit Commission-Island Ferry:The ferry service to the Toronto Islands was operated by the TTC from 1927 until 1962, when it was transferred to the Metro Parks and Culture department. Since 1998, the ferry service is run by Toronto Parks and Recreation.-Gray Coach:...
- Greyhound Lines of CanadaGreyhound Lines of CanadaGreyhound Canada is the prominent operator of inter-city coach services in Canada. Greyhound Canada is a subsidiary of Scotland's FirstGroup plc, linked with Dallas-based Greyhound Lines .-History:In 1929, Greyhound Canada was founded as Canadian Greyhound Coaches, Limited, operating in Alberta...
- took over Gray Coach routes - Gray Line WorldwideGray Line WorldwideGray Line Worldwide operates local sightseeing tours across the world using trolley coaches, double-deckers and standard single deck coaches. It also offers charter services, airport transfers and convention services....
- US Tour operator - Ontario Northland Motor Coach ServicesOntario Northland Motor Coach ServicesOntario Northland Motor Coach Services is a bus service operating in Ontario by the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission.Ontario Northland Motor Coach Services operates inter-city bus and parcel service between Toronto and locations in Central and Northern Ontario.There are two scheduled...
- Stagecoach GroupStagecoach GroupStagecoach Group plc is an international transport group operating buses, trains, trams, express coaches and ferries. The group was founded in 1980 by the current chairman, Sir Brian Souter, his sister, Ann Gloag, and her former husband Robin...
- Toronto Airport ExpressToronto Airport ExpressToronto Airport Express is operated by Pacific Western Transportation. It was established in 1993, from the demise of Gray Coach who were contracted to establish a service between the downtown core of Toronto and Lester B Pearson International Airport. The service operates 20 hours a day, 7 days a...
- continued service to Pearson after demised of Gray Coach
External links
- Gray Coach Lines roster - all-time fleet list
- Gray Coach Lines bus drawings