York Region Transit Richmond Hill area GO Shuttles

240 Mill Pond GO Shuttle
240 Mill Pond GO Shuttle is a shuttle route operated by YRT in Richmond Hill, ON.

Basic
Route 240 mainly serves Canyon Hill Ave., Laratt Lane, Regent St., and Mill St.

This route serves the Mill Pond community, connecting it to Richmond Hill GO Station.

History
The eariest precursor to this route was Richmond Hill Transit route 1A, which operated along Elgin Mills, Mill, Wright and Dunlop, passing Richmond Hill GO Station. When YRT took over operations, it's rush-hour route 80 operated from Yonge and Bernard along a similar route to 240 to the GO Station. This route only operated during peak periods.

Route 240 officially started operations in 2004, when the major restructuring in Richmond Hill eliminated route 80. It has been operating the same ever since.

In 2007, YRT announced that GO Shuttles would allow passengers to get off before a GO Station in the AM, and on after the station in the PM. This allows people to use them as a regular YRT bus. YRT warns that if the GO train is cancelled, or there are no passengers at the GO station, the run will be cancelled.

Route 240 was declared fully accessible in December 2012.

Vehicles
Route 240 sees a mix of 30ft service provided by E-Z Rider II/BRT/MAX and 40ft service provided by New Flyer D40LF/D40LFR, New Flyer XD40, or occasionally Orion V.

241 Beverly Acres GO Shuttle
241 Beverly Acres GO Shuttle is a shuttle route operated by YRT in Richmond Hill, ON.

Basic
Route 241 mainly serves Neal Dr., Surbisco Ave. and Bayview Ave.

This route serves the Beverly Acres community, connecting it to Richmond Hill GO Station.

History
The earliest precursor to this route was in Richmond Hill Transit route 1C. It operated from Bernard Terminal along Yonge and Crosby, then followed today's route 241. It had full-day service, and the portion south of Elgin Mills also had Saturday service. When YRT inherited operations, it renumbered it to route 81.

Route 241 came into operation in 2004, when a major restructuring around Richmond Hill eliminated route 81. It has been operating along the same route ever since.

In 2007, YRT announced that GO Shuttles would allow passengers to get off before a GO Station in the AM, and on after the station in the PM. This allows people to use them as a regular YRT bus. YRT warns that if the GO train is cancelled, or there are no passengers at the GO station, the run will be cancelled.

The aftermath of the 2011-2012 YRT/Viva strike had a negative effect on ridership on this route, as passengers with access to cars would now rather drive to the nearest GO station.

Route 241 was declared fully accessible in December 2012.

The 2013 Annual Service Plan had the first two morning trips discontinued and the last afternoon trip discontinued.

Vehicles
Route 241 sees a mix of 30ft service provided by E-Z Rider II/BRT/MAX and 40ft service provided by New Flyer D40LF/D40LFR, New Flyer XD40 or occasionally Orion V.

242 North Richvale GO Shuttle
242 North Richvale GO Shuttle is a shuttle route operated by YRT in Richmond Hill, ON.

Basic
Route 242 mainly serves Weldrick Rd., Pemberton Rd., May Ave., and Palmer Ave.

This route serves the North Richvale community, connecting it to Richmond Hill GO Station.

History
The earliest precursor to this route is Richmond Hill Transit route 6. It has a rush-hour extension from it's western loop along May and Palmer to Richmond Hill GO Station. When YRT took over operations, this became route 86B.

Route 242 came into operation in 2004, when a major restructuring in Richmond Hill simplified route 86, eliminating the branches. Route 242 operated along the rush-hour portion only, ending at Hillcrest Mall. It has been operating along the same route ever since.

In 2007, YRT announced that GO Shuttles would allow passengers to get off before a GO Station in the AM, and on after the station in the PM. This allows people to use them as a regular YRT bus. YRT warns that if the GO train is cancelled, or there are no passengers at the GO station, the run will be cancelled.

The aftermath of the 2011-2012 YRT/Viva strike had a negative effect on ridership on this route, as passengers with access to cars would now rather drive to the nearest GO station.

Route 242 was declared fully accessible in December 2012.

The 2013 Annual Service Plan originally had the route discontinued, however this was never implemented due to concerns from connecting GO train passengers.

Vehicles
Route 242 sees a mix of 30ft service provided by E-Z Rider II/BRT/MAX and 40ft service provided by New Flyer D40LF/D40LFR, New Flyer XD40, or occasionally Orion V.

243 Redstone GO Shuttle
243 Redstone GO Shuttle is a shuttle route operated by YRT in Richmond Hill, ON.

Basic
Route 243 mainly serves Redstone Rd. and Farmstead Rd.

This route serves the Redstone community, connecting it to Richmond Hill GO Station.

History
YRT route 86A's eastern loop followed the same route as route 243, which connected to the GO Station. In 2004, YRT had a major restructuring of Richmond Hill area routes, and route 86 became simplified, with the eastern loop broken off into route 243. The Redstone portion also became part of route 83A. It has been operating along the same route ever since.

In 2007, YRT announced that GO Shuttles would allow passengers to get off before a GO Station in the AM, and on after the station in the PM. This allows people to use them as a regular YRT bus. YRT warns that if the GO train is cancelled, or there are no passengers at the GO station, the run will be cancelled.

Route 243 was declared fully accessible in December 2012.

Vehicles
Route 243 is primarily a 40ft route and uses New Flyer D40LF/D40LFR, New Flyer XD40, or occasionally Orion V.