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Markham Should Plan a New Subway Line in the Future Too

Markham Should Plan a New Subway Line in the Future Too

As one of the fastest-growing cities in the GTA, Markham has evolved into a major economic and residential hub. With York Region’s 2025 budget highlighting key infrastructure investments and Markham’s real estate market booming despite urban challenges, the conversation around future transit planning must take center stage. Vaughan secured a subway extension, and Richmond Hill is next in line—so why isn’t Markham on the map for a future subway line?                             

Markham’s Growth and the Need for a Subway

Markham’s population and job market have been expanding rapidly, fueled by developments in Downtown Markham, Unionville, and surrounding business districts. The city has become a magnet for technology companies, educational institutions, and new residential communities. However, its transit system has not kept pace with this growth.

Currently, Markham relies heavily on GO Transit, Viva BRT (Bus Rapid Transit), and highways, but with increasing congestion on Highway 7 and demand for better connectivity, a subway line is becoming an inevitable necessity. Unlike Vaughan, which developed Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) as a transit-focused hub to justify its subway extension, Markham’s urban planning has been more decentralized. This, however, is changing as Downtown Markham continues to emerge as a dense, mixed-use hub.

Why Did Vaughan and Richmond Hill Get Subway Extensions First?

Vaughan was successful in securing the Line 1 extension because it strategically developed VMC with high-density residential and commercial projects. Richmond Hill’s Yonge North Subway Extension is justified due to its reliance on Yonge Street’s existing high-transit ridership.

Markham, on the other hand, has focused more on expanding BRT and improving GO Train frequency rather than pushing for a subway. But with rising real estate developments and commuter demand, this approach may no longer be enough. The time to start planning for a Markham subway line is now.

Potential Subway Route for Markham

A future Markham subway line could take several forms:

  1. Extending the Sheppard Subway (Line 4) eastward to Markham, connecting Scarborough to Downtown Markham.

  2. A Yonge Subway branch heading east from Richmond Hill to serve high-growth communities like Unionville and Cornell.

  3. A new subway line along Highway 7 connecting Markham Centre, Unionville, and key employment hubs with Toronto’s core.

Each of these options would improve transit accessibility, reduce traffic congestion, and support Markham’s continued economic expansion.

Making the Case for a Subway

A subway in Markham would bring multiple benefits:

  • Economic Growth: Attracting more businesses and increasing property values around transit corridors.

  • Traffic Relief: Reducing dependence on cars and alleviating congestion on Highway 7, 407, and major arterial roads.

  • Sustainability: Encouraging public transit use to lower carbon emissions.

  • Regional Connectivity: Enhancing access between Markham, Toronto, and other parts of York Region.

The Road Ahead

While York Region’s 2025 budget prioritizes other projects, Markham must start laying the groundwork for a subway now—just as Vaughan did decades ago. This means working with the provincial and federal governments, aligning urban planning efforts with transit-oriented development, and rallying public support to make a subway a reality.

Markham’s growth demands a world-class transit solution. If we want to maintain our economic momentum and improve quality of life, a subway line should be part of the city’s long-term vision. The question is not if Markham will get a subway, but when.

RE/MAX REALTRON Realty Inc. Brokerage
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88 Konrad Crescent, Markham, L3R 8T7

647 877 9311

alanzheng@remax.net

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