DURHAM
Durham is a region of about 650,000 people (2016) in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario. While its cities and towns developed separately and have their own histories, since the 1980s, the region have been evolving into Toronto’s eastern suburbs as more and more of its residents commute into the bigger city. Durham region has also attracted many new industries and offices because of the lower cost of land. It is also home to one of Ontario’s newest universities, Ontario Tech University.
Bio
The southern portion of the region, on Lake Ontario is primarily suburban in nature, forming the eastern end of the 905 area code belt of suburbs around Toronto. The northern area comprises rural areas and small towns.
Durham Region had over 250 energy, environment and engineering (EN3) related businesses that employed over 11,000 people. Durham Region’s agricultural sector is one of the largest primary goods-producing sectors in the region.
The innovative technology sector is emerging in Durham Region, supported by a Regional Innovation Centre in Oshawa and a technology accelerator in Whitby.
Travel To
- GO Transit, ☏ +1 416-869-3200, toll-free: +1-888-438-6646. GO Transit operates train and bus service from Toronto, and has four train stations and one bus terminal in Durham Region, all with local connections to Durham Region Transit: (updated Feb 2019)
- Oshawa Bus Terminal, 47 Bond St W (at Centre St). GO Transit buses. (updated Feb 2019)
- Oshawa Train Station. GO Transit and Via Rail trains. (updated Feb 2019)
- Whitby GO Station, Brock St S (south of Hwy 401). GO Transit trains and buses. (updated Feb 2019)
- Ajax GO station, 100 Westney Rd S. GO Transit trains and buses. (updated Feb 2019)
- Pickering GO Station, 1322 Bayly St. GO Transit trains. (updated Feb 2019)
Get around the city
Public transportation
- Durham Region Transit (DRT), toll-free: +1-866-247-0055, fax: +1 905-579-1050. Durham Regional Transit accepts the Presto card for fare payment. Adult fare is $3.75 (cash), $3.15 (Presto); senior fare is $2.50 (cash), $2.10 (Presto); 80 cents if transferring from GO Transit. (updated Feb 2019)
Durham Region Transit is the main operator of public transit providing 50 bus routes across the region. The 900 “Pulse” route operates as frequently as every 10 minutes during peak times and operates along Highway 2 from Scarborough to downtown Oshawa. Most other routes run every 30 min, with some busier routes running every 15-20 minutes.
If paying by cash, ask the driver for a transfer to avoid an extra fare when changing DRT buses. If paying by Presto, the transfer info is stored on the card after you tap in. A fare is valid for two hours of travel.
If transferring from GO Transit to DRT to complete a trip, the DRT fare will be free when using a Presto card. Just tap your Presto card on both transit systems to get the free DRT fare. When using a Presto card to transfer from DRT to GO Transit, the DRT fare will be refunded to your card at the end of your trip.
The first digit of the three-digit bus route number indicates the municipality: 1 Pickering, 2 Ajax, 3 Whitby, 4 Oshawa/Courtice, 5 Clarington, 9 Regional routes.
Other
The Uber ride service is available in the region.
Sights
The Home of Lucy Maud Montgomery, in Leaskdale north of Uxbridge, is a must for fans of the famed author of her Anne of Green Gables novels.
Car buffs will want to visit the Canadian Automotive Museum, in Oshawa to see cars ranging from an early 20th-century fire truck to a steam powered car to a 1983 Delorean.
Parkwood National Historic Site is a grand private estate built in Oshawa in 1917 for Canadian automobile businessman Col. Sam McLaughlin. It includes a mansion with several gardens, Art Deco garden pavilions, and ornate ceilings. It is a National Historic Site.
The nuclear generating stations in Pickering and Darlington have public information centres.
Things to do
Uxbridge calls itself the Trail Capital of Canada, with 220 km of trails for Hikers, cyclists, equestrians, and skiers on protected greenspace running through historic villages, mixed forests, streams, wetlands, and meadows.
Uxbridge is home to three ski resorts.
Great Blue Heron Casino on the Mississaugas of Scugog First Nations reserve is a destination for gambling, dining and entertainment.
Safety
Durham is one of the safest regions in Canada, so there should be no safety problems.
Area information provided by wikivoyage.org
Durham Featured Services | Area Directory
Lisa Davenport
Durham Weather
Durham Events
Durham News
- Canada's main stock index rose to a new record high, led by strength in energy, telecom and base metals, while U.S. markets also moved higher.
- More than $700,000 was taken from a Toronto not-for-profit organization in a fraud scheme that has now resulted in an arrest, police say.
- The Ontario government ramping up planning for the controversial Bradford Bypass after selecting a company to start designing the wester section the 16-kilometre highway.
- A plan from Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce to sit down with social media leaders comes as some school boards take the tech giants to court, seeking billions.
- An Ontario man is facing charges in connection with the largest gold heist in Canadian history at Toronto Pearson airport last year, Peel Regional Police say.
- Hashmat Bhatti says his motorcycle was just metres behind his 19-year-old son Ali Hashmat when his Suzuki bike collided with a car near an expressway in late April.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs fired head coach Sheldon Keefe on Thursday following another disappointing playoff exit.
- Police say the training is required annually but confirm the instructions to complete it within a two-month timeframe are due to last week's fatal crash.
- Toronto police said an arrest has been made in the case but officers believe there may be more victims.
- Ontario's electricity system operator says it has secured new power supply from 10 battery storage facilities and three natural gas and biogas facilities.