Commuting to UTSC and Centennial College: Walking Routes, Transit Connections, and Scarborough Student Living

Navigating post-secondary life in East Scarborough presents unique transit and housing dynamics for thousands of students. Attending a Scarborough university or college campus often involves managing multi-agency transit networks across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). For students seeking housing near University of Toronto and Centennial College, understanding the local transportation grid and pedestrian pathways is critical to optimizing university living.

As of late 2026, the shift toward purpose-built accommodations located steps from lecture halls is drastically changing how students approach their daily schedules, allowing them to bypass lengthy transit commutes in favour of a pedestrian-first lifestyle.

What is the Commuting Reality for Scarborough Students?

Post-secondary students in the GTA experience some of the most demanding commutes in North America. According to regional findings from the StudentMoveTO initiative, the average one-way commute for a student across all GTHA campuses is 45.9 to 47.6 minutes. For suburban commuters in the outer ring, travel times regularly exceed 60 to 90 minutes each way.

These long travel times have a direct and measurable impact on academic success and campus engagement:

• Campus Life Restrictions: 60% of students report that their daily commute restricts their participation in extracurricular activities, group projects, and campus social life.

• Academic Constraints: 50% of surveyed students indicated that transit duration and commute difficulty dictate their course selections and scheduling.

• Transit Dependency: Between 60% and 62% of GTHA post-secondary students rely primarily on public transit to travel to and from campus.

In a dedicated study on eastern GTA travel titled UTSC Commuting Patterns & Transit Reliability, researchers from the University of Toronto identified that East Scarborough commuters face heightened transfer penalties. Because the region relies heavily on high-frequency arterial bus corridors rather than continuous subway infrastructure, transfer delays along major roads like Ellesmere and Military Trail can compound daily travel stress.

How to Walk to UTSC and Centennial College

Living within immediate walking proximity to campus eliminates transfer delays, bus bunching, and winter weather transit vulnerabilities. The intersection of Ellesmere Road and Military Trail serves as the primary pedestrian gateway, offering secure pathways directly into the heart of both institutions.

For students residing at 3070 Ellesmere Road, central academic facilities are accessible within a highly predictable timeframe.

Walking to UTSC Academic Hubs

From the Ellesmere and Military Trail intersection, students can reach essential campus buildings within a 3- to 8-minute walk:

• North Campus Complex (3–5 minute walk): Students have immediate access to the Instructional Centre (IC), the Sam Ibrahim Building (IA), and the Environmental Science and Chemistry Building (EV). The world-class Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre (TPASC) is also easily accessible via Pan Am Drive.

• South Campus Core (5–8 minute walk): Utilizing pedestrian crossings along Military Trail and the inner Tsi Yonnenyakéhtó:Ten corridor, students can swiftly reach Highland Hall (HL), the Student Centre (SL), the Bladen Wing (BV), and the Academic Resource Centre (ARC).

Walking to Centennial College (Morningside Campus)

Centennial College’s Morningside Campus, located at 755 Morningside Avenue, houses the School of Community and Health Studies. From 3070 Ellesmere Road, students can expect a direct 5- to 8-minute westbound walk along secure, well-lit sidewalks.

Navigating the Scarborough Transit Grid

When trips beyond walking distance are required—such as traveling to downtown Toronto or exploring the GTA—the Ellesmere and Military Trail corridor provides comprehensive multi-agency connectivity.

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Connections

According to the TTC Service Summary, key surface routes operating through the UTSC bus terminal and surrounding corridors include:

• TTC Route 905 Eglinton East Express: Delivers rapid service connecting UTSC directly to Kennedy Station (Line 2 and GO Transit).

• TTC Route 995 / 95 York Mills: Connects the Ellesmere corridor westward across North York to York Mills Station (Line 1).

• TTC Route 38 / 938 Highland Creek Express: Runs directly from Scarborough Centre Station through the Ellesmere corridor to Rouge Hill GO Station.

• TTC Route 116 Morningside: Links Centennial College Morningside and UTSC southward to Guildwood GO Station and westward to Kennedy Station.

Regional Transit: DRT and GO Transit

Students commuting across municipal borders benefit from integrated regional networks:

• Durham Region Transit (DRT): The DRT PULSE 900 and Route 920 connect the Ellesmere Road terminus at Centennial Circle to Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Oshawa. Following Durham Region Transit Connecting Transit Policies, Ontario’s One Fare Program provides seamless fare integration between DRT and the TTC.

• GO Transit: GO Route 41 operates from the UTSC Highland Hall Bus Loop, carrying students along the Highway 407 express corridor toward Richmond Hill Centre, Square One, and Hamilton.

How to Commute to Centennial College Progress Campus

Students enrolled at Centennial’s Progress Campus (941 Progress Avenue) have two efficient transit strategies from Ellesmere Road:

1. Direct Express via Markham Road: Take TTC Route 95/905 westbound to Markham Road, then transfer to the TTC 902 Markham Road Express/102. This stops directly inside the Progress Campus (18–22 minutes).

2. Via Scarborough Centre: Take the TTC 38/938 or 95 to Scarborough Town Centre, connecting to the TTC 134 Progress or 913 Progress Express (20–25 minutes).

How Purpose-Built Student Residences in Toronto Are Changing the Commute

The Scarborough post-secondary rental market has historically lacked institutional-quality accommodations, often pushing students into distant housing arrangements. The introduction of high-density, modern student residences in Toronto is directly addressing this gap.

Opening in September 2026, The Els at 3070 Ellesmere Road exemplifies this shift. According to data from Podium Developments, this 26-storey purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) offers 246 fully furnished suites totaling 720 bedrooms. By situating itself within a 3- to 5-minute walk of UTSC, it actively eliminates the daily commute.

The Els operates on an individual by-the-bedroom leasing structure with roommate-matching programs, establishing a highly secure and reliable living arrangement without joint rental liabilities. Beyond proximity to transit and lecture halls, the residence features over 17,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor amenities, including acoustic study cubicles, a multi-zone fitness centre, and a rooftop terrace. Students living at The Els also benefit from modern micro-mobility infrastructure, including on-site EV charging and Bike Share availability.

Comparison: Commuting vs. Walk-to-Campus Living

Replacing a daily bus ride with a walk to campus yields substantial quality-of-life improvements. Here is how traditional off-campus commuting compares to living at a pedestrian-focused residence like 3070 Ellesmere Road:

For students planning their academic year, securing housing near University of Toronto and Centennial College that prioritizes pedestrian access over long-distance transit can recover hundreds of productive hours annually. By shifting the focus from transit schedules to walkability, students can fully integrate into the academic and social fabric of their campus.