The 72 Pape bus route operates between Pape Station on the Bloor-Danforth Subway and Union Station on the Yonge-University-Spadina Subway, generally in a north-south direction. The route provides service to the Pape Avenue/Carlaw Avenue area, the Portlands area, Cherry Beach, the Distillery District, and the Esplanade. Accessible service is provided on the route. Bike racks are available on this route. Union Station is an accessible subway station.

Three services are operated. The 72 (Pape Stn-Eastern) is the main branch, and operates at all times, seven days a week. The 72A (Pape Stn-Union Stn) extended branch operates during the peak periods and midday from Monday to Friday from mid-May to late June; during the morning peak from late June to Labour Day; and at all times except the evenings on Sundays and holidays from Labour Day to mid-May. The 72B (Pape Stn-Union Stn via Cherry Beach) extended seasonal branch operates during the evenings from Monday to Friday and during the daytime and evenings on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, from mid-May to late June; and at all times except the morning peak period from late June to Labour Day.

Southbound 72 TO EASTERN

These buses operate from Pape Station via south on Pape Avenue, west on Riverdale Avenue, south on Carlaw Avenue, east on Queen Street East, and south on Pape Avenue to Eastern Avenue.

Northbound 72 TO PAPE STN

These buses operate from Pape Avenue and Eastern Avenue via west on Eastern Avenue, north on Carlaw Avenue, east on Riverdale Avenue, north on Pape Avenue, and east on Lipton Avenue to Pape Station.

Southbound 72A TO UNION STN VIA COMMISSIONERS

These buses operate from Pape Station via south on Pape Avenue, west on Riverdale Avenue, south on Carlaw Avenue, west on Commissioners Street, north on Cherry Street, west on Mill Street, north on Parliament Street, west on Front Street East, south on Berkeley Street, west on The Esplanade, north on Yonge Street, west on Wellington Street West, and south on Bay Street to Front Street West.

Northbound 72A TO PAPE STN VIA COMMISSIONERS

These buses operate from Bay Street and Front Street West via east on Front Street West, south on Scott Street, east on The Esplanade, north on Berkeley Street, east on Front Street East, south on Parliament Street, east on Mill Street, south on Cherry Street, east on Commissioners Street, north on Carlaw Avenue, east on Riverdale Avenue, north on Pape Avenue, and east on Lipton Avenue to Pape Station.

Southbound 72B TO UNION STN VIA COMMISSIONERS AND CHERRY

These buses operate from Pape Station via south on Pape Avenue, west on Riverdale Avenue, south on Carlaw Avenue, west on Commissioners Street, south on Cherry Street to Clarke Beach Park (Cherry Brach), north on Cherry Street, west on Mill Street, north on Parliament Street, west on Front Street East, south on Berkeley Street, west on The Esplanade, north on Yonge Street, west on Wellington Street West, and south on Bay Street to Front Street West.

Northbound 72B TO PAPE STN VIA COMMISSIONERS AND CHERRY

These buses operate from Bay Street and Front Street West via east on Front Street West, south on Scott Street, east on The Esplanade, north on Berkeley Street, east on Front Street East, south on Parliament Street, east on Mill Street, south on Cherry Street to Clarke Beach Park (Cherry Brach), north on Cherry Street, east on Commissioners Street, north on Carlaw Avenue, east on Riverdale Avenue, north on Pape Avenue, and east on Lipton Avenue to Pape Station.

All buses on the route serve local bus stops along the route.