With more people riding transit than ever in Waterloo Region, Grand River Transit (GRT) is proposing to add over 50,000 hours of new service to address increasing ridership numbers.
The increase will help improve transit service, expand service to Elmira and Breslau and will add an extra MobilityPLUS vehicle, the region says in a press release.
GRT is asking customers and residents to weigh in on the proposal through an online survey, a virtual information session and in-person sessions at transit locations across the region. Residents can also submit feedback on fares and advertising on GRT buses and ION trains.
In total, more than 53,000 hours of additional service are proposed. This will help address current customer demand and better reflect current travel times and traffic patterns. The proposal also includes schedule and frequency adjustments on some bus routes, as well as frequency adjustments on ION light rail.
A 2.59 per cent increase to fares is included in the proposal, as well as a new group pass, and an increase of transfer times from 90 to 120 minutes.
GRT is also looking for feedback on its advertising policy. A proposal includes increasing the number of buses that can be fully wrapped and exploring interior and exterior advertising options for ION trains.
“Transit is at the core of ensuring Waterloo Region continues to grow with care,” said regional councillor Colleen James, chair of the Region of Waterloo’s planning and works committee.
“As we look ahead to 2024, there’s a lot to be excited about for transit in Waterloo Region, including more service for our customers. GRT’s proposal on how to tackle growing ridership looks to balance the needs of community with the increasing cost of operating transit, creating a roadmap for the years to come.”
The online survey and more information about the virtual information and in-person sessions is available at grt.ca/2024.
All feedback will be made available to regional council as part of the 2024 budget process and the proposal is subject to council approval.
