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What are low floor buses?
GRT's conventional transit fleet includes many low floor buses. Low floor buses are equipped with a ramp rather than steps, making boarding and exiting the bus possible for people using assistive devices such as wheelchairs, walkers and scooters. Each low floor bus is designed to carry one or two people using a wheelchair or scooter.
Conventional transit offers flexibility for some MobilityPLUS customers as rides are available more frequently and customers can travel with family and friends. Permanent registrants may take complimentary conventional transit trips with their MobilityPLUS photo ID card.
Designated low floor routes
These routes have been designated low floor routes and usually have low floor buses serving them:
- Route 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 35, 51, 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65 and the iXpress
Check the pocket schedule for low floor runs on these routes:
Planning your trip
Customers who choose to use low floor buses must be able to get on and off the bus safely and independently. If you require assistance to board the bus safely, please ask a companion to travel with you. The companion will be expected to pay the current GRT fare. Customers who consistently have significant difficulty getting on or off the bus may be requested to attend a bus training session.
Customers are encouraged to travel on conventional transit during off-peak times:
- Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and between 6 p.m. and 12 a.m.
- weekends
GRT Information Line
If you have questions about the time buses run, which connections you may need or if a route is designated as a low floor bus route, call the GRT customer service centre at 519-585-7555.
- Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Transit Route Map
For a nominal fee you may purchase a printed map of the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo showing all the bus routes, each indicated in a different colour.
Pocket schedules
The front cover of the pocket schedule shows the route name and number. Inside is a map and a complete timetable for that route. Low floor routes are indicated with the international accessibilty symbol. They are available at the Charles and Ainslie St. Transit Terminals.
EasyGO
Use EasyGO next bus call and EasyGO text messaging to get the scheduled arrival times of buses at any stop, any time of day.
EasyGO call: 519-585-7555 plus the four digit number located at the stop.
EasyGO text messaging:
Text 57555 plus the four digit EasyGO stop number in the text of the message. EasyGO will text back the next 3 scheduled times the bus will be at the stop.
Getting on your bus
If you need to use the ramp, position yourself 1.5 meters (five feet) away from the bus to allow adequate clearance. After the other customers have boarded, enter the bus and show the operator your MobilityPLUS photo ID card. Proceed to the designated area behind the operator, ensuring your wheelchair or scooter is facing the rear of the bus.
Here are some tips to get on and off the bus successfully:
- Turn the speed on your power wheelchair to low.
- Take the time to center your chair on the ramp. Some ramps have yellow lines on the sides or the centre that can assist in this.
- Do not carry heavy or bulky packages on your chair in such a manner that would create a hazard, for example a heavy bag hanging off the handlebars may unbalance the chair when it is on the ramp.
- Take the time you need to board safely - please do not feel hurried by other customers.
Paying your fare
Your MobilityPLUS photo ID card is your bus pass. Show this card to the operator when you board the bus. It provides you with unlimited transit on all GRT fixed route service.
Getting off your bus
Use the stop request feature (pull cord or push button) to inform the operator that you want off at the next stop. If unable to access this feature, communicate your destination to your operator when boarding.
From dusk until the end of the evening service, customers may exit at locations other than designated bus stops for safety reasons. This request must be made well in advance of the requested stop. The operator will stop the bus at a safe location and the customer must exit via the front doors.
Travel considerations
Due to mechanical breakdowns or during rush hours, buses which are not low floor may be put into service. This may result in a minor disruption of regularly scheduled service. If a bus is full or already carrying two customers using a wheelchair or scooter, anyone else using a wheelchair or scooter will not be able to board. In extreme cold weather conditions, the bus kneeling feature and ramp may be unavailable. In these situations, the operator will advise GRT Dispatch by radio and stop to inform you of your travel options.
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