About us

Grand River Transit (GRT) provides public transit service across the Waterloo Region. The network includes conventional bus service, ION light rail, express routes, and flexible transit, and door-to-door service for riders with disabilities.

Rapid transit

GRT's service expanded with the construction of a rapid transit network consisting of ION light rail and ION bus rapid transit. ION light rail started in June 2019 and runs between Conestoga Station in Waterloo and Fairway Station in Kitchener.

ION bus rapid transit service began in September 2015, covering 17 kilometres between the Fairway Station and Ainslie Street Terminal in Cambridge.

Facts and figures

Transit service in Waterloo Region dates back to 1888, when horse-drawn streetcars were operated by the Berlin and Waterloo Street Railway Company. 

Grand River Transit was formed by the Region of Waterloo in 2000, taking over operations of Kitchener Transit and Cambridge Transit. Today, GRT operates more than 50 routes and covers over 17 million kilometres every year. 

GRT's fleet consists of more than 300 buses, 15 light rail vehicles and 35 specialized MobilityPLUS vehicles. We have more than 2,300 stops across the region and over 700 shelters.

Fleet

Grand River Transit operates a fleet of diesel, hybrid electric, and battery-electric buses, with a long-term goal of transitioning to zero-emission vehicles.

In 2024, GRT buses prevented an estimated 9,500 tonnes of auto-based greenhouse gas emissions.