GRT has proposed service changes for 2024. The plan, which includes proposals for bus and train service, fares and advertising, balances the needs of the community with rising costs of transit, and fits the Region of Waterloo’s goal of balancing affordability with delivering essential services.
Public consultation and feedback
Learn more about GRT's budget 2024 proposals by attending the virtual consultation on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 7 - 8:30 p.m. Join the webinar here: https://regionofwaterloo.zoom.us/j/94083074262?pwd=cUpFaGJOV0FidkVYN3oyMTg5U25Edz09
Share your feedback on the budget 2024 proposals by filling out the survey. Survey closes Dec. 1, 2023. Paper survey forms are available at GRT customer service locations, and can be submitted there.
GRT staff will also be available at the following times and locations to give out information, answer questions and hand out survey forms:
Tuesday, Nov. 14
- 12 - 2 p.m., Cambridge Centre Station
- 4 - 6 p.m., Ainslie Street Terminal
Wednesday, Nov. 15
- 12 - 2 p.m., Fairway Station
- 4 - 6 p.m., Frederick Station
Thursday, Nov. 16
- 12 - 2 p.m., University of Waterloo Station
- 4 - 6 p.m., Conestoga Station
Proposed transit service
We are proposing to add 53,000 hours of new service, including:
- 7,000 hours to make adjustments to address overcrowding and changing customer travel patterns.
- 33,000 hours to improve service around Conestoga College Campuses and the community.
- 2,000 hours will support expanded service to Elmira and Breslau.
- Add an additional MobilityPLUS vehicle and driver.
- Small frequency reductions are planned for routes 9, 27, 28 and 30, to reflect increased travel times and improve schedule adherence.
| Route | Description |
|---|---|
|
Route 301 ION |
ION frequency would be increased to eight to 10 minute service from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. year round. |
| Route 201, 203, 8, 12, 61, 57 | Increase weekday evening service. |
|
Route 201, 202, 204, 205 |
Increase summer mid-day service. |
| Route 1 | Increase summer peak service. |
| Route 7 | Increase afternoon peak service. |
| Route 9, 27, 28, 30 | Small reduction in frequency to reflect increased travel times and improve schedule adherence.
|
| Route 16 | Increase mid-day service and add weekday evening service; increase summer peak service. |
| Route 21 | Add later weekday evening and Sunday service. |
| Route 23 | Add Sunday service. |
| Route 72 | Convert flex route to conventional route with expanded hours and adjust routing in fall 2024. |
| Route 79 | Add a second vehicle to increase capacity and a connection to Sportsworld Station. |
| Various routes | 7,000 hours of additional service to address crowding and changing customer travel patterns. |
Fares
The proposed 2024 transit service budget includes an average increase of 2.59%, with increases varying by fare type, effective July 1, 2024.
- Transfer time would increase to 120 minutes, up from 90 minutes .
- The Affordable Transit Program discount would increase to 50 per cent, up from 48 per cent.
- A new Group pass fare product would allow five people of any age to travel together for a discounted price on any day.
- Minimum load requirements would also be removed from EasyGO fare cards, allowing customers to load any amount of stored value.
| Fare product | Current price | Proposed 2024 price (effective July 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Cash fare | $3.75 | $4 |
| Stored value | $2.98 | $3 |
| Stored value (ATP) | $1.55 | $1.50 |
| Monthly pass | $92 | $96 |
| Monthly pass (ATP) | $47.84 | $48 |
| Group pass (new) | -- | $12 |
| Day pass (single only) | $8.50 | $8 |
| Summer pass | $156.40 | $163.20 |
Advertising proposal
GRT is proposing changes to its advertising strategy to help fund transit service improvements.
Conventional buses: Increase the number of conventional buses available to be fully wrapped to 27, up from 5, representing 10 per cent of the fleet. This would bring in additional revenue of $300,000 each year.
ION trains (exterior): Wrap one ION train for approximate revenue of $200,000 per year.
ION trains (interior): Allow for interior train wraps, including walls and ceiling, excluding windows.