Northfield Drive maintenance facility update
GRT's new maintenance facility is under construction at the intersection of Northfield Drive and University Ave in Waterloo. When it's complete, the facility will allow us to add articulated and electric vehicles to our fleet.
Electric support vehicle
Meet the newest - and greenest - addition to the GRT fleet! It’s a 2022 Hyundai Kona electric vehicle. This is our first electric support vehicle, and is part of our commitment to eventually convert our entire fleet to zero-emissions vehicles.
- Can travel 415km on a single charge
- Can reach 80% charge in less than an hour
- Will be used by our fare technicians, and to support GRT events.
Our first electric buses will arrive late next year. Learn more about our switch to electric
Indigenous Peoples Day
For Indigenous Peoples Day, we’re spotlighting the public art piece Three Sisters at Block Line Station! It was designed by Haudenosaunee/Anishinaabe artist Lindsey Lickers.
Lickers is originally from Six Nations of the Grand River and the Haldimand Tract, which includes the Region of Waterloo. Her spirit name is Mushkiiki Nibi Kwe, which translates to ‘Medicine Water Woman’.
The piece tells the story of the Three Sisters. The central panel shows the characters of the three sisters and the traditional Indigenous crops of corn, beans and squash.
“This was an area that was traditionally used for farming, and it pays homage to that agricultural history,” Lickers said.
Behind the figures is a swirling, ethereal background that represents the sky world and traditional creation stories. It ties together the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe and the Huron-Wendat peoples, all of whom once settled in this area.
Lickers is a graduate of OCAD University. Her main practice is in drawing, painting, beadwork and leatherwork.
The Three Sisters piece was her first opportunity to work on a large-scale public art piece and to work with fabricators. (The piece was fabricated by Soheil Mosun Limited). Her mentor, Katherine Harvey, has extensive experience working on large-scale installations and guided her through the process.
Her family includes residential and day school survivors and the loss of language and culture that came with those schools. Through her art practice, she sat with elders and healers and participated in ceremonies, reclaiming her own history and culture.
That led her to becoming a ceremonial helper herself, to advocacy and community development and to her current field of social work. Her social work and her art are interconnected and cyclical; in her work, she finds the energy, stories and motivation that inspires her art.
Next time you pass through Block Line Station, take a closer look at Three Sisters and take in the details of the piece!
International Women's Day
Happy International Women's Day! Here are four of the awesome women who are making a difference to transit in the Region of Waterloo:
Kimberly, Supervisor
After 11 years as a school bus driver, Kimberly started working as a Grand River Transit operator in 2014. Looking for a new challenge, she made the transition to supervisor two and a half years ago. As a supervisor, she's the first point of contact for operators when any kind of issue arises, and she relishes the challenge of problem solving. "I try to keep a positive attitude and put myself in their seat."
Raman, Bus Operator
Raman has been a bus operator for a little over two years. Her uncle and brother both work for GO Transit, and she always wanted to drive a bus. For her, the customers are the best part of the job; Route 7 King is her favourite, because it's a busy route. She gets satisfaction from helping people, answering questions, and making a customer's day a little brighter. "I wake up in the morning and I'm always happy coming in to work."
Katie, Keolis Controller
Katie honed her customer service skills working in retail, when she saw that Keolis was hiring controllers to work in their Central Control Facility in 2017. She found it fascinating watching Waterloo Region's light rail system come together. After a stint as a light rail operator that included driving trains during the opening weekend of light rail service, she's back as a controller. She loves being the first point of contact for operators and keeping information flowing across the system. "My coworkers are the best part of the job. I've never worked with such a dedicated group of people."
Amanda, Customer Service Coordinator
Amanda knows GRT's fare system back to front, which is key in her role as the Coordinator of Customer Service. She oversees GRT's customer service experience, including education and training, resolving customer issues, and liaising with community agencies that provide transit to their clients. For her, the best part of the job is dealing with the public and helping the most vulnerable in our community access transit services. "I get to help the people in the community who really need and rely on transit, helping support them to be self-sufficient."
Valentine's Day cards
Looking for the perfect words to say to that special someone on Valentine's Day? Nothing says romance like transit-themed valentines!
