What can I bring?

Definition:

• Two-wheeled, pedal-powered (no motor).

Bringing your bicycle on the bus

Please walk/hold on to your bike at bus stops.

Bikes should be carried on the bike rack located on the front of the bus. Children’s bikes that do not fit on the rack may be brought on board if space permits.

Cargo bikes, foldable bikes and other wide/large bicycles partially block aisles/doors and cannot be accommodated on board GRT buses and ION trains. Bike parking is available at most stations and iXpress stops.

Bicycles must not block the aisles. If the bus is full, you will not be permitted to board the bus and will have to wait for the next bus. If you are already on board when the bus fills up, you can remain on the bus until you reach your destination.

Learn how to load your bicycle on the bus bike racks

Bringing your bicycle on the train

• Please walk/hold on to your bike at station platforms
• Board through the train’s double doors.
• Stand with bike in the priority seating area if unoccupied.
• Hold on to your bike at all times with a wheel brake engaged to prevent it from moving or slipping.
• Please note that passengers with bikes must vacate the priority seating area for persons with disabilities
• If you have to move, ensure your bike is not blocking aisles or doors.
• If an arriving train is full, do not board. Please wait for a train with available space.
• Cargo bikes and other wide/large bicycles partially block aisles/doors and cannot be accommodated on board GRT buses and ION trains.

Reminder – don't ride your bicycle at stops and stations, or on buses and trains. This is a hazard for fellow customers and you.

Definition:

• Also known as battery-assisted, pedal-assisted, or pedal-electric bicycles (Pedelec).
• Traditional bicycle with battery-powered electric motor to provide pedal assistance when travelling.
• Battery-assisted pedal bikes still require pedalling/muscle power to move.

Battery-assisted bicycles are permitted on ION trains and buses, but not regular GRT buses.

Visit our cycling page to learn more about e-bikes

• Charging personal vehicles at GRT bus stops and on ION station platforms is not allowed. Charging cords and cables create a tripping hazard for other passengers.
• Gas-powered motorized bikes are not allowed on GRT buses or ION trains

Reminder – don't ride your bicycle at stops and stations, or on buses and trains. This is a hazard for fellow customers and you.

Electric mopeds, electric motorcycles, and other large e-bikes

• Any e-bike that does not look like a traditional bicycle, and/or cannot move with pedals/muscle power alone.

Electric mopeds, and other large e-bikes are not allowed on GRT buses or ION trains.

• Electric mopeds and other large e-bikes are too large for bus bike racks and train floor areas and are likely to inconvenience, obstruct, interfere or jeopardize the safety of other passengers or damage GRT property.
• Charging personal vehicles at GRT bus stops and on ION station platforms is not allowed. Charging cords and cables create a tripping hazard for other passengers.

Reminder – don't ride your e-bike at stops and stations, or on buses and trains. This is a hazard for fellow customers and you.

Scooters (Stand-up kick style, electric and non-electric) 

Definition:

• Personal vehicle with platform for feet and steered with waist-high handlebars
• Can be motorized (electric)

Only folding scooters are allowed on GRT buses and ION trains. If your scooter cannot fold, it is not allowed on GRT buses or ION trains.

• Fold your scooter and hold on to it at all times at stops and on GRT buses.
• Turn off/power down your device before you board.
• Charging personal vehicles at GRT bus stops and on ION station platforms is not allowed. Charging cords and cables create a tripping hazard for other passengers.

Reminder – don't ride your scooter at stops and stations, or on buses and trains. This is a hazard for fellow customers and you.

Skateboards, roller blades, and other personal transportation vehicles (electric and non-electric)

Definition:

• Any small personal vehicle that can be carried. 

If you cannot carry and hold on to your personal transportation vehicle, it is not allowed on GRT buses or ION trains.

• Customers must hold skateboards and other personal transportation vehicles of this nature should be held at all times at bus stops, station platforms and on GRT buses and trains.
• Roller blades, roller skates, or similar items must be removed and carried before entering bus stops and station platforms, and cannot be worn on GRT buses or ION trains. Customers must wear proper footwear like shoes while riding GRT buses and ION trains.
• Turn off / power down your device before you board.
• Charging personal vehicles at GRT bus stops and on ION station platforms is not allowed. Charging cords and cables create a tripping hazard for other passengers.

Reminder – don't ride/use skateboards, roller blades, or other personal vehicles at stops and stations, or on buses and trains. This is a hazard for fellow customers and you.

Mopeds, motor scooters, or any other gas-powered vehicles

Definition:

• Gas-powered, limited or full speed motor vehicles.

Gas-powered motorized vehicles are not allowed on GRT buses, bus stops, ION trains, or station platforms.

Customers should know the dimensions of their stroller before attempting to board the bus. Strollers must be able to fit through the front doors and down the aisles in order to board the bus. For the safety of all customers, the aisles must not be blocked.

Customers with strollers are required to move to the rear of the bus, lock the wheels of the stroller and remain in firm control of it at all times. If possible, strollers are to be folded when standee conditions apply.

Hold on to the stroller at all times to avoid tipping. Position the stroller so passengers can walk freely down the aisle.

Small animals that are kept inside a crate/enclosure are allowed on GRT. These animals are also allowed at various terminal locations if kept inside their enclosures.

Larger dogs or other animals that could pose a threat to GRT customers and are not a designated service animal are not allowed on GRT.

Service animals that accompany passengers with disabilities, such as guide dogs, are welcome at all public areas of the Grand River Transit system.

If you have a service animal, please remember:

• The animal must be under your care and control at all times.
• Service animals must not pose a risk to other passengers or to GRT operators.
• If your service animal does not wear a vest or harness, you may be asked to provide acceptable documentation from a regulated health professional, confirming the animal is required due to a disability.

Service Animal EasyGO fare card

If you would prefer to tap an extra EasyGO card, rather than show documentation from a regulated health professional stating that your animal is needed because of a disability, please complete and submit a Service Animal EasyGO Card application. Please note that this application is optional. 

Service Animal EasyGO Cards must be renewed every two years on the anniversary of the card's issue date. This can be done by visiting customer service.

For more information on service animals, please visit the Diversity, equity and inclusion section of the Region of Waterloo's website.

All persons using a service animal must meet the criteria stated in the Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Large items likely to inconvenience, obstruct, interfere or jeopardize the safety of other passengers or damage GRT property will not be permitted on GRT vehicles. These include, but are not limited to, large carts, heavy boxes or items with sharp edges. Operators have the right to reject the boarding of a person carrying any item which they feel poses a threat to other passengers.

Large carts, including grocery store-provided shopping carts, are not permitted on board. Operators have the right to reject the boarding of anyone trying to board with a large cart.

Small folding grocery carts are permitted on board.

Athletic equipment such as inline skates (roller blades), ice skates and skateboards cannot be worn or used while travelling on GRT. Skis, ski poles and snowboards are not permitted on any GRT vehicle unless properly enclosed. Ice skates should have ice guards or be properly enclosed in a bag. 

For the safety of the public, handguns, paintball guns, pellet guns or any type of concealed weapon are not allowed on any buses or on GRT property. 

Explosive materials such as gasoline, diesel, reactive and acidic chemicals, and containers carrying these materials are not allowed on any buses or on GRT property.

Individuals found with these items in their possession may be asked to leave the bus or GRT property. If the item is deemed as a threat to others, security may confiscate the item and the proper authorities will be notified.