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GRT Pay and Transit app

You can buy tickets on your mobile device using GRT Pay or Transit app. Tickets can be used to pay your fare on GRT buses, ION trains, MobilityPLUS vehicles and Kiwanis Transit.

Fare products available:

Get the app Buy tickets and passes Activate and use your ticket Troubleshooting and FAQs

Get the app

GRT Pay and Transit app are free to download. Search 'GRT Pay' or 'Grand River Transit' in the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

The app is available on iOS or Android devices installed with the current or previous major version operating system. Older versions of software may not be supported.  

There are no additional fees for using GRT Pay or Transit app. When using either app, please be aware that carrier charges may apply for data usage. Grand River Transit is not responsible for any mobile carrier charges that you may incur as a result of purchasing a mobile product or downloading GRT Pay or the Transit app. 

Buy tickets and passes

You can pay with Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard, Debit Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay or Google Pay.

You can save your credit card information for future purchases when buying a ticket or pass. The CVV number will need to be entered each time you make a purchase.

  1. Create an account or use the app as a guest.
  2. Select 'Buy Tickets'.
  3. Choose your ticket or pass.
  4. Choose whether you want to purchase one ticket or multiple tickets. 
  5. Read and accept the ticket regulations. 
  6. Choose your method of payment. You can store your payment information for future use. You’ll need to enter your CVV number each time you buy a fare. 
  7. Once your purchase is complete, tap 'Go to Ticket Wallet' to see your ticket.

 

  1. If prompted, choose the location services setting you want the app to use.  
  2. Select 'Buy Ticket' at the bottom of the main screen.
  3. Choose your ticket type and number of tickets.
  4. Log in or create a Transit app account and enter your payment information.  
  5. Confirm your purchase.
  6. You can choose 'Activate Ticket' if you are planning to board a bus, ION light rail, or a MobilityPLUS vehicle, or 'Ride Later' to be used at a later date. Both unused and active tickets can be found in Settings under 'Transit fares'. 

 

You can purchase tickets online to use in the GRT Pay app. Sign up for a new GRT Pay account or sign in using the same username and password you use on the GRT Pay app. 
Note: Tickets can only be purchased online if you use the GRT Pay app, not Transit app.
If you’re purchasing a ticket for someone else, you’ll need to sign in to the GRT Pay website with their username and password.
To buy a ticket:   
  1. Go to grtpay.ca.
  2. Log in to an existing GRT Pay account or sign up for an account. 
  3. Select 'Buy Fare'.
  4. Choose the number of tickets you are purchasing and select 'Continue'.
  5. You can use your payment card, or use your existing account balance. 
  6. Select 'Accept and Pay'. 
If your payment is successful, you’ll see a 'Payment successful' message and the ticket will be added to your GRT Pay account on your mobile device.

Tickets can be purchased or funds added at a GRT customer service location. A valid GRT Pay or Transit app account is required.
Tickets purchased or funds added at GRT customer service will be sent to your GRT Pay account or Transit app account. 
  1. Visit any GRT customer service location.
  2. Tell the customer service agent which fare product you want to buy or that you want to add funds to your GRT Pay or Transit app account balance.
  3. Provide your GRT Pay or Transit app account ID to the customer service agent.

Finding your account ID In GRT Pay

  1. From the main screen of the app, select the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner of the app. 
  2. Select 'My Account'. 
  3. Select 'Scan Account'. 
  4. Your account ID will be displayed at the bottom of the page. 

Finding your account ID in Transit app

  1. Select the icon in the top left corner of the main screen. 
  2. Scroll down the page to the Accounts section, and select GRT. 
  3. Your account ID will be displayed on the page.
Confirm your purchase with the customer service agent. The ticket or funds will be available in GRT Pay or Transit app.

Activate and use your ticket

Activating tickets in GRT Pay

Activate your ticket just prior to boarding the bus, ION light rail, or a MobilityPLUS vehicle. If you are activating a single-ride ticket, your 120-minute transfer starts from the time your ticket is activated.

To activate your ticket, go to your ticket wallet and tap on the ticket you want to use. Tap the blue 'Activate Ticket' button. Confirm that you want to activate your ticket. Once it's been activated, a ticket cannot be deactivated. 

  • When boarding a bus, show your activated ticket to the bus operator for visual validation. 
  • When transferring from one bus to another, you’ll need to show your ticket again when you board the second bus.
  • Reminder, do not reach around the barrier with your mobile device.
  • When travelling on ION light rail, board with your activated ticket. You may be asked to show your activated ticket to a fare inspector during your trip. They will scan your ticket.
  • When boarding a MobilityPLUS vehicle, show your activated ticket to the bus operator for visual validation.

To see when your ticket expires, tap on the 'Details' button in the bottom corner. Under 'Valid Until', you’ll see the how much time is remaining on your ticket.

Activating multiple tickets in GRT Pay

Activating multiple tickets

GRT Pay and Transit app support multiple single-ride tickets. Tickets cannot be transferred to someone else’s mobile device.

  • If you’re purchasing tickets for more than one person, you’ll need an activated ticket for each person.
  • If you have activated more than one ticket, you can tap on the arrows at the bottom to scroll to the next ticket. You’ll need to display each ticket when boarding. 
  • If you’re travelling with a group of up to five people, consider buying a group pass.

Troubleshooting and FAQs

When you purchase your ticket, a receipt will automatically be sent to the email address associated with your account, with the subject line "GRT Pay confirmation".

You can also request another copy of your GRT Pay receipt at any time in the 'Actions' menu on any ticket. In Transit app you can resend your receipt by going to Settings > Accounts > GRT > Transaction history > Select a ticket > Resend receipt.

Tickets and passes are valid for one year from purchase. Unused tickets and passes will expire after one year and are not refundable. Your stored value balance does not expire and will stay on your account in the app.

You can request a refund through the app within five minutes of purchasing your ticket.

  • In GRT Pay app, choose the ticket in your 'Ticket Wallet', select 'Actions', then 'Refund Ticket'.
  • In Transit app, select 'Settings', scroll down to 'Accounts' and choose 'GRT', then select 'Transaction History', choose your ticket, select 'Ask for Refund', and then select 'Refund'.

Tickets purchased from the GRT Pay website cannot be refunded. Activated or expired tickets cannot be refunded. Your stored value balance is non-refundable.

Select 'Ticket Wallet' from the home screen on the GRT Pay app or 'Transit Fares' under settings in Transit app. This will show all the tickets you’ve purchased. If your ticket says 'Inactive', you’ll need to activate it before boarding the bus, ION light rail or a MobilityPLUS vehicle. Select the ticket you wish to use and tap the 'Activate' button. Your ticket details will display. Select 'Activate Ticket' and your activated ticket will show on your screen. If you still do not see your ticket, close the app and reopen it.

No, it is not compatible. If you would like to continue to use Connect-to-GO, keep using the EasyGO card.

No, EasyGO fare cards and GRT Pay accounts are separate. Funds cannot be moved between the two applications.

You need access to Wi-Fi or cell service to purchase a ticket. You do not need Wi-Fi or cell service to activate or show a ticket when boarding. You must purchase your ticket before boarding the bus or ION light rail. If you lose cell service after boarding the bus or train, you will still be able to activate and display purchased tickets. You will not be able to make any purchases or other changes until you reconnect to cell service or Wi-Fi.

You are responsible for having a mobile device in good working order prior to boarding and throughout the duration of your trip. If your mobile device is inoperable, you will need to use another payment method for your trip.

If you are using a new mobile device, log in to your GRT Pay or Transit app with your existing username and password. You will be able to see unused tickets on your new device. You can change your device three times over a six-month period. Contact Grand River Transit through our online report an issue form if you are unable to switch your device.

Enter your postal code using only uppercase letters and numbers, following the format A1A 1A1.

If you’re using Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, make sure the name and address in your wallet match exactly with the information on your credit card or bank account.

If you’re still unable to complete your purchase after trying these steps, please report the issue using the GRT customer feedback form.

Terms and conditions and privacy

GRT Pay and Transit app are fully compliant with Payment Card Industry standards (PCI-DSS). All payment communication is fully encrypted via SSL, any sensitive data stored is highly encrypted and systems are constantly monitored for security vulnerabilities.

Read the full terms and conditions and privacy policy

Contact Us

Grand River Transit
250 Strasburg Rd
Kitchener, ON N2E 3M6
Phone: 519-585-7555