Niagara Transit

Not to be confused with Niagara Falls Transit.
Niagara Transit
ParentNiagara Region
Founded12 September 2011
Headquarters2012 First Street Louth,
St. Catharines, ON, Canada
LocaleRegional Municipality of Niagara
Service areaRegional Municipality of Niagara
Service typeBus service, Microtransit, Specialized Transit
HubsWelland Transit Terminal
St. Catharines Transit Terminal
Niagara Falls Transit Morrison-Dorchester Hub
Brock University
Niagara College Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake campuses
Fleet15 buses, ranging from 40-60 feet in length
Fuel typeDiesel, HEV
OperatorNiagara Region
WebsiteNiagara Transit

Niagara Region Transit is a regional public transit system operating in the Niagara Region of Ontario. Initial service commenced on September 12, 2011, and consisted of inter-municipal routes. In January 2023, Niagara Region Transit assumed the operations of Welland Transit, Fort Erie Transit, St. Catharines Transit, and Niagara Falls Transit to form a single unified local transit service for the entire Niagara Region.[1] Local fares are $3 for an adult customer.[2]

Service commenced the morning of September 12, 2011, and costs $6 per intercity trip, including transfer between two local municipal transit services. The service cost $5 for the first six months.[3][4]

A regional paratransit service, Niagara Specialized Transit, has been in operation since November 2006 and operated by Canadian Red Cross. In August 2020, a two-year pilot was launched to provide on-demand service for Grimsby, Lincoln, Pelham, Wainfleet and West Lincoln.[5]

In 2024, a rebranding to Niagara Transit was approved by the transit commission board.[6]

History

Prior to the creation of Niagara Region Transit, inter-municipal transit in the Niagara Region was provided exclusively by local transit agencies which provided inconsistent services between local municipalities such as Welland Transit which operated a "link" route between Welland and Thorold or Niagara Falls Transit which operated a similar route between Fort Erie and Niagara Falls. On September 12, 2011, Niagara Region Transit began operating a network of 3 routes providing service between Welland, St. Catharines, and Niagara Falls as a temporary pilot project. This plan also included additional funding for existing link services between Niagara Falls and Fort Erie in addition to Welland and Port Colborne.[4]

In March 2017, Niagara's Transportation Master Plan identified a lack of integrated regional transit as being one of the main obstacles preventing regular GO Train service to St. Catharines and Niagara Falls.[7] The master plan proposed merging the services and operations of the region's three largest transit agencies into those of Niagara Region Transit. In December 2021, the plan was approved by the required triple majority as it was supported by a majority of Niagara's municipalities representing a majority of the regional population.[7]

On January 1, 2023, Niagara Region Transit assumed the operations of Niagara Falls Transit and started providing local service to Niagara Falls, Welland, Fort Erie, Thorold, and St. Catharines.[8] Local passes stopped being sold in December 2022 due to the anticipated consolidation of services.[9] Some fareboxes were replaced in order to use magnetic stripe technology.[10] Rider fares were unified across municipalities.[11] Niagara Region Transit has an ageing fleet of buses and significant capital is needed to replace them.[12] In 2023, there was a labour strike by employees.[13]

In 2024, NRT OnDemand services were transferred to Voyago and replaced previous local specialized transit services which were under contract to Via Mobility and BTS Network.[14] In July 2025, fares will be changed to $3.50 for both local and intercity trips.[15]

References

  1. ^ "New consolidated transit system in Niagara". Niagara Region Transit. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  2. ^ "Fares". Niagara Region Transit. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  3. ^ Bolichowski, Jeff. "Ride on new Region transit service costs $5 — at first". St. Catharines Standard. Archived from the original on October 6, 2011.
  4. ^ a b Bolichowski, Jeff (September 9, 2011). "Regional transit system hits the road Monday". St. Catharines Standard. Archived from the original on April 5, 2012.
  5. ^ "NRT OnDemand celebrates one year anniversary of service launch". Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  6. ^ Sawchuck, Bill. "Dropping the word 'region' as too negative, Niagara Transit getting a fresh new look". St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  7. ^ a b "How We Go - Niagara Region, Ontario". www.niagararegion.ca. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  8. ^ Tymczyszyn, Bob. "Niagara receives award for transit consolidation". The St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  9. ^ Longwell, Karen. "Transit becomes one integrated system across Niagara Region next month". InSauga. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  10. ^ "Niagara Region Transit rolls out new fareboxes". Niagara on the Lake Local. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  11. ^ Benner, Allan. "Decades-old regional transit dream becomes a reality in Niagara". St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  12. ^ Benner, Allen. "Niagara Region Transit service cuts, rising fares face opposition". St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  13. ^ Benner, Allan. "Staff shortages, union dispute led to bus cancellations at Niagara Region Transit". St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  14. ^ Heslop, Bonnie. "Changes coming to transit in Niagara, with Voyago taking over NRT OnDemand and Specialized Transit". iHeart Radio. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  15. ^ Sawchuck, Bill. "Niagara bus fares harmonize to one single price". St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved 29 August 2024.