Transit

• Based on the current student information made available at time of publishing, a new schedule has been developed in anticipation of ridership volumes, and with health and safety as a priority.The morning AM Specials will continue as they have in the past, and will now include stops at the newly opened Stratford Intermediate. They will travel a few minutes ahead of the scheduled routes.The afternoon PM Specials will change somewhat, due to large numbers of students looking for transportation within a 10-minute window at dismissal times.
• The #1, #2, #3 Specials will depart Stratford Intermediate at 3 p.m. and will service routes from that point (these buses will not proceed to Stratford Secondary/St. Michael) as they have in the past.
• A new #4 Special will arrive at Stratford District Secondary at 3 p.m. and then St. Michael at 3:10 p.m. and will be a direct shuttle to the Terminal (with stop requests honored along the route), where students can transfer to a regular line bus. The regular #1 Huron or #3 McCarthy routes are additional options to the high school students as well with an approximate 3:10 p.m. arrival on Oakdale and Forman Avenue.
• Please note that, in keeping with direction provided by Huron Perth Public Health, Stratford Transit riders are expected to wear face coverings while on the bus, if they are able to.
• Please continue to review our School Special and Service Updates and Changes section as these routes could possibly be adjusted frequently over time based on ridership statistics.

Effective July 5, 2020, Stratford Transit will move to an On-Demand Service on Sundays. On-demand will allow transit to meet the current needs of customers while routing vehicles only to requested stops. Customers will be able to schedule a ride based on their own time frames and route desired stop, allowing passengers to get anywhere in the city. 

The hours of operation for Sunday On-Demand will be 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Those customers wishing to book a ride may do so as early as a week before the July 5 launch. Reservations will be accepted in the following ways:

• Mobile App - "On-Demand Transit - Rider App" is available for download in the App Store and Google Play, and can be used to book rides any time of day for any time of service. When asked for a transit code, please enter the word [stratford]. 
• Online - The online reservation portal is now open. Book your rides using a laptop or computer by connecting to ridestratford.ca.
• Phone - Call 519-271-0250 extension 264, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and for the month of July, Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Those looking to use the mobile app or online service can may find it useful to review the online user guide for preferred devices. 

Download the Monday - Saturday Transit Schedule and Stop Locations (effective May 7, 2019) 

 New July 2020, book your Sunday rides by On-Demand. Find out how. 

• #1 Huron, #2 East End, #3 McCarthy
• #4 Queensland, #5 Devon, #6 Downie
• #7 Industrial

Please be advised that due construction on O’Loane Avenue, from Galt Road to Perth Line 36, beginning Monday, August 24th thru to November 27th,  the #1 Huron route will detour as follows:

• Oakdale Avenue
• Left onto Matilda Street
• Right onto Galt Road
• Left onto O’Loane Avenue to regular route.   

Stratford Transit operates 7 days a week from the temporary transit hub at the Cooper Block on Downie Street across from Shakespeare Park, except on the following Public Holidays:

• New Year's Day
• Good Friday
• Victoria Day
• Family Day
• Canada Day
• Civic Holiday
• Labour Day 
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day

Stratford Transit will now allow customers to transfer at any stop in the city. Please keep in mind the following:

1. Transfers are only valid for 1 hour.

2. If you transfer back onto the bus you left originally, the transfer may not be accepted electronically in the fare box. If this is the case, the driver will manually inspect the transfer to ensure it is valid (time/date).

Questions regarding should be directed to the Transit office at 519-271-0250, extension 264 during business hours.

School Special Schedule and Turn-by-Turn Route Descriptions (New 2020)

• Morning (AM) School Special Schedule
• Afternoon (PM) School Special Schedule

Priority Seating is for the use of passengers with a disability. These seats are located close to the front of the vehicle. Customers are expected to respect and obey the purpose of the designated seating area, which means if you are sitting in one of these designated seats, you MUST vacate the seat for a passenger with a disability.

Please note:

• A person with a disability occupying a Priority seat is not required to move for another customer with a disability. Use of these seats is on a first come-first served basis.
• You are not required or expected to leave a transit vehicle in order to make room for a customer with a disability.
• Bus drivers/operators will not intervene to enforce the requirement. We ask, however, that you show consideration for those whose need is greater than your own.

Courtesy Seating is intended to provide additional seating for people who will benefit from having a seat near the front of the vehicle including:

• Seniors
• Expectant mothers
• Adults travelling with infants or small children
• Any other passenger who may benefit from a seat.

If you are sitting in one of these designated seats, please respect its purpose and give up your seat to those who need it.

Please note: Drivers/operators will not enforce this requirement or intervene in any dispute related to Courtesy Seating. We ask, however, that you respect this designated seating area and show consideration for those whose need is greater than your own.

I am a person with a disability. When I board a bus which is full and people are both seated and standing in the Priority Seating area, do other passengers need to vacate the bus to make room for me in the Priority Seating area?

No. Public transit is first come, first served. Other passengers who have paid a fare are not expected to vacate the bus to make room for other passengers. If you are not comfortable completing your trip without a seat, please wait for the next bus.

On-Demand COVID-19 Protocols

Stratford Transit would like to thank all passengers for practicing social distancing, and ask that the service only be used for essential trips (employment, groceries, pharmacy, etc.). Where possible, nonessential trips (social-based trips) should be avoided.   

At this time, it is required that passengers continue to enter and exit the bus at the rear doors, except for passengers who require the accessibly ramp. 

As we continue to board buses at rear doors you'll be asked by the driver to check-in so that your ride can be recorded. Please ensure physical distancing while communicating with the driver.  

Should any passenger exhibit illness or flu-like symptoms, they are prohibited from riding the bus. Passengers are reminded to practice recommended hygiene etiquette while utilizing transit including:

• Cough and sneeze into the bend of your arm, not into your hand
• Practice social distancing where possible by maintaining a distance of two metres
• Stay home when you are sick and avoid contact with other people until your symptoms are gone
• Washing hands as soon as possible or once you’ve reached your destination