Transit

• Stratford has additionally secured seven new 24-inch monitor displays to be installed on each bus, retiring the traditional one-colour light announcement scrolling systems. 
• The media monitors will be highly visible and vibrant, improving the accessibility of content offered to passengers that will include operational messages, revenue-generating commercials and current City news. 

“We are excited to introduce this innovative tracking tool and media system to our Stratford riders,” said Transit Manager Michael Mousley. “The system puts the convenience of transit travel at the fingertips of passengers, making it easy to receive updates as they happen, via a personal computer or phone.”

• In addition to offering real-time bus monitoring for riders, the Stratford Transit Tracker will provide transit operators with passenger counters, on-time reporting, detailed route information, better communication options with other drivers and in-depth key performance indicators to improve overall transit operations. 

For information on the Stratford Transit Tracker service and using the mobile app and online site, click here.  

• 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

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.

Load the website https://onyourway.stratford.ca/ (available on October 26) onto any device with a web browser. You can use your cell phone, tablet, or computer.

1. Select a stop name or number. The application will automatically display planned and forecasted departures in real-time with route number, destination, and next two departures.
2. To track the bus and view the route pattern, select any departures listed on the right side of the screen, and press "View live on map." The route pattern and the bus is now displayed on a map in real-time.

1. iPhone, press the button circled in red. Press "Add to Home Screen." The real-time bus tracking website should now be displayed as an "app" on the home screen.
2. On an Android phone, press the three-dot menu button on the top right corner of your browser. Press "Add to Home screen." The real-time bus tracking website should now be displayed as an "app" on the home screen.

• 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 8am to 4pm, and for the month of July, Sundays from 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm. 

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

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