City of Stratford Transit and Parallel Transit provide an affordable and convenient alternative to driving within the City on regularly scheduled transit routes. Read further to learn about our rates, schedules, Parallel Transit, and special services.
News Items, Service Updates, Changes and Policies
| August 8, 2023 - Stratford Transit School Specials for 2023/2024 |
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For the more than 400,000 students we transport yearly, Stratford Transit provides School Special buses weekday mornings and afternoons for Stratford District Secondary School, and St. Michael Catholic Secondary School. Those buses leave from the Terminal and travel to the schools starting in the morning at 7:25 a.m. until 8:45 a.m.
For further information regarding School Specials please call 519-271-0250 extension 405.
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| July 8, 2022 - Stratford Transit Introducing Electronic Fare Option |
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Starting July 18, Stratford Transit will introduce an additional option to pay for Transit fares, using your mobile device. The HotSpot app, which is currently used to pay for parking within the City, now includes an electronic feature to pay for Transit fares. Monthly passes and tickets can be purchased from your mobile phone at any time with a major credit card and securely stored in your “wallet” through the app. Signing up is easy and offers additional amenities such as monitoring your account balance, ridership history, real-time tracking, alerts and travel planning. Paper passes/tickets will still be available for purchase and cash is always accepted. Introducing the option to pay for Transit fares electronically adds a more environmentally friendly, paperless, touchless alternative. A small convenience fee is added to each transaction. The following fares will be available to purchase through the HotSpot app: Available to purchase effective July 18:
Available to purchase effective August 1:
Please note: monthly passes through HotSpot are not 30-day passes, but instead cover a calendar month only (August 1 to August 31, September 1 to September 30, for example). Please visit https://htsp.ca/how-it-works/ for Hotspot app instructions for Android and iPhone platforms. |
| No Service on Public Holidays |
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:
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| Stratford Transit Transfer Policy |
| Stratford Transit has a transfer policy to add more flexibility for riders. Customers are now able 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. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Parallel Transit
Priority and Courtesy Seating
Procedures for Serving Passengers with a Disability
Saturday and Sunday On-Demand Service
School Transit Transportation
Transit Accessibility Public Meeting
Transit Charters
Transit Schedule & Bus Stop Locations
Transit Rates
Transit Tracker - Check Bus Locations and Routes
Where to Buy Transit Passes
Transit Schedule and Bus Stop Locations
Transit Terminal Location: Cooper Block (Shakespeare Park on Downie Street)
Planning your trip? Take these steps:
- Download the Transit System Map
- Review route service dates and times (below).
- Prior to your trip, check the News Items, Service Updates, Changes and Policies. There is no service on Public Holidays.
Monday to Friday: 30 Minute Continual Service Schedules
| Route #1: HURON Stop Location | Timing point at each stop location | Continual schedule until last departure | ||||
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| Departs Transit Terminal | 6:00am | 6:30am | 7:00am | 7:30am | 8:00am | 9:30pm |
| Huron Street at Avondale Avenue | 6:05am | 6:35am | 7:05am | 7:35am | 8:05am | 9:35pm |
| Oakdale Avenue at O'Loane Avenue | 6:10am | 6:40am | 7:10am | 7:40am | 8:10am | 9:40pm |
| Huron Street at Matilda Street | 6:15am | 6:45am | 7:15am | 7:45am | 8:15am | 9:45pm |
| Huntingdon Avenue at Huron Street | 6:20am | 6:50am | 7:20am | 7:50am | 8:20am | 9:50pm |
| Downie Street at Brunswick Street (City Hall) | 6:25am | 6:55am | 7:25am | 7:55am | 8:25am | 9:55pm |
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ROUTE #1: HURON Stop Numbers and Locations |
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For the real-time Stratford Transit Tracker, see https://onyourway.stratford.ca/
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| Route #2: EAST END Stop Location | Timing point at each stop location | Continual schedule until last departure | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Departs Transit Terminal | 6:00am | 6:30am | 7:00am | 7:30am | 8:00am | 9:30pm |
| Douro Street at Romeo Street | 6:05am | 6:35am | 7:05am | 7:35am | 8:05am | 9:35pm |
| Douro Street at Cooper Standard | 6:10am | 6:40am | 7:10am | 7:40am | 8:10am | 9:40pm |
| Ontario Street at Perth Road 111 (Quality Inn) | 6:15am | 6:45am | 7:15am | 7:45am | 8:15am | 9:45pm |
| Ontario Street at Romeo Street (Dairy Queen) | 6:20am | 6:50am | 7:20am | 7:50am | 8:20am | 9:50pm |
| Ontario Street at Waterloo Street | 6:25am | 6:55am | 7:25am | 7:55am | 8:25am | 9:55pm |
| Route #2: EAST END Stop Numbers and Locations |
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For the real-time Stratford Transit Tracker, see https://onyourway.stratford.ca/
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| Route #3: McCARTHY Stop Location | Timing point at each stop location | Continual schedule until last departure | ||||
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| Departs Transit Terminal | 6:00am | 6:30am | 7:00am | 7:30am | 8:00am | 9:30pm |
| John Street at Charles Street | 6:05am | 6:35am | 7:05am | 7:35am | 8:05am | 9:35pm |
| Short Street at Culliton Standard | 6:10am | 6:40am | 7:10am | 7:40am | 8:10am | 9:40pm |
| McCarthy Road at Mornington Street | 6:15am | 6:45am | 7:15am | 7:45am | 8:15am | 9:45pm |
| Princess Street at Earl Street | 6:20am | 6:50am | 7:20am | 7:50am | 8:20am | 9:50pm |
| Waterloo Street at Ontario Street | 6:25am | 6:55am | 7:25am | 7:55am | 8:25am | 9:55pm |
| Route #3: McCARTHY Stop Numbers and Locations |
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For the real-time Stratford Transit Tracker, see https://onyourway.stratford.ca/
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| Route #4: QUEENSLAND Stop Location | Timing point at each stop location | Continual schedule until last departure | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Departs Transit Terminal | 6:00am | 6:30am | 7:00am | 7:30am | 8:00am | 9:30pm |
| Cambria Street at St. Vincent Street | 6:05am | 6:35am | 7:05am | 7:35am | 8:05am | 9:35pm |
| Erie Street at Monteith Avenue | 6:10am | 6:40am | 7:10am | 7:40am | 8:10am | 9:40pm |
| St. Vincent Street at Easson Street | 6:15am | 6:45am | 7:15am | 7:45am | 8:15am | 9:45pm |
| McGregor Street at Sprung Court | 6:20am | 6:50am | 7:20am | 7:50am | 8:20am | 9:50pm |
| Erie Street at Cambria Street | 6:25am | 6:55am | 7:25am | 7:55am | 8:25am | 9:55pm |
| Route #4: QUEENSLAND Stop Numbers and Locations |
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For the real-time Stratford Transit Tracker, see https://onyourway.stratford.ca/
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| Route #5: DEVON Stop Location | Timing point at each stop location | Continual schedule until last departure | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Departs Transit Terminal | 6:00am | 6:30am | 7:00am | 7:30am | 8:00am | 9:30pm |
| Ontario Street at Romeo Street | 6:05am | 6:35am | 7:05am | 7:35am | 8:05am | 9:35pm |
| Devon Street at Pleasant Drive | 6:10am | 6:40am | 7:10am | 7:40am | 8:10am | 9:40pm |
| McCarthy Road at Fairfield Drive | 6:15am | 6:45am | 7:15am | 7:45am | 8:15am | 9:45pm |
| Delamere Avenue at Romeo Street | 6:20am | 6:50am | 7:20am | 7:50am | 8:20am | 9:50pm |
| Front Street at Douro Street | 6:25am | 6:55am | 7:25am | 7:55am | 8:25am | 9:55pm |
| Route #5: DEVON Stop Numbers and Locations |
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For the real-time Stratford Transit Tracker, see https://onyourway.stratford.ca/
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| Route #6: DOWNIE Stop Location | Timing point at each stop location | Continual schedule until last departure | ||||
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| Departs Transit Terminal | 6:00am | 6:30am | 7:00am | 7:30am | 8:00am | 9:30pm |
| Romeo Street at Norfolk Street | 6:05am | 6:35am | 7:05am | 7:35am | 8:05am | 9:35pm |
| Brydges Street at Louise Street | 6:10am | 6:40am | 7:10am | 7:40am | 8:10am | 9:40pm |
| Maple Avenue at Wilson Court | 6:15am | 6:45am | 7:15am | 7:45am | 8:15am | 9:45pm |
| Downie Street at Simcoe Court (Jubilee Church) | 6:20am | 6:50am | 7:20am | 7:50am | 8:20am | 9:50pm |
| Guelph Street at Nile Street | 6:25am | 6:55am | 7:25am | 7:55am | 8:25am | 9:55pm |
| Route #6: DOWNIE Stop Numbers and Locations |
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For the real-time Stratford Transit Tracker, see https://onyourway.stratford.ca/
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| Route #7: INDUSTRIAL Stop Location | Timing point at each stop location | Continual schedule until last departure | ||||
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| Departs Transit Terminal | 6:00am | 6:30am | 7:00am | 7:30am | 8:00am | 9:30pm |
| Monteith Avenue at McFarlane Street | 6:05am | 6:35am | 7:05am | 7:35am | 8:05am | 9:35pm |
| Wright Boulevard at John A. McCarthy | 6:10am | 6:40am | 7:10am | 7:40am | 8:10am | 9:40pm |
| Ford Lane at Erie Street | 6:15am | 6:45am | 7:15am | 7:45am | 8:15am | 9:45pm |
| Scott Street at Griffith Road | 6:20am | 6:50am | 7:20am | 7:50am | 8:20am | 9:50pm |
| Cambria Street at West Gore Street | 6:25am | 6:55am | 7:25am | 7:55am | 8:25am | 9:55pm |
| Route #7: INDUSTRIAL Stop Numbers and Locations |
For the real-time Stratford Transit Tracker, see https://onyourway.stratford.ca/
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Saturday & Sunday On-Demand Transit Service
On Demand allows 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 timeframes and route desired stop, allowing passengers to get anywhere in the city.
The Hours of Operation for On-Demand are:
- Saturdays, 6am to 8pm
- Sundays, 10am to 5:30pm
| Make a Reservation for On-Demand |
Those looking to use the mobile app or online service can may find it useful to review the online user guide for preferred devices. |
| Learn About the On-Demand Service |
| To better understand the On-Demand Service, click here to learn more. |
| On-Demand Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) |
| Have a question about the On-Demand Transit app and on-demand transit? Click to review our FAQ section. |
School Transit Transportation
We transport more than 400,000 students yearly via our morning and afternoon school specials.
Schedule and Turn-by-Turn Route Descriptions (Morning)
| School Special #1: EAST END/DEVON |
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07:25 – Depart from the Transit Terminal (Follow East End Route. Note minor alterations)
07:55 – Depart from Transit Terminal (Follow Devon Route)
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School Special #2: HURON/McCARTHY |
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07:25 – Depart from the Transit Terminal (Follow Huron route. Note minor alterations)
07:55 – Depart Transit Terminal (Follow McCarthy route. Note Minor alterations)
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School Special #3: QUEENSLAND/DOWNIE |
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07:25 Depart Transit Terminal (Follow Queensland route. Note minor alterations)
07:55 Depart Transit Terminal (Follow Downie route. Note minor alterations)
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Schedule and Turn-by-Turn Route Descriptions (Afternoon)
| School Special #1: EAST END/DEVON |
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2:45 – Depart Transit Garage and head to Stratford Secondary via route below
3:00 - Depart Stratford District Secondary School. Proceed to St. Michael’s Catholic Secondary School
Depart Terminal following the below route:
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School Special #2: HURON/McCARTHY |
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2:45 – Depart Transit Garage and head to Stratford Secondary via route below
3:00 – Depart Stratford District Secondary School. Proceed to St. Michael's Catholic Secondary School
Depart Terminal following the below route:
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School Special #3: QUEENSLAND/DOWNIE |
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2:45 – Depart Transit Garage and head to Stratford Secondary School via route below.
3:00 – Depart Stratford District Secondary School. Proceed to St. Michael's Catholic Secondary School
Depart Terminal and follow the below route
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Stratford Transit Charters
Stratford Transit Charters provides a safe, affordable and reliable in-town transportation service to destinations throughout Stratford for large groups. Buses can accommodate up to 37 people. The rate is $85 per hour, plus taxes. To reserve your charter, please contact us at 519-271-0250 extension 405 during regular business hours.
Use our charter services for:
- Weddings and parties
- Business meetings
- Conference attendees
- Sports teams
- School groups
- Special events
- Community events
We will pick guests up from your predetermined location. All you need to do is sit back and relax, and leave the driving to our experienced transit operators.
Transit Rates (2023)
| Details | Cash | Advanced Tickets |
30-Day Pass |
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| Children | 5 and under | FREE | FREE | Not Applicable |
| Student | Applies only to elementary/secondary students, and ODSP and Ontario Works Clients. Identification will be required. | $2.50 | $2.25 | $60.00 |
| Affordable | Applies only to elementary/secondary students, and ODSP and Ontario Works Clients. Identification will be required. | $2.50 | $2.25 | $60.00 |
| Adults | 19 - 64 years | $3.00 | $2.75 | $70.00 |
| Seniors | 65 and older | $2.75 | $2.50 | $60.00 |
| Day Pass | Single rider and valid until end of service day | $7.00 | $7.00 | Not Applicable |
| Family Pass | Up to 4 riders with a least one adult and valid until end of service day | $15.00 | $15.00 | Not Applicable |
| Charter | A special transit service for personal in-town travel by the hour. | $85.00/hour | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
Transfers are valid for up to 1 hour anywhere in the city.
Where to Buy Transit Passes
All passes and schedules are available through the City's main reception, on the second floor of Stratford City Hall. Passes/tickets can also be purchased (except affordable passes) at the following locations:
- Blowes Stationery
- City Hall, 2nd Floor
- Daisy Mart Esso
- East End Variety
- Hallmark Cards
- Sobey's
- Stratford Variety
Stratford Transit Tracker: A Smarter Way To Travel
| How to use Stratford Transit Tracker |
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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.
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| How to save Stratford Transit Tracker to your to Phone Screen |
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Priority & Courtesy Seating
Show you care! Offer your seat to someone who needs it more than you.
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) requires businesses and organizations to provide accessible services to people with disabilities. The goal is for Ontario to be fully accessible by 2025.
The Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR, 191-11), is a standard developed under the AODA which includes 80 accessibility standards relating to transportation, employment, and information and communications. Compliance dates set out in the IASR range from July 2011 through January 2021.
In compliance with Section 49 of Regulation 191-11, Ontario's public transit authorities now provide Priority seating designated for use by passengers with disabilities.
Transit authorities recognize there are other customers who would also benefit from having a seat near the front of the bus. A Courtesy seating area has been designated for seniors, expectant mothers, adults travelling with infants/small children or any other customer who may benefit from a seat near the front of the bus.
| Priority Seating |
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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:
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| Courtesy Seating |
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Courtesy Seating is intended to provide additional seating for people who will benefit from having a seat near the front of the vehicle including:
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. |
Frequently Asked Questions
| Why are there both Priority Seating and Courtesy Seating areas on a bus? |
| The Priority Seating area is a regulatory requirement under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. The Courtesy Seating area is provided in addition to the Priority Seating area for passengers who may benefit from a seat, but do not have a disability. |
| I am a passenger with a disability. What do I do if the Priority Seating area is full when I board the bus? |
| Politely remind the customers seated in the Priority Seating area of its intended use and ask that they make room for you. |
| What do I do if the passengers seated in the Priority Seating area refuse to move for me? |
| Please remember that passengers in the Priority Seating area may suffer from a disability that is not easily recognized by others and they may not be comfortable discussing it in public. If the passengers in the Priority Seating area do not move when requested, proceed to the Courtesy Seating area to find a seat. |
| The Priority Seating decal states that other passengers MUST vacate for a passenger with a disability. If someone refuses to move for a passenger with a disability, who will make them obey the sign? |
| The wording on the decal is a legal requirement under Regulation 191-11 but the Regulation does not provide any reference to enforcement. Given the vast number and varying degree of disabilities, many of which are invisible, it would be extremely difficult for a third party to determine who is more entitled to the Priority Seating area. As such, we expect customers to do the right thing. |
| Can I ask the operator to force passengers to vacate a seat for me? |
| Drivers/operators will not intervene in a dispute between passengers regarding a seat.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. |