Transit

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 are no longer posted in this section. Please see section Service Updates and Changes.

June 29, 2020 - Sunday On-Demand Transit (Reserve Now)

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 timeframes 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.

How can we direct you?

Parallel Transit
P riority and Courtesy Seating
Transit Accessibility Public Meeting
Transit Schedule & Bus Stop Locations
Transit Rates
Transit Service for Industry, School Specials, Charters
Sunday On-Demand Service (New)
Where to Buy Transit Passes
Procedures for Serving Passengers with a Disability

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 Service Updates and Changes. There is no service on Public Holidays.

Monday - Saturday Service Schedule and Stop Locations

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

Sunday On-Demand

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

Turn-By-Turn Route Descriptions

#1 Huron, #2 East End, #3 McCarthy

#4 Queensland, #5 Devon, #6 Downie

#7 Industrial

Service Update and Changes

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:

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

Stratford Transit Transfer Update

Stratford Transit has implemented a change in its transfer policy to add more flexibility for riders.

Stratford Transit will now allow customers to transfer at any stop in the city. Pease 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.

Transit Rates (2020)

	Details	Cash	Tickets	30-Day
Children	5 and under	free	free
Student	Applies only to elementary/secondary students, and ODSP and Ontario Works Clients. Identification will be required.	$2.50	$2.25	$55.00
Affordable	Applies only to elementary/secondary students, and ODSP and Ontario Works Clients. Identification will be required.	$2.50	$2.25	$57.00
Adults	19 - 64 years	$2.75	$2.50	$67.00
Seniors	65 and older	$2.50	$2.25	$57.00
Day Pass	Single rider and valid until end of service day	$7.00	$7.00
Family Pass	Up to 4 riders with a least one adult and valid until end of service day	$15.00	$15.00

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 special passes) at the following locations:

City Hall, 2nd Floor
Blowes Stationery
Hallmark Cards
Stratford Variety
Sobey's

Transit Service for Industry

Effective December 17, 2018, we have an updated transit service for city factories, provided Monday thru Friday. Click here to review Line #7, Transit Service for Industry.

School Specials

For the more than 400,000 students we transport yearly, we provide school specials starting at 7:30am until 8:45am and again at 3:05pm starting at Northwestern then St. Michael’s.

Below are the new special routes that will start Sept. 2019. Due to the anticipated increase in student ridership because of the closure of Central high school these routes could possibly be adjusted over time based on ridership statistics.

#1 School Special – East End/ Devon (Morning)

07:27 – Depart from the Transit Terminal. (Follow East End Route. Note minor alterations).

Left onto Downie Street
Right onto Douro Street
Left onto Romeo Street
Right onto Oxford Street
Right onto Burritt Street
Left onto Douro Street
Continue onto C.H Meier Boulevard
Right onto Avonwood Drive
Left onto C.H Meier Boulevard
Right onto Ontario Street
Direct to Northwestern & St. Michaels

08:05 – Start from Gordon St. (Follow Devon Route).

Left onto Gordon Street
Right onto Willow Street
Left onto Devon Street
Right onto Romeo Street
Right onto Vivian Line 37.
Right onto Fairfield Drive
Right onto McCarthy Road East
Left onto Mornington Street
Left onto Glendon Road
Right onto Dawson Street
Left onto Delamere Avenue
Right onto Romeo Street
Right onto Brunswick Street
Right onto Waterloo Street
Left onto Ontario Street
Right onto Huron Street
Right onto Huntingdon Avenue
Left onto Hibernia Street
Right onto Forman Avenue
Left onto Oakdale Avenue
Arrive at Northwestern & St. Michael’s

#1 School Special East End/Devon (Afternoon)

15:00 – Arrive at Northwestern (Pull up to the Northwestern sign for loading)

15:05 – Depart Northwestern. Proceed to St. Michael’s

Left onto O’Loane Avenue
Left onto Huron Street
Left onto Ontario Street
Right onto Downie Street
Arrive at Transit Terminal.

15:20 – Depart Transit Terminal. (Follow East End route/Devon. Note minor adjustments).

Left onto Downie Street
Right onto Douro Street
Left onto Romeo Street
Right onto Oxford Street
Right onto Burritt Street
Left onto Douro Street
Continue onto C.H Meier Boulevard.
Right onto Avonwood Drive
Left onto C.H Meier Boulevard
Right onto Ontario Street
Right onto Gordon Street
Right onto Willow Street
Left onto Devon Street
Right onto Romeo Street
Right onto Vivian Line 37.
Right onto Fairfield Drive
Right onto McCarthy Road East
Left onto Mornington Street
Left onto Glendon Road
Right onto Dawson Street
Left onto Delamere Avenue
Right onto Romeo Street
Right onto Brunswick Street
Left onto Waterloo Street
Left onto Downie Street. End Route

#2 School Special - Huron/McCarthy (Morning)

07:27 – Depart from the Transit terminal. (Follow Huron route. Note minor alterations).

Left onto Downie Street
Left onto Ontario Street
Right onto Huron Street
Left onto O’Loane Avenue
Left onto Cody Drive
Left onto Sir Adam Beck Road
Left onto Dennecker Road
Right onto O’Loane Avenue
Right onto Huron Street
Right onto Matilda Street
Left onto Douglas Street
Right onto Forman Avenue
Left onto Cawston Street
Left onto Huntingdon Avenue
Right onto Huron Street
Left onto Ontario Street
Right onto Downie Street
Arrive at Transit Terminal. (Pull into spot # 8)
Take all kids from Huron and the other buses including the school specials.

07:57 – Depart Transit Terminal. (Follow McCarthy route. Note Minor alterations).

Left onto Downie Street
Left onto Ontario Street
Right onto Huron Street
Right onto John Street North
Left onto Britannia Street
Right onto Forman Avenue
Left onto Oakdale Avenue. Stop at North Western. Continue to St. Michaels stop.
Right onto Matilda Street
Right onto Short Street
Left onto Forman Avenue
Right onto Fraser Drive
Right onto McCarthy Road. W.
Left onto Graff Avenue
Right onto Kemp Crescent
Right onto Graff Avenue
Left onto Mornington Street
Right onto McCarthy Road West
Left onto Greenwood Drive
Left onto Waddell Street
Left onto Warwick Road
Right onto Glastonbury Drive
Left onto Princess Street
Right onto Mornington Street
Right onto Britannia Street
Right onto Forman Avenue
Left onto Oakdale Avenue
Arrive at Northwestern & St. Michael’s

#2 School Special McCarthy/Huron (Afternoon)

15:00 – Arrive at Northwestern

15:05 – Depart Northwestern. Proceed to St. Michael’s

15:10 – Run direct to Terminal

Return to Northwestern and St. Mikes turning right onto Oakdale Avenue

Left onto O’Loane Avenue
Left onto Huron Street
Right onto Matilda Street
Left onto Douglas Street
Right onto Forman Avenue
Left onto Cawston Street
Right onto Huron Street
Left onto John Street North
Left onto Britannia Street
Right onto Forman Avenue
Left onto Oakdale Avenue
Right onto Matilda Street
Right onto Short Street
Left onto Forman Avenue
Right onto Fraser Drive
Right onto McCarthy Road West
Left onto Graff Avenue
Right onto Kemp Crescent
Right onto Graff Avenue
Left onto Mornington Street
Right onto McCarthy Road West
Left onto Greenwood Drive
Left onto Waddell Street
Left onto Warwick Road
Right onto Glastonbury Drive
Left onto Princess Street
Right onto Mornington Street
Left onto Waterloo Street
Left onto Downie Street. End route

#3 School Special – Queensland/Downie (Morning)

07:27 Depart Transit Terminal. (Follow Queensland route. Note minor alterations).

Left onto Downie St.
Left onto St. Patrick St.
Left onto Birmingham St.
Right onto Cambria St.
Left onto St. Vincent St. S.
Right onto West Gore St.
West Gore turnaround.
Right onto Erie St.
Right onto Lorne Ave.
Right onto St. Vincent St. S.
Left onto Easson St.
Left onto John St. S.
Left onto Queensland Rd.
Right onto Freeland Dr.
Left onto McGregor St.
Right onto Queensland Rd.
Left onto Lorne Ave. W.
Left onto Erie St.
Right onto St. Patrick St.
Right onto Downie St.
Arrive at Transit Terminal.

08:57 Depart Transit Terminal.

Right onto Downie St.
Left onto Shakespeare St.
Left onto Front St.
Right onto Regent St.
Right onto Romeo St S.
Right onto Norfolk St.
Left onto Borden St.
Right onto Simcoe St.
Left onto Morgan St.
Right onto Lorne Ave E.
Right onto Downie St.
Right onto Bruce St.
Left onto Essex St.
Right onto Elgin Cres.
Left onto Borden St.
Left onto Norfolk St.
Left onto Downie St.
Right onto Whitelock St.
Right onto Home St.
Left onto Brydges St.
Left onto Louise St.
Right onto Whitelock St.
Right onto Oak St.
Left onto Dufferin St.
Left onto Maple Ave.
Left onto Home St.
Right onto Player St.
Left onto Downie St.
Left onto West Gore St.
Right onto Cambria St.
Right onto Erie St.
Left onto Ontario St.
Right onto Huron St.
Right onto Huntingdon Ave.
Left onto Hibernia St.
Right onto Forman Ave.
Left onto Oakdale Ave.
Arrive at Northwestern & St. Michael’s

#3 School Special Queensland/Downie (Afternoon)

15:00 – Arrive at Northwestern

15:05 – Depart Northwestern. Proceed to St. Michael’s go direct to terminal.

Left onto Downie Street
Left onto St. Patrick Street
Left onto Birmingham Street
Right onto Cambria Street
Left onto St. Vincent Street South
Right onto West Gore Street
West Gore turnaround.
Right onto Erie Street
Right onto Lorne Avenue
Right onto St. Vincent Street South
Left onto Easson Street
Left onto John Street South
Left onto Queensland Road
Right onto Freeland Drive
Left onto McGregor Street
Right onto Queensland Road
Left onto Lorne Avenue West
Left onto Erie Street
Right onto St. Patrick Street
Right onto Downie Street
Left onto Shakespeare Street
Left onto Front Street
Right onto Regent Street
Right onto Romeo Street South
Right onto Norfolk Street
Left onto Borden Street
Right onto Simcoe Street
Left onto Morgan Street
Right onto Lorne Avenue East
Right onto Downie Street
Right onto Bruce Street
Left onto Essex Street
Right onto Elgin Crescent
Left onto Borden Street
Left onto Norfolk Street
Left onto Downie Street
Right onto Whitelock Street
Right onto Home Street
Left onto Brydges Street
Left onto Louise Street
Right onto Whitelock Street
Right onto Oak Street
Left onto Dufferin Street
Left onto Maple Avenue
Left onto Home Street
Right onto Player Street
Left onto Downie Street
Left onto West Gore Street
Right onto Cambria Street
Right onto McKenzie Street
Right onto St. David Street
Left onto Downie Street End route

Stratford Transit Charters

We can provide special transit service for in-town charters. The rate is $85.00 per hour, plus taxes.To book your charter, please contact us at 519-271-0250 extension 405 during regular business hours.

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

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

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.

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.

Sunday On-Demand Transit Service

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.

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.

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