Hamilton City Council Approves HSR Fare Incentives for Ridership Recovery

HAMILTON, ON – HSR fare incentives will help stimulate ridership recovery through innovative service delivery, ensure transit remains affordable during this challenging time and encourage more residents to use transit.

Effective November 1, 2021:

• The enhanced loyalty program will make transit more affordable by enabling customers to earn free fare faster. Customers will enjoy free fare after 8 rides per week rather than the current 11 riders per week until December 31, 2022.
• Children aged 6-12 will ride free with a PRESTO card as part of a pilot project until April 30, 2023.
• To encourage the use of the new HSR myRide on-demand transit service in Waterdown, customers on this route will enjoy free rides on weekdays in November and December from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. when using PRESTO.

HSR ridership and revenue have remained below 2019 levels for the past 18 months due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This trend is expected to continue into 2022.

Additional Resources:

• HSR Fare Incentives for Ridership Recovery (PW21056)

“The pandemic has disproportionately affected vulnerable members of our community. By finding innovative ways to make transit more affordable during this time of recovery, we’ll ensure residents continue to have access to reliable and affordable transportation, ease financial strain and enable greater community participation and connection.”

- Mayor Fred Eisenberger

“HSR fare incentives for ridership recovery are vital to the long-term sustainability and vitality of Hamilton’s transit system. These incentives will help us rebuild our ridership while balancing the needs of our community during this challenging and unique time.”

- Maureen Cosyn Heath, Director of Transit, Hamilton Street Railway