Bus News Fall 2023

Schedule & Service Updates

Beginning Sunday, September 3, 2023 HSR is improving service as part of year seven of the City of Hamilton’s Ten-Year Local Transit Strategy. These changes will ensure HSR continues to support growth, enhance connectivity, and improve our customers’ experiences while using transit.

A $0.10 increase on PRESTO fares and a $0.25 increase on cash fares will go into effect on Friday, September 1, 2023.

Changes for the fall 2023 schedule include:

• All-day Sunday express service on routes 10 B-Line and 20 A-Line which means express service will run 7 days a week on these two routes.
• Route 5 extending to King and Hwy 8 and Mount Albion Loop
• Improved connections to/from Stoney Creek by extending route 55 to Winona Crossing, and route 55A to the Stoney Creek Municipal Service Center.

Fall 2023 Stoney Creek Service Changes Map(PDF, 2.63 MB)

All fall schedules to follow in the coming weeks
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  Route Changes

• Route 1 – Sunday’s Fiesta Mall tail is being retired. All Sunday trips will end at Eastgate Square. Customers can use route 55/55A to travel to Fiesta Mall.
• Route 5 – Route 5 service to Jones at King will be extended to King at Highway 8. Route 5E service to Quigley at Greenhill will be extended to Mount Albion Loop. (Destination signs and route numbers are also changing.)
• Route 10 – Saturday frequency will be improved to every 10 minutes during the day and 20 minutes during the early evening. New Sunday service will start, running every 15 minutes during the day and every 20 minutes in the evening.
• Route 20 – Below the escarpment, the northbound route will switch from John St. to James St. The southbound route will stay on James St. and will no longer enter Frank A. Cooke Terminal. Route 20 will operate express in the lower city, serving select stops. New Sunday service will start, running every 30 minutes in early morning, every 20 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes in the evening.
• Route 41 – All trips will now go to/from Ancaster Meadowlands to improve connections with routes 5, 16 and 43. The 41A tail will be retired. The neighbourhood surrounding the Brow Building will continue to be serviced by route 33 SANATORIUM.
• Route 55 – Service Route 55 will extend to Winona Crossing at Fifty Road. Route 55A will extend to the Stoney Creek Municipal Service Centre. Sunday service will alternate between 55/55A, running from Eastgate Square every 15 minutes in early morning and evening, and every 20 minutes in late evening.
• Route 58 – The Stoney Creek Local route is being retired. Customers will be able to take route 44 RYMAL from Eastgate Square to King St. and transfer to route 5 DELAWARE.
• Trans-Cab – With the changes to route 55 into Winona, the lower east Trans-Cab zone will change. Customers can transfer to/from Trans-Cab at the existing Jones at Highway 8 location, or the new transfer point at end of line for route 55. The lower west Trans-Cab zone will remain the same.
• 55/58/Trans-Cab Zone Adjustment Map

Stop Changes

James Street has stop changes effective September 3.

Review James St Bus Stop Changes(PDF, 535.6 KB)

Fare Changes

A $0.10 increase on PRESTO fares will go into effect on Friday, September 1, 2023.  The weekly PRESTO loyalty rewards will return to 11 paid trips per week on October 2^nd.

Your PRESTO card must be set to the correct fare type to receive the discounted fare. The PRESTO E-Tickets mobile app can be used for adult, youth and senior fares.

For discounted fares, the Operator may ask to see your ID. You will be required to pay the full adult fare if you do not have it.

How to Set Your Fare Type

Bring proof of your age to HSR’s Customer Service Centre at 36 Hunter St. East (Hamilton GO Centre), Municipal Service Centres (City Hall, Stoney Creek, Dundas, Ancaster), Shoppers Drug Mart or Fortinos locations in Hamilton to set your fare type. 

hamilton.ca/HSRfares

Destination Signs Are Changing

We’re updating some destination signs to make it easier for customers to know where their bus is headed.  These changes will take effect on September 3, 2023.

#TryTransit feat. HSR's Customer Panel

We reached out to our Customer Panel asking panelists to participate in a city-wide campaign encouraging residents to #TryTransit and leave the driving to HSR! Keep a look-out for your fellow riders on billboards, in newspapers, and on social promoting the many benefits of riding with HSR.

Interested in being able to participate in future activities?  The best way to do this is by signing up for our Customer Panel. Being a part of the panel will give you invitations to participate in our research, which may include activities such as: travel log studies, feedback surveys, focus groups and more! You may also be entered into occasional giveaways and draws for small prizes as our way of saying ‘thanks’ for participating.

hamilton.ca/HSRpanel

Back to School Time

If you’re a student taking HSR for the first time, welcome to transit!  We’re so happy you’re riding with us. 😊

As students begin to return to school, we’re reminding everyone about the importance of taking extra safety precautions during your commute.  All transit riders start and end their trip as either a pedestrian or a cyclist.  Learn how you can support safety on Hamilton’s roadways.

hamilton.ca/VisionZero

Fare Assist – Coming in January 2024

After community consultation on a fare program that will address the affordability of transit in Hamilton, the Fare Assist Pilot was approved at Council in July 2023. The pilot will run from January 1, 2024 until June 30, 2026. During this period, two other long term fare programs will be suspended. The goal is to have one program that is easier to use and offers affordable transit to those in need, regardless of age or ability.

hamilton.ca/FareAssist

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