This project consists of building an inter-regional transit hub within Barrie's Allandale area and a Downtown Mini Hub to host transit services and connections through a more integrated public transit system, which are operational as of September 21, 2025.
Major Project Components
Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal
The new transit terminal is located within Barrie's Allandale area at 20 Essa Road (Essa Road/Tiffin Street) and serves as an inter-regional transit hub providing:
- Seamless connections between GO Trains/Buses and Ontario Northland
- Integrated transit access to Simcoe County, Northern Ontario, and the Greater Toronto Area
- Local Barrie Transit services
- Transit fare sales for Barrie Transit and Ontario Northland
Downtown Mini Hub
Downtown transit services continues at the new Downtown Hub on Maple Avenue, adjacent to 24 Maple Avenue. The Hub features bus stops and sheltered waiting areas, including two large, heated shelters with real-time bus displays. It maintains current service levels while providing direct and convenient access to and from the downtown area. GO Transit continues operating from the same platform at 24 Maple Avenue, for the time being.
Reducing the footprint of the previous terminal at 24 Maple Avenue within the downtown, while preserving route coverage, supports downtown revitalization objectives and provides continued access to Barrie's busiest destination.
To align with the new Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal opening on September 21, 2025, changes to Barrie Transit Route 8 have been made to streamline routing to the new terminal.
Project Updates
September 22, 2025
- Both the Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal and Downtown Mini Hub are operational, as of September 21, 2025.
- The public art work, Exhale, has been installed on site at the Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal.
- Minor construction activities will continue at the Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal to complete deficiencies, training, commissioning and deferred work items.
- At the Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal site, archaeological monitoring and associated burial site investigations are ongoing. The scope of work affected by the burial site investigation is on hold until the investigation has been cleared. This work includes permanent power, solar power, the café kiosk, signage wall, platforms 9 and 10 and part of the multi-use path.
Previous Updates
Access During Construction
During construction of the Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal, there was no access at Allandale Station to specific bus platforms or the Lakeshore and Tiffin intersection pick-up and drop-off area. Bus detour plans were available at MyRideBarrie.ca/news.
Access remained open to the GO Train and platforms, eastern vehicle access to the pick-up and drop-off area, vehicle pick-up and drop-off area, pedestrian tunnel to and from Gowan Street.
Public Art
The project includes a commissioned work of public art in the outdoor plaza at the Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal. The location was predetermined by the site design and the sculpture was installed as part of the construction project scope. Renderings are included in the photos below.
Learn about the approved public art
Support & Funding
The Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal and Downtown Mini Hub is supported and funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) and the City of Barrie.
Project Benefits
There are many anticipated benefits from building a new transit terminal within Barrie's Allandale area. The project will:
- support Barrie Transit growth to best meet the needs and goals of today, and tomorrow.
- increase transit access to the Allandale GO station to provide a more sustainable travel choice and address parking constraints.
- provide seamless connections for Transit Riders between GO Trains/Buses and Ontario Northland for integrated transit access to Simcoe County, Northern Ontario and the GTA.
- provide a geographically centralized hub within the city.
- provide a safer transit site by encouraging safe circulation and linkages between bus, vehicular, and pedestrian traffic.
- provide express bus stops with a lay by on Essa to improve transit travel time.
- support increased ridership and the City's Transportation Master Plan with targets to increase transit modal shares.
- support increased bicycle ridership with covered bike shelters and parking.
- provide easier access to tourism with multiple modes of transportation.
- support the City's Official Plan by building within one of the City's identified intensification and urban growth centre areas to promote growth as well as transit-centric developments.
- provide an extremely efficient building by targeting Net-Zero energy design, which will reduce ongoing operating costs over the life of the building. As part of the Net-Zero terminal design, the bus shelter canopy roofs are equipped with Solar Photovoltaic panels. These panels will provide shelter from the elements to the patrons below, while also converting solar energy into electricity that is put back into the local electrical grid, in partnership with Alectra Inc.
- create an aesthetically pleasing and fully accessible facility that is consistent with the Allandale Historic Train Station to augment the heritage of the area.
- provide backup emergency power necessary to maintain uninterrupted transit services during power outages.
Please visit buildingbarrie.ca/MobilityHub for information on community engagement related to this project.
Presentations
Frequently Asked Questions
Location and Construction
Facility Operation
