New Transit Network

Effective March 9, 2025, Route 2 was extended to service the Pringle and Sproule neighbourhood as a replacement for the Transit ON Demand Zone G. The extended Route 2 operates every 30 minutes (during peak hours) from Park Place to downtown via the extension to Pringle and Sproule.

The following changes are scheduled to happen this summer: 

• Route 8 will change to better align with the new Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal, once the new Terminal building is open. Additionally, small adjustments such as new routing on Lakeshore Drive, Springdale Drive, and Cundles Road will provide more travel options.
• New Transit ON Demand coverage will be added in the Salem and Hewitt’s area to provide service to new communities in south Barrie. Additionally, a small adjustment to Transit ON Demand Zone D in the Lockhart neighbourhood will better standardize zone sizes. 

Transit ON Demand (ToD) expanded from 1 zone to 5 zones on May 1, 2024. The expanded ToD zones replace some of the scheduled routes as of June 2, 2024. View the phase 1 network changes story map for full details.

To prepare the community for the transit network changes, Barrie Transit overlapped the Transit ON Demand service from May 1 to end of service on June 1, 2024. During this time, the Transit ON Demand zones were available for riders to try for free, while existing scheduled routes remained operational. From May 1 through June 1, 2024, if you started on a Transit ON Demand route, your ride, including transfer, was free of charge. In-person drop-in info sessions took place leading up to the change to give transit riders an opportunity to learn more and ask questions. 

Full Transit ON Demand Info

Phase 1 of the New Transit Network launched on June 2, 2024. See the Phase 1 network map or explore the Phase 1 story map for an overview of the changes. In-person drop-in info sessions took place between April 24–June 13, 2024, to give transit riders an opportunity to learn more and ask questions.

Yes, staff are monitoring for trending feedback with the new network rollout. Please provide detailed feedback about your experience to ServiceBarrie@barrie.ca.

There are no service level changes or impacts to Specialized Transit. While the same model of bus is used for Specialized Transit and Transit ON Demand, we have an increased amount of this vehicle model to accommodate ToD service.

Transit ON Demand (ToD) is a Barrie Transit service without a fixed schedule or route. It is identified by a colour and letter, such as Zone A (Blue). Users can book their trip through an application and then the bus travel is optimized through a computer-based system. ToD operates within a specific zone allowing riders to travel from bus stop to bus stop within the zone, on demand. Typically, a bus will arrive in under 20 minutes.

A scheduled route operates on a fixed route with a trip schedule. Typically, a bus every 30 minutes. 

Please arrive 5 minutes before your departure time for both scheduled and ToD trips.

As part of phase 1 of the New Transit Network, Transit ON Demand expanded to five zones on May 1, 2024. Transit staff continuously monitor ridership numbers. Routes that changed to ToD are in areas with lower ridership. By implementing ToD service in these areas, we’re able to increase coverage throughout Barrie. Examples of increased coverage in phase 1 include: 

• New ToD zones, adding coverage for Lakeside Trail, Amelia Street, Aconley Court, Fairview Road, and Hanmer Street
• Adding the Express Route 400 between Park Place & Georgian College/RVH on Highway 400

The second phase of the New Network adds two additional ToD zones, but ToD will not replace any scheduled routes.

See Transit ON Demand Benefits & More

No, the new network service changes are cost neutral, meaning there is no change to transit funding.