Barrie Transit Bus Service

Quick Guide to Using Barrie Transit

• Get Live-Bus Schedule Information

  Before you leave the house, get real time live bus information by visiting MyRideBarrie.ca or get up-to-the-minute bus arrival times by calling or texting 705-999-8956 & entering your stop number and route.

  Please refer to the MyRide Texting Document (PDF) for more information about how to use this feature. Each bus stop & hub is assigned a specific stop number. Stop numbers are displayed on all bus stop signs and within route maps and schedules; you can also find your stop number ​using myridebarrie.ca/RouteMap.

• Have Your Fare and I.D. Ready

  Have your applicable fare, ride card, pass, transfer and identification card ready when boarding the bus. Please have exact change; bus Operators do not carry money and cannot make change. If you are a Senior (65+), student, a person who is visually  impaired (CNIB), or have been approved to travel with an Attendant, please be prepared to show the appropriate, valid I.D. with your ride card or pass. Failure to display the appropriate identification may result in refusal of service or confiscation of your ride card or pass.

  Photo I.D. for Students

  If a full-time student cannot obtain a valid student photo I.D. card from their educational institution, a Barrie Transit student photo I.D. card can be purchased for $5. A student photo I.D. application form (PDF) must be completed in full by the school administration office. Hard copies of the application are available at the Transit Terminal and sales locations (excludes Georgian College). Qualifying students must be registered in a full-time recognized program with an accredited school or institution. Completed application forms (original copies only) are accepted in person at the Barrie Transit Terminal ticket window (24 Maple Ave).

  Photo I.D. for Attendants

  An Attendant is a support person who assists with communication, mobility, personal care, medical and behavioural needs. Customers who require an attendant must complete and submit a Barrie Transit Attendant Card Application Form (PDF). This card includes photo ID that identifies the cardholder as a person who, because of their disability, needs to be accompanied by a support person and is unable to use conventional public transit service independently.

• Board & Exit the Bus Safely

  Bus stops may have a shelter. When the bus is approaching, exit the shelter and stand near the bus stop sign. If you ride transit with your bike, use the bike rack safely. Board the bus at the front door; exit at the rear when possible. Barrie Transit is pleased to provide accessible buses on all our Conventional transit routes. Buses include accessible features such as hand rails, low floor buses with ramp entry (deployed upon request, maximum weight  600lbs/272 kg) designated courtesy seating with space for two wheelchairs or for any person with a disability who may require the use of this space.

  Announcements & Displays

  Conventional buses are also equipped with pre-boarding announcement and on-board next stop display & announcement systems. This means that before you board the bus will announce the route number and name and while on board each stop is verbally and visually announced through electronic means.

  Please Keep the Aisle Clear

  Please try to keep the aisle clear, & fold strollers upon boarding if possible. Priority Seating must be vacated if seating is required by a person with a disability. Operators will not intervene to enforce this requirement. Transfers can be requested from the Transit Operator when boarding the bus.

• Secure Assistive Devices (Wheelchairs & Scooters)

  Please refer to the Assistive Device Guidelines Information Sheet (PDF).

  Barrie Transit highly recommends the securement of assistive/mobility devices such as wheelchairs and scooters to avoid potential injury. Assistive devices must:

  • Have properly inflated tires
  • Not exceed 30 inches in width and 42 inches in length
  • Have working brakes and apply brakes while the bus is in motion
  • Have proper securement/seatbelts
  • Assistive devices such as a powered wheelchair or vacant scooter must be turned off while the bus is in motion.
  • If the assistive device does not meet this criteria, the passenger may not be accommodated. 

  Passengers travelling on a scooter are encouraged to transfer to a seat.

  Remaining on  the scooter is not safe in the event of an emergency stop or turn.

  Passengers using an assistive device must use all securement or none of  them, lap and shoulder belts as per manufacturer's specification depending on the bus must be used.

• Observe Transit & Safety Guidelines

  The following guidelines help ensure the safety & comfort of all bus passengers:

  • Children should be removed from their strollers when on board; children must be removed from wagons.
  • Priority seating is designated for use as follows:
    • (1) People using wheelchairs or scooter
    • (2) Persons with disabilities
    • (3) Children in strollers
    • Note: Children in strollers will be accommodated, however, should anyone noted in priority (1) or (2) require the wheelchair area, you will be asked to move to another seat and you may need to fold your stroller.
  • Shirts & shoes must be worn.
  • No feet on the bus seats.
  • Inline/roller/ice skates must be removed before boarding.
  • No eating, drinking or loud music permitted on board.
  • Items must be safely contained.
  • No toxic/flammable/hazardous materials on board.
  • Securely leashed/contained and or caged dogs & non-exotic pets under the care and control of the owner at all times are permitted on a Barrie Transit vehicle (except during peak periods: Mon–Fri, 7–9am & 3–6:30pm). All pets must remain off bus seats. Service animals are permitted anytime.
  • Securely leashed/contained and/or caged dogs & non-exotic pets are permitted inside the Downtown Terminal at 24 Maple Avenue. All pets must remain off Terminal seats and benches.
  • Large articles may be permitted on board at the Transit Operator’s discretion providing there is adequate space & they do not block the aisles/doors or inconvenience other riders. The Transit Operator is not required to assist with the boarding & unloading of these articles.
  • No smoking in City facilities, on City property, buses or at bus shelters/stops.
  • Please refrain from wearing heavy scents or perfumes.
  • Please remain behind the yellow line at all times and avoid engaging in lengthy conversations with Operator while the bus in motion.

Transit-Related Initiatives & Projects

• Barrie’s Transit Vision 

  The City of Barrie is building a blueprint for growing our existing transit system to best meet the needs of today's city, while developing a long-term plan for a future network. Barrie's Transit Vision project will redesign the current transit network to create a well-planned route network and infrastructure plan that aligns with the new Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal.

  Learn about Barrie’s Transit Vision

• 2022 Transit Accessibility Campaign

  In January 2022, Barrie Transit launched a campaign to raise awareness of transit accessibility features and encourage customers to consider the needs of others. The EnAbling Change Campaign includes graphics and messaging posted inside Barrie Transit buses and the terminal, and shared on the City's social media channels.

  Learn more about the 2022 Accessibility Campaign

• ​​Electrifying the Barrie Transit Fleet (Pilot Project​)

  On June 28, 2021, City Council adopted a motion​ that endorsed the conversion of the Barrie Transit fleet to battery electric buses (BEBs). Through 2022, $3.35M in funding was secured from within the City and Infrastructure Canada’s Zero Emission Transit Fund to support the pilot. 

  Learn more about the BEB Pilot

• Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal & Downtown Mini Hub

  T​his project consists of building an inter-regional transit hub within the city's Allandale area and a Downtown Mini Hub to host transit services and connections through a more int​​egrated public transit system.​

  Learn About the Project 

• What service is offered on holidays?

  Barrie Transit does not operate on the following holidays:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Good Friday
  • Easter Sunday
  • Victoria Day
  • Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Day

  Special services are provided on Canada Day, Civic Holiday, & Boxing Day and New Years Eve. The City provides transit services on holidays on a demand based need. Certain holidays have shown to have demand and have service. Other holidays do not and therefore don't have service. Transit planning staff continue to monitor demand if adjustments are needed in the future.

• How do transfers work?

  Passengers can transfer routes at any point where two routes connect. Passengers must request a transfer when they first board the bus if they require a transfer to continue along their route. When boarding a bus with a transfer, passengers must scan the barcode transfer ticket on the fare box. If, for any reason the fare box scan option is not available, passengers must then present the transfer to the Operator unfolded and date-side up for inspection. Transfers must NOT be placed in the fare box.

  
  A transfer is valid for 75 minutes from the time of issue and is valid as part of one continuous trip from origin to destination. Please retain your transfer if you need to travel on multiple buses to arrive at your destination.
  Transfers are non-transferable and have no cash value.

• What is the Night Stop program?

  The Night Stop program allows passengers who feel it would be safer to disembark from the bus closer to their destination than the nearest transit stop. The service is in effect from dusk or approx.. 9 p.m. until the end of evening service. Passengers can request the Transit Operator to stop at any safe location (Operator discretion) along a route. Let the transit operator know at least one stop before the location you wish to disembark and leave from the front door.

• I left an article on the bus. Does Barrie Transit have a LOST and FOUND area?

  All articles found on our buses are processed first and will then be taken to the Lost and Found at the Barrie Transit Terminal, 24 Maple Avenue. Processing can take 1-2 business days, therefore we suggest you contact  705-726-4242 or  ServiceBarrie@barrie.ca first before visiting the Terminal. Hours of operation are 7 am - 10 pm daily. Note: due to limited storage space, lost and found items are only held for one week.

• Will there ever be an option to pay bus fare with Presto Cards (like there is in the GTA)?

  Barrie may be part of it in the future. We will accept PRESTO as a visual pass for free bus travel to the GO train. When connecting to the GO Train, your Barrie Transit ride is free if you have GO Transit ticket or Presto Fare Card and your ride is within 30 minutes of arrival or departure train times at Allandale Waterfront or Barrie South GO stations.

• How can I get a shelter or bench installed at my bus stop?

  As part of Barrie Transit’s ongoing commitment to improving customer service on and off the bus, shelter and bench locations are considered based on the following factors:

  • Boarding levels (number of daily transit vehicle boarding’s at the bus stop)
  • Use as a transfer point
  • Proximity to facilities that see high levels of pedestrian usage (i.e. hospitals/medical, schools, malls/businesses, assisted living, etc.)
  • Exposure to inclement weather
  • Sightlines for pedestrians and traffic
  • Availability of physical space at the site and accessibility of area
  • Proximity to underground utilities

  Email your request to ServiceBarrie@barrie.ca