Barrie Transit Bus Service

Quick Guide to Using Barrie Transit

• Plan your Trip

  Plan your trip on Barrie Transit with the Transit App! The Transit App offers the only trip planning tool for the full Barrie Transit network, as it includes both Transit ON Demand and fixed route schedules. 

  The Transit App is integrated with the Barrie TOD app, so Transit ON Demand riders can plan their journey in the Transit App and easily book their corresponding Transit ON Demand trip!

  Download the Transit App

  Google and myridebarrie.ca/TripPlanner are alternative trip planning tools, but please note they do not offer trip planning for the full Barrie Transit network, as they do not include the Transit ON Demand service. 

• Get Live-Bus Schedule Information for Fixed Routes

  Visit myridebarrie.ca for detailed schedule information on your desired fixed route, including real-time bus arrival information. 

  For fixed routes, predicted arrival times are also available by texting/calling 705-999-8956 and entering your stop number. Please refer to the MyRide Texting Document 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/Pass 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 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. 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 Advertising Opportunities

• Bus Exterior/Interior Advertising

  Pattison Outdoor Advertising
  Ryan Huston, Account Executive
  2700 Matheson Blvd, Suite 500, West Tower, Mississauga, ON L4W 4V9
  705-726-4747 • Fax: 705-444-1128 • rhuston@pattisonoutdoor.com 
  www.pattisonoutdoor.com

• Shelter Advertising

  OutEdge Media
  Scott Connell, National Account Manager
  416-835-5204  
  scott.connell@outedge.ca
  www.outedge.ca

• Bench Advertising

  Creative Outdoor Advertising
  Pat Patel​​​
  2402 Stouffville Road • Gormley ON L0H 1G0 • Canada
  416-802-5904 •  PatPatel@CreativeOutdoor.com​
  www.creativeoutdoor.com

• 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 90 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)?

  It is not certain if there will ever be an option to pay Barrie Transit fares with Presto Cards. At this time, Barrie Transit riders can use the HotSpot app or website to purchase transit fares online.

  Barrie Transit accepts 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

• Is the Transit App the City’s official app for transit trip planning?

  The City supports a variety of trip planning apps that meet transit customers' needs, including:

  • myridebarrie.ca/TripPlanner
  • Google
  • Transit App

  Google and MyRideBarrie do not offer trip planning for the full Barrie Transit network, as they do not include the Transit ON Demand service. For trips that may include Transit ON Demand zones, we recommend Transit App for trip planning due to its integration with the Transit ON demand zones.

• How do Transit staff ensure the information in the Transit App is accurate?

  Transit App uses publicly available data provided by the City of Barrie. Staff also monitor results to proactively address any inaccuracies.

• How do I know my data is safe when using the Transit App?

  Please refer to Transit App's Privacy Policy for information on your data using Transit App.