Barrie Transit’s New Network will be implemented in two phases. Phase 1 of the new network will launch on June 2, 2024. Phase 2 implementation is expected to be complete in 2025. Please read the March 20th memo to Council for more detail.
Information sessions on the New Transit Network are taking place at various locations until June 13, 2024. Join us to learn more about the new network!
Phase 1 Key Highlights
- Introduces Express, Frequent, Local, and Transit ON Demand routes
- New Express Route 400 between Park Place & Georgian College/RVH on Highway 400 with 30-minute frequency operating from 7am–7pm on weekdays and 9am–7pm on Saturdays
- Added service coverage on Hanmer Street, Lakeside Trail, and Amelia Street
- Cost neutral operating costs
- Maintaining existing transit operating service start and end times
Phase 1 Timeline
May 1, 2024
Transit ON Demand (ToD) expanded from 1 zone to 5 zones on May 1, 2024. The expanded ToD zones will replace some of the existing scheduled routes. View the phase 1 network changes story map for full details.
To prepare the community for the transit network changes, Barrie Transit is overlapping the Transit ON Demand service from May 1 to end of service on June 1, 2024. During this time, the Transit ON Demand zones are available for riders to try for free, while existing scheduled routes will remain operational. From May 1 through June 1, 2024, if you start on a Transit ON Demand route, your ride, including transfer, will be free of charge.
June 2, 2024
Phase 1 of the New Transit Network will launch. See the Phase 1 network map or explore the Phase 1 story map for an overview of the changes.
Benefits
The new transit network will provide:
- Express Service: Directly connecting users between RVH/Georgian College, Bayfield Street, Essa Road, and Park Place via a bus route on Highway 400.
- Frequency: 70% of existing transit customers with access to a 15-minute frequent route in the New Transit Network for a portion of their trip.
- Trip Times: Cross city transit trips reduced by approximately 13%.
- Employment Access: Residents have access to approximately 24% more jobs within a 30- minute transit travel time.
- New Transit Coverage: Benson, Hanmer, Lakeside Terrace, Amelia, Morrow, Caplan, and King.
- Capital Budget Reduction: The peak vehicle requirements for the New Transit Network would see a change in the service vehicle types that would result in over $10M capital cost reductions for growth or replacement vehicles in the 10-year capital plan.
- Operating Budget Cost Neutral: These service changes have been built to be cost neutral in terms of operating hours due to the Transit ON Demand service model, which allows the service to maintain (and add) coverage in an efficient manner across low transit demand areas of the city.
- Improved Travel Freedom: The new transit network aims to connect as many people as possible to as many destinations as possible so that residents have as many social choices and employment opportunities as possible.
Background
On June 21, 2023, City Council approved the implementation of a new transit network for Barrie. Key highlights of the new network include improved frequency, reduced trip times, better access to employment areas, coverage to new areas of the city and improved travel freedom for riders. Development of the new transit network, part of the Transit Vision project, included public consultation.
The June 2023 staff report includes the recommended motions that support the implementation of a New Transit Network developed through the Transit Vision project. A presentation on Barrie Transit's New Network Vision took place at an Infrastructure & Community Investment Committee meeting on May 31, 2023:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about Transit ON Demand? View full Transit ON Demand Info & FAQs.