Bus News Spring 2026

Route & Schedule Changes

Starting Sunday, April 26, 2026, schedules on several routes are being updated to help keep buses running on time and shorten your wait at the bus stop. Plus, some of your favourite seasonal routes are making a comeback! 

New schedules will be available on www.hamilton.ca/HSRschedules or in your favourite trip planning app. Schedules are also available in alternate formats upon request. Please contact HSR Customer Service at [email protected] for assistance.

Bus Stop Changes

With the new service starting on Sunday, April 26, there will be changes coming to several bus stops on the following routes:

Signs will be posted at affected stops.

Seasonal Schedules

Route 9 Rock Gardens (Sundays and holidays)
Service returns on Sunday, May 10, 2026 - Just in time for spring! 

Route 51 University
Service will pause on April 26 and return for McMaster Orientation Week. Wishing all McMaster University students a safe and healthy summer.

Route 56 Centennial (Saturdays, Sundays & holidays) 
Buses will run every 45 minutes between 10 am and 6 pm, but there is no service to Wild Waterworks until June 28, 2026.

Holiday Schedules

Victoria Day - Monday, May 18, 2026 

• Buses will operate on a Sunday schedule.
• No service on 12 Wentworth and 42 Mohawk East. 
• MyRide in Waterdown and Trans-Cab, 6 am to 12 am. 
• HSR Customer Service counter, Hamilton GO Centre is closed. Phone service is available 7-days-a-week, including holidays, from 7:30 am to 8 pm, 905-546-2489. 

Visit hamilton.ca/HSRholiday schedule information.

Phone service is available 7-days-a-week, including holidays from 7:30 am to 8 pm call 905-546-2489.

Unlock the City: HSR for Youth (Ages 13–19)

Hamilton is way too big to explore on foot. Whether you’re hitting the library for a study session, grabbing a coffee downtown with friends, or just trying to get to first period, HSR is your low-cost VIP pass to the city.

• Cheap Seats: Dedicated youth fares because we know your wallet has better things to do.
• The "Secret" Hack: Use HSR’s Weekly Loyalty Program. Hit 11 paid rides between Monday and Sunday, and the rest of your week is totally free. It’s like a "Buy 11, Get the Rest Free" deal for the whole city.
• Tap & Forget It: Use a PRESTO card for the fastest boarding. Link it to the app so if your card goes missing, your balance doesn't.

Learn more about HSR Fares at hamilton.ca/HSRfares

#TransitTip: Tap your card, save your cash, and get where you’re going without the "Where’s my bus change?" panic.

Making the Invisible Visible

HSR is proud to support the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. This program helps people with non-visible disabilities feel seen and supported.

Not all disabilities are visible, and they may affect how people use transit. You can choose to wear a Sunflower lanyard or wristband to show that you may need extra time, patience, or help. 

You can wear the Sunflower anytime. When you wear it on the bus, in terminals, at the customer service counter, or at community events, HSR staff will recognize the symbol and understand what it means.

Wearing a Sunflower lanyard or wristband is your choice. You do not need to share or explain your disability to HSR staff or other customers. 

Please be kind to one another. Small acts of understanding make transit better for everyone.

Get your free Sunflower lanyard or wristband:

• Visit the HSR Customer Service Counter inside the Hamilton GO Centre
• Email [email protected]
• Call 905-528-4200, option 9

Learn more at hamilton.ca/sunflower

Faster taps and smarter travel with the latest upgrades from PRESTO

In late March 2026, PRESTO introduced a new website and updates to its app, making it easier for HSR customers to buy, manage and pay for transit all in one place.

Key updates included:

• Real-time transactions and instant loads. Overdraft will no longer be offered on your PRESTO card. 
• Instant transfer of balances from lost or new PRESTO cards.
• Easier card registration and Autoload setup.
• Clear fare info and transfer times when tapping.
• Lock/unlock cards and transfer funds between cards in the same account.
• Integration of PRESTO E-Tickets into the app. PRESTO E-Tickets will expire within one year of purchase.

These updates make it easier than ever to Try Transit and explore Hamilton.

Learn more at prestocard.ca

Lost something on the bus? We can help!

Losing something can be stressful. If you left an item on the bus, we’ll do our best to help you find it.

Call 905-546-2424 ext. 1882
Email [email protected]

To helps us locate your item faster, when you contact us, please share:

• the bus route you were on,
• the date and time you were traveling, and
• a description of the item.

Picking up your lost item
Once we confirm we have your item, you can pick it up at the HSR Customer Service Counter at the Hamilton GO Centre, 36 Hunter St. E., Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Items lost the day before will be available after 11 am.

Lost bike?
Bikes are to be picked up at the Mountain Transit Centre (2200 Upper James St.). Call ahead to schedule a pick-up time.

How long we keep items
Lost items are held for 10 days. After that, they are donated or thrown away.

• Perishable items are thrown out.
• Illegal items are turned over to Hamilton Police Service.

Found an item?
If you spot something left behind on the bus, please give it to the bus driver. They’ll make sure it gets to lost and found. 

Learn more at hamilton.ca/usingHSR

HSR Next: We want to hear from you!

HSR is moving Hamilton forward with HSR Next, the largest update to the city’s transit network in decades. Beginning in 2027, improvements will roll out gradually to create a more connected, reliable and easier-to-use transit system.

As we plan a year ahead for service changes, we will be connecting with you about our annual service plan. There will be opportunities to share your feedback on stop locations, amenities and service schedules.

Learn more & share your feedback at hamilton.ca/HSRNext

Need a closer stop at night?

HSR’s Request Stop has you covered. Your safety is our priority! That’s why HSR offers Request Stop after 8 p.m., allowing you to exit the bus at a safe location along the route, even if it’s not a regular stop. Note: Request Stop is not available on express routes 10 - B-Line & 20 - A-Line.

How it works:

• Ask your driver at least one stop ahead of where you’d like to exit.
• The driver will choose a safe location to stop along the route.
• Always exit through the front doors for better visibility.
• Request Stop is not available on express routes 10 - B-Line & 20 - A-Line.

We’re committed to getting you where you need to go - safely.

Learn more at hamilton.ca/UsingHSR

Speak Up. Speak Out.

"Speak Up, Speak Out." encourages transit customers to report any harassment or hate incidents to Hamilton Police.

• HSR supports the City of Hamilton’s focus to make Hamilton a more welcoming, equitable and inclusive community.
• HSR condemns racism in all forms and is opposed to any imagery, speech or action that is hate-motivated or discriminatory in any shape or form.
• HSR is committed to a welcoming, equitable and inclusive community and condemns any imagery, speech or action that is hate-motivated or discriminatory in any shape or form.

Rate your ride for a chance to win!

Tell us how we did today and enter the monthly $50 PRESTO card giveaway. Learn more at hamilton.ca/HSRsurvey.

Affordable Transit with Fare Assist

Effective January 1, 2026, save 50% on your transit fare with Fare Assist.
Hamilton residents with household incomes below the Low-Income Measure qualify for a 50% Fare Assist discount on single-ride PRESTO fares for themselves and their family. Eligibility is based on Total Household Income, regardless of income source.

Who’s eligible? You may qualify for discounted fares on HSR if:

• You’re receiving Ontario Works or ODSP, Canada Pension Plan disability benefit (CPP Disability), Employment Insurance (EI), or the payments from Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)
• Your household income is below the Low-Income Measure
• You’re a recent refugee or newcomer to Canada

Applying online is the easiest and quickest way to submit your application.

Learn more about Fare Assist