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News Releases

COVID-19 Update: Updates from the City of Hamilton

April 3 2020

Bus-stop to bus-stop DARTS service for some HSR customers HAMILTON, ON – Earlier today, Mayor Fred Eisenberger joined Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Medical Officer of Health, and the City’s Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) Director, Paul Johnson, to update media and the community on the City’s response to COVID-19. As of noon today, there are 138 confirmed cases and two deaths from COVID-19 in Hamilton. More details about cases are available on the City’s website including demographics, risk factors, exposure, etc.
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COVID-19: HSR Service Update

April 2 2020

HAMILTON, ON – To ensure physical distancing for operators and customers, effective Friday April 3rd, 2020, HSR has implemented changes in how service will be delivered. We can’t stress enough: travel on public transit is for essential trips only. Please leave public transit for those who really need to be on the bus at this time for essential reasons (ie. to get to work or medical appointments). 
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COVID-19 Update: HSR asking customers to travel only if absolutely necessary, changes to waste collections and other updates

March 23 2020

HAMILTON, ON – Earlier today, Mayor Fred Eisenberger joined Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Medical Officer of Health, and the City’s Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) Director, Paul Johnson, to update media and the community on the City’s response to COVID-19. As of noon today, there are 32 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Hamilton. At the time of this media release, City staff are reviewing the Province of Ontario’s announcement from earlier today. More information related to essential and non-essential City services will be available tomorrow.
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HSR and DARTS service update

March 20 2020

HAMILTON, ON - In our continued effort to keep you informed we wanted to share this update to help with the concern’s customers may have regarding the move to a Saturday level of service, and what is being done at HSR to help stop the spread of the virus. All decisions are being made in consultation with the Union executive and City of Hamilton’s Public Health and Emergency Operations Centre teams to ensure there is a reliable and sustainable plan for service to continue over the coming weeks.
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COVID-19 Update: Loading HSR buses through rear doors

March 18 2020

HAMILTON, ON – The City of Hamilton today is announcing additional proactive measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Hamilton. Beginning tomorrow, March 19, until at least April 5, HSR customers are being asked to board buses from the rear doors only, and to keep a fair distance from the bus operators and other customers. Only customers with personal mobility devices (PMD) will permitted to enter and exit through the front door. As a result, HSR will not be collecting fares until further notice.
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Update on current HSR Service

March 13 2020

HAMILTON, ON – With a rapidly changing COVID-19 situation, the City of Hamilton is undergoing proactive measures to prevent the spread of the virus. HSR is committed to providing a service that meets the needs of our customers.
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Westbound direction of Stone Church Road closed beginning Monday

January 30 2020

HAMILTON, ON - In order for crews to replace watermain valves, the City of Hamilton will close the westbound lanes of Stone Church Rd W between Matthew St and Garth St beginning on Monday, February 3 at 9 a.m. for approximately 3 months. The project is expected to wrap up on or before Thursday, April 30, 2020. Sidewalks on both sides of the road will remain accessible to pedestrians. Motorists travelling westbound should follow designated detour routes along West 5th St or Upper James St to Rymal Rd W.
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City of Hamilton and transit union reach tentative agreement

December 18 2019

HAMILTON, ON - The City of Hamilton and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 107 have reached a tentative agreement. The parties met today and were able to resolve the remaining issues in dispute.  The agreement is subject to ratification by the ATU membership and City Council.  There will be no labour disruption given the commitment of both parties to recommend the agreement for ratification.  Further details will be released upon ratification. ATU Local 107 represents HSR bus operators, mechanics and other transit workers.
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City of Hamilton and ATU 107 bargaining update

December 17 2019

Hamilton, ON – On December 2, 2019, the Ontario Minister of Labour released what is commonly referred to as a 'no-board' notice. The issuance of this notice starts the timelines for a legal strike or lockout that is permitted upon the 17th day from the date of its issue. This means that the parties will be in a legal strike/lockout position at 12:01 am on December 19, 2019. The City and the ATU go back to the bargaining table on Wednesday, December 18, 2019. The City of Hamilton remains hopeful that a negotiated settlement can be reached.
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City of Hamilton and ATU 107 Bargaining Update

December 2 2019

HAMILTON, ON – Since February 2019, the City of Hamilton, and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 107 which represents HSR bus operators, mechanics and other transit workers have been working together at the bargaining table to reach a negotiated contract settlement. For six days, that began on October 31, the parties have been accompanied by a provincially appointed conciliation officer requested to assist the parties in reaching a settlement. Unfortunately, a settlement could not be reached.
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Get on Board the Consultation Bus and Help Us (Re)envision the HSR!

November 4 2019

Hamilton, ON - Earlier this year the City of Hamilton’s Transit Division began a comprehensive community engagement campaign to (Re)envision the HSR. A survey designed by world-class transportation experts at McMaster University ran until April 2019, receiving tremendous community uptake by current and future targeted customers across the city. The nearly 6,000 responses are being used in the next phase, where we are analyzing the results and engaging with residents through community events, activities and platforms.
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50-year HSR Operator Maurice Powell Marks Milestone Service with Mohawk College legacy and Arkells Tribute

August 19 2019

HAMILTON, ON – Earlier today, representatives from Mohawk College and Trapeze Group North America joined City of Hamilton staff at the HSR’s Mountain Transit Centre to congratulate Maurice Powell on his 50th Anniversary as an Operator with the HSR. This achievement makes him the first transit operator, and only second employee in the history of the City of Hamilton, to reach the 50 year service milestone.
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Updates to HSR Routes - Fall 2019

August 19 2019

HAMILTON, ON – This fall, we’re implementing updates as we continue to improve frequency, enhance routes and adjust stops as part of our Council approved 10-Year Local Transit Strategy. Changes will take effect Sunday September 1st, 2019. Details of these updates can be found in the Fall 2019 Bus News. For more information, please visit www.hamilton.ca/hsr, or pick up a route timetable from HSR Customer Service (36 Hunter Street East) and at the MacNab Transit Terminal.
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Operator Maurice Powell celebrates 50 years with HSR!

August 16 2019

HAMILTON, ON – Monday August 19th, 2019 marks a significant day for Transit. 50 years ago, Operator Maurice Powell joined the HSR - making him the first transit operator, and only second employee in the history of the City of Hamilton to reach this milestone! Joined by staff, family and friends, Hamilton City Council recognized Maurice at the start of their Council meeting this morning.
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Mountain Climber pilot program expanded

July 12 2019

HAMILTON, ON - Earlier today, Hamilton City Council approved an expansion of the Mountain Climber pilot program to include all accesses the HSR operates on throughout the city. This program allows cyclists to take an HSR bus up or down the escarpment for free. Details for an official launch, which will take effect Thursday August 1, 2019, will be shared in the coming weeks.
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HSR Testing Second Electric Bus

April 24 2019

HAMILTON - HSR began testing electric buses at the beginning of December 2018. This week we have an Ebus from Proterra, the second model (of three,) that we will be testing over the next few months.
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Updates and Changes to HSR Routes

April 9 2019

HAMILTON, ON - As we continue to build a more modern HSR service that improves the customer experience, effective April 28 2019, HSR will be implementing changes affecting the following routes: Re-routing of Route 7 LOCKE due to construction will begin on April 28 and remain in effect for the duration of the project. Re-routing buses will require customers to walk into the Locke St shopping district, but will allow buses on routes 7, 8 and 6 (they are all interlined) to maintain schedule integrity.
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City of Hamilton - Transit Division begins a comprehensive community engagement campaign to (Re)envision the HSR

January 21 2019

Hamilton, ON - On Tuesday January 22nd, 2019, the City of Hamilton’s Transit Division begins a comprehensive community engagement campaign to (Re)envision the HSR. We want to hear from as many of our past, current and potential customers as possible to hear what they have to say about this important city-building initiative, and to learn what they need from our transit service today and in the future.
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Bus Shelter Replacements

January 11 2019

Hamilton, ON - As part of HSR’s 2019 Shelter Renewal Program, funded through PTIF Phase 1 (50% Municipal and 50% Federal), this month we will begin to replace approximately 500 transit shelters throughout the City of Hamilton, with the first 45 replacements scheduled to start January 15, 2019. Replacing our transit shelters is part of a broader strategy as we continue to build a more modern HSR service that improves the customer experience.
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HSR will be providing FREE late-night service on New Year’s Eve

December 28 2018

HAMILTON, ON – In a continuing effort to improve the experience of our customers, HSR will offer free late-night service on most routes until approximately 2:30 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. This late night-service will ensure our customers have safe transportation home after they ring in 2019. Customers can ride the HSR for free starting at 6 pm on December 31, 2018. HSR will run all routes that typically run on Sundays on New Year’s Eve, with the last buses running until approximately 2:30 am. View the latest Bus News for HSR Holiday schedules.
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