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Proposed 2022 Transit Operating Budget Highlights

January 21 2022

HAMILTON, ON – HSR remains committed to improving transit options for the residents of Hamilton to support the city’s economic recovery and growth as we continue to navigate the pandemic and beyond. Earlier today, the City of Hamilton’s Transit Division provided the General Issues Committee with an overview of 2022 10-Year Local Transit Strategy planned improvements, updates on the (Re)envision the HSR project, and a look ahead at major initiatives and trends to come in the next few years.
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Modified HSR winter schedule takes effect January 23

January 7 2022

HAMILTON, ON – HSR is adjusting service levels to ensure we can continue to offer consistent service to customers who rely on transit as cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in the community and our workforce. The new schedule will be in operation until Saturday, April 30, 2022. Routes 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 33, 34, 35, 41, 43, 55, 58 will operate a reduced (summer equivalent) schedule and reduced weekday service will continue on Route 51. School extras may operate depending on the status of in-person instruction.
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City of Hamilton is seeking 200 participants for HSR Travel Log Study

November 5 2021

HAMILTON, ON - The information collected during the study will give HSR a greater understanding of customers’ travel patterns, improve its methods for counting the number of trips taken daily, and help improve the customer experience when riding transit. Participants will be selected based on certain criteria to ensure results are representative of HSR’s ridership. Those interested in participating are encouraged to sign up for the HSR Customer Research Panel. If candidates are not selected this time, HSR may ask you to participate in future studies.
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HSR planning for possible service disruptions beginning November 4

October 29 2021

HAMILTON, ON – As the City implements the next phase of the Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Verification Policy, HSR anticipates potential service disruptions related to employees who have not yet fully complied with the policy.  At this point, HSR expects up to 10 per cent of bus operators in Hamilton to be potentially out of compliance with the policy beginning as early as November 4, 2021.
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Mountain Climber program expansion to Aldershot GO Station

June 25 2021

HAMILTON, ON – Effective Friday, June 25, 2021, cyclists will be able to connect to the Aldershot GO Station free of charge by boarding the bus at Mountain Climber designated stops along HSR route 18 – Waterdown. To participate, cyclists can board the bus at a designated Mountain Climber stop and secure their bicycle to the bike rack. Once on board, the customer should inform the operator that they are accessing the bus as part of the program and will be getting off at the next Mountain Climber stop that meets their multi-modal trip needs.
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The City of Hamilton welcomes new transit director

June 21 2021

HAMILTON, ON – The City of Hamilton is pleased to announce that Maureen Cosyn Heath will be leading the Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) as the City of Hamilton’s new transit director.   Maureen brings more than 20 years of transit leadership experience to the role. Since 2008, she served as the original chief administrative officer at Southwestern Ontario Student Transportation Services (SOSTS). In this capacity, she led the development of every business process that enabled the successful administration of the consortium’s bussing services.
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General Issues Committee reviews preliminary 2021 transit budget

January 22 2021

Hamilton, ON - The Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City’s General Issues Committee heard today. HSR’s 2021 budget included an overview of the impacts of the pandemic, an update on the 10-year Transit Strategy and a look at the major trends in facing HSR in 2021. COVID-19 impacts resulted in several service adjustments and operational changes to prioritize the health and safety of staff and customers. These changes have included:
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HSR Launches a New Mobile App for Trip Planning: HSRnow

September 8 2020

HAMILTON, ON - In a continuing effort to make public transit the first choice of transportation for residents in Hamilton, earlier today, HSR launched HSRnow, a new mobile app for iOS and Android devices. The launch of the app comes at a great time for customers, as HSR prepares to welcome back more customers and implemented schedule changes on September 6.
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Service Changes for HSR

August 20 2020

Hamilton, ON – Beginning Sunday, September 6th, HSR will return to weekday service at a summer level on most routes, with the equivalent of a 100% seated capacity. This would mean a combination of seated/standing 30 customers on a 40-foot bus and 50 customers on a 60-foot articulated bus. Note: the seats closest to the operator on the NOVAS will remain blocked and there is no plan to move the yellow lines.
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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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