Integration with Transit

In 2017, the City of Hamilton introduced the Mountain Climber Program. This programs allows you to take your bike up or down the escarpment for free on buses that operate on the James Mountain Road/West 5th Cut:

  • Route 20 - A LINE
  • Route 21 - UPPER KENILWORTH
  • Route 33 - SANITORIUM
  • Route 35 - COLLEGE

This is a joint program between Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) and Transportation Planning Services.

How the program works

All Mountain Climbers will need to follow these steps to participate:

  • Wait at a designated Mountain Climber Stop at the bottom or top of James Mountain Road/West 5th Cut
  • When a 20, 21, 33, or 35 bus arrives, secure your bike to the front bike rack. If there are no bicycle rack spaces available, you will have to wait for the next bus. If there are customers waiting at the stop with a bicycle who are going to pay full fare, they must be allowed to load and board the bus first.
  • When you walk on the bus, announce to the operator that you will be riding for free as a Mountain Climber, and that you intend to leave the bus at the first stop at the top/bottom of the escarpment. You may stand or sit near the front of the bus. 
  • At the designated departure stop, leave the bus and remove your bicycle. If you change your mind and decide to ride to a farther stop, you must pay a full fare to the operator at this point.

Mountain Climber Stops

Mountain Climbers are only allowed to participate if they board and leave the bus at the 4 designated Mountain Climber Stops, marked with unique signage. These bus stops are:

  • Northbound:
    • West 5th @ Brantdale
    • St. Joseph's @ James
  • Southbound:
    • James @ Markland
    • West 5th @ Brantdale

Map of Routes and Stops for the Mountain Climber Program

Bus bike racks

  • We have installed bike racks on the entire HSR bus fleet - Bikes on Buses Program
  • GO Transit also uses the same design of bike rack on their bus fleet that connects the Hamilton area to the GTA. Bicycles are also permitted on GO Trains, but check GO Transit for time period restrictions.

Contact us

For questions or comments about the program, contact:
Christie Meleskie
Email: christie.meleskie@hamilton.ca