Kingston Transit
 | |
 | |
| Founded | 1962 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | 1181 John Counter Blvd |
| Service area | Kingston, Ontario |
| Service type | Bus service |
| Routes | 19[1] |
| Annual ridership | 6 million[2] (2017) |
| Operator | City of Kingston |
| General Manager | Jeremy DaCosta[3] |
| Website | Official Website |
Kingston Transit operates the transit service in Kingston, Ontario, Canada as well as to the neighbouring community of Amherstview, in Loyalist Township. Major transfer points are at the Kingston Centre,[4] Downtown Kingston (at the corner of Bagot and Brock streets), Cataraqui Town Centre, and Gardiners Town Centre.
Kingston Transit offers service to all three schools of higher education in the region: Queen's University, St. Lawrence College, and RMC. It also offers service to the Kingston Bus Terminal and the railway station.
History
The Kingston Public Transit System began service on July 1, 1962, when the city's Public Utilities Commission took over the operation of transit service from Kingston City Coach, a subsidiary of Colonial Coach Lines. The Kingston Transit name was adopted in 1975.
In 2017, Kingston Transit experienced a record six million rides, which was the fourth consecutive year that ridership grew by more than 10 percent.[2]
Routes
Local
Local routes operate Monday–Saturday from approximately 6:00 am to 11:00 pm and Sunday from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm. They run every 30 minutes Monday–Saturday before 7:00 pm, and every 60 minutes at all other times unless otherwise noted.
| Number | Route Name | Other Terminals | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Lawrence College – Montreal St | Downtown Transfer Point | |
| 2 | Kingston Centre – Division St | St Lawrence College, Downtown, Bus Terminal | |
| 3 | Kingston Centre – Downtown Transfer Point | St Lawrence College | |
| 4 | Downtown Transfer Point – Cataraqui Centre | Kingston Centre | |
| 6 | St Lawrence College – Cataraqui Centre | Gardiners Centre | |
| 7 | INVISTA Centre – Division St / Dalton Ave | Cataraqui Centre, Bus Terminal | |
| 10 | Cataraqui Centre – Amherstview | 60 minute service all-day | |
| 11 | Kingston Centre – Cataraqui Centre | Gardiners Centre | |
| 12 | Highway 15 – Kingston Centre | Downtown | |
| 14 | Crossfield Ave / Waterloo Dr | Cataraqui Centre | Monday–Saturday only |
| 15 | Reddendale – Cataraqui Woods / Cataraqui Centre | Gardiners Centre | |
| 16 | Bus Terminal – Train Station | Kingston Centre | |
| 18 | Train Station Circuit | Bus Terminal, Downtown, St Lawrence College | Irregular schedule, approx. 60 minute service |
Seasonal
Seasonal routes primarily serve Queen's University and only operate from September–April (excluding the period between last exam day in December and first day of classes in January, and Reading Week).
| Number | Route Name | Other Terminals | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Extra Bus | St Lawrence College, Downtown | No fixed schedule, route travels via Queen's University |
| 17 | Queen's Shuttle: Main Campus – West Campus | Operates night time only (until 2:00 am) | |
| 18Q | Queen's Sunday Shuttle | Bus Terminal, Downtown, St Lawrence College | 3 trips per day, Sunday only |
| 20 | Queen's Shuttle – Isabel / Tett Centres | 15 minute service Monday–Friday, day time only |
Express
Express routes operate with a frequency of 10–30 minutes and have stops placed further apart than local routes.
| Number | Route | Direction | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 501 | Cataraqui Centre – Kingston Centre – Downtown – Queen's University / KGH – St. Lawrence College – Cataraqui Centre | Clockwise | 10 minutes during rush hour 15, 20, or 30 minutes at other times |
| 502 | Counterclockwise | ||
| 601 | Innovation Dr – Rideau Town Centre – Downtown – Queen's University / KGH | Southwest | 15 minutes Monday–Friday, before 7pm 30 minutes all other times |
| 602 | Northeast | ||
| 701 | Cataraqui Centre – Kingston Centre – Downtown – King’s Crossing Centre | West | 15 minutes during rush hour 30 minute at other times |
| 702 | East | ||
| 801 | Montreal St. P&R – Downtown – Queen's University / KGH | South | 15 minutes during rush hour 30 minute at other times |
| 802 | North |
Dial-A-Bus
| Number | Service Area | Hours of Operation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | North of Highway 401 and west of the Rideau Canal | Tuesday and Thursday, 10:15 am to 11:45 am, and 2:15 pm to 3:45 pm | Route must be booked 1 day in advance |
Fares
| Category | Cash | Multi-ride Pass (6 tickets) |
Monthly Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child (Ages 0–14) | Free | N/A | N/A |
| Youth (Ages 15–24) | $3.00 | $12.00 | $56.50 |
| Adult (Ages 25–64) | $15.00 | $76.00 | |
| Senior (Ages 65+) | $12.00 | $56.50 |
Kingston Transit fares and My Card rates effective January 1, 2017.[5] Daily and Weekly passes are also available from various transit locations.
Kingston Transit employs a smart card payment system for monthly passes (My Pass) and tickets (My Tickets), which was introduced in August 2008.
Transfers are free for cash fares but must be obtained at the time fare is paid. They are valid for 60 minutes. Payments using My Tickets have transfers automatically stored inside the card.
Queen's University students, who are members of the AMS or SGPS, as well as St. Lawrence College students can ride free, as part of a U-Pass program.[6][7]
Rack and Roll
The current "Rack and Roll" system is used for bicycle transportation. If a customer wishes to bring a bicycle onto the bus, a pull-down rack is located at the outside front of the bus. The rack can currently hold 2 bicycles. It involves 2 slots which the bicycle's wheels fit into. Then, a curved hook fits around the front tire to secure the bike from falling. Rack and Roll is available during the cycling season.[8]
References
- ^ "Kingston Transit profile". Archived from the original on 2006-10-10. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
- ^ a b "Kingston Transit hit a record six million riders in 2017". City of Kingston. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
- ^ http://www.kingstonlife.ca/sitepages/?aid=3423&cn=Viewpoint&an=VIEWPOINT%20-%20CITY%20FILE%20-%20Developing%20Story
- ^ "Kingston Centre Transit Terminal Opens". Archived from the original on 2011-06-13. Retrieved 2008-03-24.
- ^ Kingston Transit Fare Structure
- ^ "City of Kingston, Ontario, Canada - Queen's AMS & Kingston Transit Unveil An Enhanced Bus-It Service". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
- ^ "AMS". Archived from the original on 2009-01-07. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- ^ "Kingston Transit's Rack and Roll". Retrieved 4 February 2014.
April through November
External links
Media related to Kingston Transit at Wikimedia Commons