Some old transit features returning

Riders using Niagara Region Transit (NRT) and its local transit partners in Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Welland, Fort Erie and Pelham will notice some changes in the coming week.

Some transit features eliminated due to COVID-19, such as front-door boarding and fare collection, are being reintroduced.

For Niagara Region Transit, Niagara Falls Transit and Fort Erie Transit, front-door boarding will begin on Monday. Fares will be required on Niagara Falls Transit by Canada Day and by NRT, Fort Erie Transit and Pelham on July 2, when those services resume operating after the holiday.

The co-ordinated changes are an example of efforts of Niagara’s Intermunicipal Transit Working Group, said Matt Robinson, director of Niagara’s GO implementation office.

The transit group — transit staff from all 13 municipalities — is working on issues such as fare integration, fare technology and harmonized policies. “Since COVID changed things in March, the Intermunicipal Transit Working Group has been meeting two to three times a week to ensure alignment of policies, communication, timing,” Robinson said. “It certainly shows the strides we have made in aligning our policies and operational procedures.”

St. Catharines Transit will return to front-door boarding Sunday and fares on July 1.

Welland Transit will return to fare collection and reintroduce service on all eight routes on an hourly frequency from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days per week starting Sunday as well.

Niagara Region Transit is reinstating Routes 40 and 45 between Niagara Falls and St. Catharines on Monday. The route that includes service to Niagara College and the Outlet Collection at Niagara mall both in Niagara-on-the-lake on Monday.

Throughout June, Niagara buses have been retrofitted with Plexiglas bio-barriers to protect drivers and riders and promote social distancing.

A Niagara Region release said Niagara’s transit providers are restricting the number of passengers on its vehicles to support physical distancing.

The release also strongly urged passengers to wear face coverings while using public transit if possible.