GRT to upgrade about 70 bus stops in Waterloo Region

Starting next week, Grand River Transit will begin work to upgrade about 70 different bus stops throughout the region.

From new bike racks and shelters to concrete bus pads, lighting and sidewalk connections, the improvements aim to increase accessibility and ridership.

“One of our goals is to improve the comfort, safety and convenience of public transit,” said Eric Pisani, transit development planner with the region.

But frequent transit users need not worry — the stops will stay open throughout construction work this summer and fall.

“The stops might be pulled back a bit so customers are not waiting near construction work,” Pisani added.

These upgrades are one of several Grand River Transit projects that the federal government will help pay for. Earlier this year, Ottawa gave the region’s bus system $15.1 million for new buses, voice-radio equipment, on-board cameras and more.

On top of adding concrete bus pads and improved walkways, Grand River Transit plans to install 100 new bike racks and 40 new bus shelters.

Most of the work will be finished by late August with some of the heavier construction — such as bus shelter installation — lasting into October, Pisani said.

Brand new bus stops will also be installed on the region’s newest route, the 205 Ottawa iXpress. It will run from the Sunrise Centre to Lackner Boulevard with stops at 15 intersections along the way.

The new express route will be ready to run in 2018.

The region is paying for a little more than half of the $1.2-million work on bus shelters and bus pads while the federal government is pitching in the rest.

There is a list of bus stops that will be under construction this summer available on Grand River Transit’s website at www.grt.ca/en/schedulesmaps/bus-stop-upgrades.aspx.