How To Ride

Priority seating is for the use of passengers with a disability. These seats are located close to the front of the vehicle. Customers are expected to respect and obey the purpose of the designated seating area, which means:

If you are sitting in one of these designated seats, you MUST vacate the seat for any passenger with a disability.

The Rider’s Guide shows locations where you can transfer from one route to another, to make getting to your destination faster and even more convenient.

Please be sure to ask your Bus Operator for a transfer slip and to radio ahead to the Operator of the connecting bus to confirm the connection.

Transfers are only valid at transfer points between two routes ridden in succession. The two trips must be part of a continuous trip from origin to destination on the date of issue. Transfers are not a “stop-over” and should be requested when fare is deposited

Animals

• Certified Service Animals are allowed on all St. Catharines Transit Commission buses (identified by collar, neckerchief, vest or harness, with certification from a professional institution).
• Non-certified small dogs and animals are also allowed on all St. Catharines Transit Commission operated buses providing they are in actual animal carriers. The animal must be carried at all times by the passenger, not bother other passengers, not take up a seat and not cause an obstruction in the aisle.
• Acceptable carriers are either rigid plastic, or soft sided vented duffel style. The animal must be completely secured in these carriers.

Bicycles

Bike racks are available on all buses on every route.

Limited bike racks are available at the downtown terminal for parking bikes during regular operating hours only. Overnight parking of bicycles at the downtown terminal is prohibited. These bike racks are for use at your own risk and St Catharines Transit Commission is not liable or responsible for any damaged bicycles, stolen bicycles or other property while using the downtown terminal bike racks.

This rack will expand bicycle access on our buses and provide an alternate mode choice for trips within the Urban Transit Area. It also has the potential to encourage more public transit use.

The bicycle rack can carry most two wheeled bicycles, provided they have a minimum of 16” wheels. The customer should remove loose items such as (water bottles, pump, saddlebags, child carriers etc.) prior to the arrival of the bus.

Luggage and Strollers

When traveling on our public transit bus with a child and stroller there are some safety rules you should know. Please make sure you get a stroller that can be accomodated on St. Catharines Transit buses. SIZE OF THE STROLLER DOES MATTER. We recommend the size should be no more than (50.8 cm wide and 122 cm long) or (20 inches wide and 48 inches long). Larger strollers than specified may have difficulty maneurvering on and off the bus. It is recommended to travel outside peak periods. Brakes must be applied and St. Catharines Transit recommends the child be removed from the stroller. For the safety of all passengers the stroller MUST NOT block the aisles. The PRIORITY SEATING SEATS that fold up are for WHEELCHAIRS, SCOOTERS, and STROLLERS. Strollers must give priority to a wheelchair or scooter.

Lost and Found

Please call (905) 687-5555 if you think you have lost anything on a St. Catharines Transit bus. If at all possible please have the time of day and route/bus number you were on so that we can  locate your item. Call our administration office between 8:30 am to 4:20 pm Monday to Friday.

Passengers can check with the customer service counter located within the downtown terminal to see if an item has been turned in outside of our administration office hours.

Please note that unclaimed items may be discarded after two weeks

Safety & Security

The following guidelines help ensure the safety & comfort of all bus passengers:For your own comfort and safety, please remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop.If you are travelling on St Catharines Transit and the bus is approaching kindly give a wave with your hand to alert the driver that you want the bus. If the bus approaching is not your bus simply step backwards to indicate that you do not need that bus.

Running for a bus is dangerous and can lead to an accident.

If the bus is already moving away from the stop, don’t chase it or try to get the Transit Operator’s attention. For everyone’s safety, Transit Operators are not encouraged to board passengers once the bus has left the stop. Please be at the stop at least five minutes early.

No skis, toboggans or bikes are permitted on the buses. Hockey equipment is allowed, provided it is kept clear of the aisles. Roller blades/in line skates cannot be worn on the bus. All parcels, knapsacks and other bulky items must be kept clear of the aisle and off the seats.

No eating or drinking or smoking
No food or drink is permitted on the buses. Smoking is prohibited on all buses, bus stop shelters and at the downtown terminal in accordance with City by-laws, Niagara Regional by-laws and Provincial Legislation. This smoking ban also includes the use of electronic cigarettes.

Seniors/Passengers With Children
For your own safety, please take the first available seats when you board the bus. Courtesy seats are at the front of all buses for the elderly or individuals with disabilities.

Keep your bus tidy
Please help us to keep the seats clean. Allowing children to stand on the seats not only makes them dirty, but is also very unsafe. Any articles that you bring with you on the bus, must be taken with you, ie: newspapers, wrappers, tissues, umbrellas, etc.

Behind the Line
When a bus is full of passengers it is important for everyone’s safety that passengers do not stand ahead of the yellow line. This will allow the Transit Operator to have a clear view of their surroundings.

Request a Stop

In the evening, if you wish to exit at a location other than a regular bus stop, simply speak with your bus Operator a block before you wish to get off the bus, and they will let you off as close to your request as is safely possible. It’s that easy!