By Pepper Parr
March 8th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
This article has been updated and corrected. Kingston Transit is not free.
At some point in the very near future, the Gazette would love to hear the Mayor explain why she has been such a fervent supporter of the transit service.
Burlington Transit gets new buses.
It is important that the public understand that transit is a service, not a business, but a service City Council has decided to provide.
It is free to seniors, it is free to students during specific hours.
It is not heavily used. Those who maintain the buses are running empty most of the time need to take a closer look. It is true that the buses are not always full, it is also true that the buses are not always empty
At this point, the public has chosen to put up with gridlock – that is a choice they make.
It is true that the Transit people have not come up with much in the way of innovative options.
Council can direct Burlington Transit to spend some time and money on piloting possible options.
Transit has a new Director – hopefully, she will give the transit service the energy it needs to provide a service that people will use. The City did in the past have a superb Director of Transit who knew the business. Decisions made by the City Manager at the time resulted in her resigning.
Council members are already in re-election mode, but that doesn’t mean they can step back from their responsibilities.
Mayor Meed Ward needs to remind the public why she championed the transit service we have.
Mayor Meed Ward has championed the idea of free public transit and frequently points to Kingston, where she has said transit is free. A reader pointed out to us that transit in Kingston is not free.
Here is the Kingston transit fee schedule:
It is time for Meed Ward to let the public know that she is still the champion the transit service needs.
It may not be particularly popular, but on this one, Mayor Meed Ward is right.
Related news story
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Bfast reminds the city what public transit is all about.
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Maybe Burlington should take a look at some of the small sized electric buses similar to some they have in Oakville rather than running full size transit, especially on routes they know are only needed at certain times.
“on demand” has been my suggestion from way back. We presently have a way under utilized transit system and no amount of ‘wishful thinking” is going to change that…..This is still and will for sometime, remain a personal vehicle city.
The transit system is uncoordinated and not very punctual As I am led to understand ..
Freebees r not the solution as few take advantage of them ..it is just a way to up usage …it does not work
Empty buses, paid drivers are unsustainable in cost
Perhaps a study of demand transport as in Hamilton should be studied and implemented on a trial basis first in Burlington
Niagara region runs an “on demand” bus service that is far more efficient and cost effective than buying huge expensive bus’s. Or, you can rent a lot of Ubers for the cost of one bus!
I know many seniors who are now using the public transit system. One in particular uses the transit system on a daily basis. However, there are times that it is not feasible because it would take too long to get to the scheduled medical/dental appointment.
I, on the other hand have never been on a bus. It is more convenient to use my car ( as long as I can). Today, Sunday, I was driving down Brant Street towards Lakeshore. The traffic was horrendous. Brant at the best of times can be a nightmare. Today, it is even worse.
There are lanes of traffic blocked off for the construction site at Brant/James. I can only imagine what it will be like when the council in its wisdom allows for summer patios on this street that will take up additional parking/walking spaces.
There is no easy answer but I do agree that public transit is a “service, not a business”. I only wish it was a better service. Perhaps then more people would leave their cars at home and take the bus.
Transit is not free to everyone in Kingston.
Editor’s note: Gaetan is correct – the article has been revised.