Member Spotlight: Region of Waterloo/Grand River Transit
Waterloo Region is a mid-sized community located in the heart of southwestern Ontario’s greenbelt. The Region has the amenities of a large urban center and the charm and character of a smaller rural community. The Region is made up of three Cities and four Townships. With a population of more than 670,000 people, Waterloo Region is one of the fastest growing areas in Ontario yet continues to be a community of communities, connected by high-quality transit, cycling and walking trails and the scenic Grand River.
The Region of Waterloo formed Grand River Transit (GRT) in 2000, assuming the operations of the former Kitchener Transit and Cambridge Transit. Today, GRT operates more than 50 routes and covers more than 16 million kilometers every year. Light rail service launched in 2019.
Transit services staff work closely with partners at the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo on the shared micromobility portfolio. The Region of Waterloo and three Cities worked together to select Neuron Mobility as the sole-operator of a shared e-bike and e-scooter micromobility program. The shared micromobility program launched in 2023 in the three downtown cores. The service area has grown year-over-year and now connects the three Cities. Trips end at designated stations, with no lock-to requirement. Last year riders took nearly 173,700 trips, totalling over 288,000 kilometers travelled. Ridership resulted in up to 9.9 tons in carbon dioxide savings, and up to 22 tons in total since the launch in 2023.
This June, Neuron introduced upright tricycles and handcycle tricycles, adding accessible fleet options. Riders can now reserve these vehicles through an online portal. Neuron delivers and picks up devices throughout the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo. The service delivery model is being tested over the 2025 riding season and if considered successful may be fully integrated later.
The Region of Waterloo/GRT has been a NABSA member since 2019. When asked about the value of NABSA membership they said, “We’ve had the opportunity to attend conferences and sit on the policy committee. NABSA has been an incredible resource throughout all the stages of our shared micromobility program by providing access to best practices and a network of people engaged in the industry. We’ve been happy to bring the perspective of a mid-sized Canadian city to the shared micromobility space.”
