Transit News, Info & Questions

Great news! You can now use Google Maps to plan your trip using Woodstock Transit. Either browse to Google Maps on your favourite browser or use the Google Maps app on your phone and choose the Transit option (see the red star) to plan your trip. Not only will you get directed to the closest bus stops, but you'll also be able to see what transfers you might need to take and the approximate trip time as well!

Currently Google Maps will not report any service disruptions, but this is a planned addition that will be implemented with future upgrades to our fleet. In the meantime, please continue to monitor our Detours page for up-to-date information on temporary route changes and disruptions.

We're truly glad to introduce one more option to help our new, and existing, riders get to and from their destinations with ease!

• We understand how important it is to offer a transit service people can trust to get them to their destination on time. We are proud to deliver on our commitment to be on-time 95% of the time.
• Increased traffic volumes impacted our ability to deliver on our commitment. Changing the schedule to a 40-minute cycle during peak travel times helps avoid delays caused by traffic, ensuring our buses remain on time.
• From Monday to Friday between 3 and 5 pm, buses will run on a 40-minute cycle. That means buses will leave the transit terminal at 3 pm, 3:40 pm, 4:20 pm and 5 pm before returning to a 30-minute cycle – departing the terminal at the top and bottom of each hour.
• Updated schedules will be posted at each bus stop so riders can check the stops they use to see what time the bus will arrive at their stop.
• Saturday service remains unchanged, running on a 30-minute cycle from 8 am to 10 pm.
• We appreciate your understanding with these change as we know this extended route cycle may mean longer travel times for some riders.

Additional / background information: We regularly review our transit service and schedule to ensure it continues to meet the needs of our community and in 2019, we undertook a comprehensive operational review that took into consideration future transit system options. As our city grows, we will continue to implement solutions that allow us to offer a convenient, reliable transit service for our residents. 

If your card is registered, you may report the card lost/stolen through your account. 

There is a $5.00 fee to purchase the replacement card.  This will be charged to your payment card through your account.

The City of Woodstock is not responsible for misplaced, lost or stolen cards, or if they have been tampered or altered in any way. If you have not registered your card, you will be required to purchase a new OneCARD.

Remember that with the OneCARD, your monthly pass begins on the first day that you use it and will expire one month later. For example, if you use your card for the first time on September 18th, your monthly pass is valid until the end of service on October 17th. 

It often takes 24 hours for the system to update. Therefore, please make sure you purchase your passes well in advance to ensure they are active when you use it.

The system will use the current fare until its exhausted, i.e.: a monthly pass will not start until the old monthly pass has expired, allowing you to preload more than one month at a time. 

When you board the bus, simply tap the pass and hold it on the card validator until you see a green light.  You will hear a beep if the fare has been accepted.

If your pass is not valid, you will be required to pay the $2.75 cash fare if you wish to ride the bus. 

Purpose:  To maintain safe, reliable fixed route transit service for the customers of Woodstock Transit and to keep our employees safe during periods of inclement weather, which can produce hazardous road conditions. Slowing the service down will improve safety for all and provide all needed connections within the Woodstock Transit multi-route network, resulting in customer satisfaction and lower risk of accidents.

Scope:  When these conditions are present, the Transit Supervisor or designate will make a decision directing all buses to begin operating their trips on a 45 minute schedule instead of 30 minutes, in essence the modified schedules will always begin at 15 or 45 past the hour. The Transit Supervisor or designate will ensure that all operators are advised and instructed to slow down, take extra precaution and use the extra time to complete their trips. The Transit Supervisor or designate will be responsible to ensure best efforts are made to cascade this Inclement Weather Alert to the city website/twitter or any other means that reaches our customers.

Procedures:  Upon direction from the Transit Supervisor or designate, this modified schedule will always end on the hour or half hour unless inclement conditions persist until the end of service. Next day will always return to normal schedules. He/she will also be responsible to lift the Weather Alert from the website/twitter when the decision to return to regular schedules is made.

• Please have your fare ready before boarding the bus. Drivers do not make change.
• If you do not have fare, you will be asked to leave the bus.
• For your safety, please stand well back from the approaching bus until it is stopped.
• During busy times, please move to the back of the bus to allow room for others to board.
• Priority seats are to be vacated to accommodate persons with disabilities.
• For your safety, please hang onto the stanchions when standing or moving through the bus, as the bus may be moving.
• The door of the bus will be closed when the driver is absent. Do not open the door or enter until the driver is present

• Pull the stop request cord or press the button when the bus leaves the stop preceding the stop that you request. For safety reason, you must give your driver ample notice to be able to stop the bus safely at the bus stop.
• Always exit at the back door unless you require the ramp or kneeler or if conditions are such that you cannot safely de-board the bus at the rear.
• Do not cross in front of the bus; wait safely on the curb until the bus leaves and you can safely view traffic before crossing the street.

• Always show common courtesy and respect to your fellow passengers, your driver and the equipment.
• Vaping and smoking is prohibited on the bus and at the transit terminal.
• Everyone on board would like a comfortable and pleasant trip. Please do not yell, play music loudly or use offensive language. Vandalism or general rowdiness will not be tolerated. You could be asked to leave the bus if you do not comply.
• Passengers that continue to be offensive, disruptive or abusive to transit staff will be banned from riding the bus for a minimum of one year. For a second offence, riders will be banned for life.
• Shirts and shoes must be worn while riding the bus. Passengers will not be allowed to wear roller blades while boarding/de-boarding or riding the bus.
• No transportation of firearms, prohibited weapons, chemicals, toxic substances or flammables (including fireworks, gas cans or propane tanks).
• Please understand that bus delays can occur during bad weather, rush hour, detours and bus break downs. Please plan your trips accordingly.

• If you require the kneeler or ramp, please let your driver know.
• Drivers are not required to assist with parcels or help with boarding and de-boarding passengers.
• Please respect that our drivers are trained professionals who are in their workplace when behind the wheel.
• Drivers are responsible for passenger, traffic and equipment safety, schedule adherence and fare collection.
• Please do not distract the driver by engaging in conversation with them, other than transit related questions or business.
• Do not obstruct the driver’s view. Please remain behind the line at the front of the bus at all times when the bus is in motion.
• Our buses are equipped with a visual and audible automated call-out. In the event of a failure of this system, please let your driver know your destination and they will assist.

• A service dog is allowed on board, under the following circumstances:
  • a dog halter is in use
  • a vest is worn with a sign that indicates “working service dog”
• Passengers are permitted to board a bus with a small pet, provided the pet is secured in a proper pet carrier. The pet must remain in the pet carrier for the duration of the bus ride.
  • There is no charge for a pet.

• Woodstock Transit is not responsible for items lost on its vehicles or property. Please contact 519-539-2382, extension 3131 to report a lost item. Every effort will be made to return the item to its rightful owner. Most items can be picked up by appointment only at the City Engineering Office, items are not stored at that location.
• Lost items will only be retained for 30 days.
• It is advisable to register your Transit OneCARD, so that we can return it to you if lost. We cannot replace lost/stolen cards if they are not registered. 

• Our 40 foot city buses can seat up to 35 passengers; the para-transit vehicles can seat up to 16 passengers.
• The buses are fully accessible with wheel securements for two wheelchairs (conventional) and four wheelchairs (para‑transit). In order to accommodate a wheelchair, it will require the use of two seats. Accessible buses are climate controlled.
• Costs for charters are calculated from the time the driver reports to the garage, until the bus is returned to the garage.
• To discuss your charter needs, please contact the Transit Supervisor for a quote at 519‑539‑2382, extension 3130.

• To register a complaint, compliment or suggestion, please call the Transit Supervisor at 519-539-2382, extension 3130.
• The following information is required from the customer in order for a follow-up:
  • Bus route.
  • Location and direction of travel.
  • Date and exact time of incident.
  • Description of the driver.
  • Your name and telephone number (required to lodge a complaint).