The Kingston Public Transit System began service on July 1, 1962, when the city's Public Utilities Commission took over the operation of transit service from Kingston City Coach, a subsidiary of Colonial Coach Lines. The Kingston Transit name was adopted in 1975.
In 2017, Kingston Transit experienced a record six million rides, which was the fourth consecutive year that ridership grew by more than 10 percent.[1]
Routes
Local
Local routes operate Monday–Saturday from approximately 6:00 am to 11:00 pm and Sunday from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm. They run every 30 minutes Monday–Saturday before 7:00 pm, and every 60 minutes at all other times unless otherwise noted.[4]
Seasonal routes primarily serve Queen's University and only operate from September–April (excluding the period between last exam day in December and first day of classes in January, and Reading Week).
Number
Route Name
Other Terminals
Notes
8
Extra Bus
St Lawrence College, Downtown
No fixed schedule, route travels via Queen's University
17
Queen's Shuttle: Main Campus – West Campus
Operates night time only (until 2:00 am)
18Q
Queen's Sunday Shuttle
Bus Terminal, Downtown, St Lawrence College
3 trips per day, Sunday only
20
Queen's Shuttle – Isabel / Tett Centres
15 minute service Monday–Friday, day time only
Express
Express routes operate with a frequency of 10–30 minutes and have stops placed further apart than local routes.
Number
Route
Direction
Frequency
501
Cataraqui Centre – Kingston Centre – Downtown – Queen's University / KGH – St. Lawrence College – Cataraqui Centre
Clockwise
10 minutes during rush hour 15, 20, or 30 minutes at other times
502
Counterclockwise
601
Innovation Dr – Rideau Town Centre – Downtown – Queen's University / KGH
Southwest
15 minutes Monday–Friday, before 7pm 30 minutes all other times
602
Northeast
701
Cataraqui Centre – Kingston Centre – Downtown – King’s Crossing Centre
West
15 minutes during rush hour 30 minute at other times
702
East
801
Montreal St. P&R – Downtown – Queen's University / KGH
South
15 minutes during rush hour 30 minute at other times
Tuesday and Thursday, 10:15 am to 11:45 am, and 2:15 pm to 3:45 pm
Route must be booked 1 day in advance
Fares
Category
Cash
Multi-ride Pass (6 tickets)
Monthly Pass
Child (Ages 0–14)
Free
N/A
N/A
Youth (Ages 15–24)
$3.25
$13.50
$59.50
Adult (Ages 25–64)
$16.50
$80.00
Senior (Ages 65+)
$13.50
$59.50
Kingston Transit fares and My Card rates effective January 1, 2017.[5] Daily and Weekly passes are also available from various transit locations.
Kingston Transit employs a smart card payment system for monthly passes (My Pass) and tickets (My Tickets), which was introduced in August 2008.
Transfers are free for cash fares but must be obtained at the time fare is paid. They are valid for 60 minutes. Payments using My Tickets have transfers automatically stored inside the card.
Queen's University students, who are members of the AMS or SGPS, as well as St. Lawrence College students can ride free, as part of a U-Pass program.[6][7]
Rack and Roll
The current "Rack and Roll" system is used for bicycle transportation. If a customer wishes to bring a bicycle onto the bus, a pull-down rack is located at the outside front of the bus. The rack can currently hold 2 bicycles. It involves 2 slots which the bicycle's wheels fit into. Then, a curved hook fits around the front tire to secure the bike from falling. Rack and Roll is available during the cycling season.[8]
