The majority of their system consists of ten main routes within the urban area of Peterborough. There are three community bus routes that serve businesses and seniors homes. There are two Selwyn "The Link" routes that connects the towns of Curve Lake, Lakefield, Ennismore, & Bridgenorth to Trent University. For those who are physically unable to use the regular transit bus there is a special Handi-Van paratransit service.
History
A Streetcar on George Street.
Transit began in Peterborough as a streetcar service with the Peterborough and Ashburnham Street Railway Company, which was established in 1893 and operated until 1898.[1] This was followed by the Peterborough Radial Railway Company, which operated from 1902 until 1927. This ended the streetcar era in Peterborough.
Cooney and Joplin was briefly the only transit company in the city during 1927 after the Peterborough Radial Railway Company ceased operations. Later during 1927, Border Transit Limited started. It operated through until 1978 at which point the present day Peterborough Transit began operations and continues today.[2]
In June 2020, Peterborough transit route system change from a hub-style transit system to a grid-style transit system due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, there was 9 main routes (down from the original 12 routes) and 3 community bus routes (up from the original 1 route). In May 2021, a new Selwyn "The Link" bus system connecting the major Selwyn towns to Peterborough. In September 2021, Route 11 Water became the 10th route in the transit system. There is no Route 1 in the Peterborough transit system.
Starting on January 2, 2022, all kids 12 years and under will be able to ride the transit system for free as part of a pilot project. The pilot project is expected to run through 2022.
There are 10 main routes, 3 community bus routes, 2 Selwyn "the link" bus routes and a paratransit service. GO Transit also operates 1 bus from Peterborough to Oshawa.
Routes
Routes 2 - 9 operates seven days a week & routes 10 & 11 operates weekdays only. All routes followed by a A or B are shorter, less to frequent branch routes (excluding 7A). Community bus routes 22 & 23 connects to major plazas, malls, grocery stores, retirement and long-term care homes, medical clinic, & hospital within the City of Peterborough.
No.
Route
Destinations
Notes
2
Chemong
NB
To: Rowberry Blvd @ Broadway Blvd
SB
To: Lansdowne Place @ Borden Ave
Via: Traill College & Peterborough Terminal
2A
Chemong
NB
To: Rowberry Blvd @ Broadway Blvd
SB
To: Peterborough Terminal
Via: Traill College
2B
Chemong
NB
To: Peterborough Terminal
SB
To: Lansdowne Place @ Borden Ave
3
Park North
NB
To: Trent U Bata
SB
To: Clonsilla Ave @ Summit Plaza
4
Weller
WB
To: Sherbrooke St W @ Woodglade Blvd
EB
To: Peterborough Museum
Via: Peterborough Regional Health Centre & Peterborough Terminal
4A
Weller
WB
To: Peterborough Terminal
EB
To: Peterborough Museum
5
The Parkway
NB
To: Peterborough Terminal
SB
To: Fleming College
Via: Crawford Dr @ Harper Rd Park & Ride
6
Sherbrooke
WB
To: Fleming College
EB
To: Trent U Bata
Via: Peterborough Terminal
6B
Sherbrooke
NB
To: Trent U Bata
SB
To: Peterborough Terminal
7
Lansdowne (Winter)
WB
To: Fleming College
EB
To: Trent U Gzowski
Via: Rogers St / Maria St & Willowcreek Plaza
7A
Lansdowne (Summer)
WB
To: Fleming College
EB
To: Trent U Gzowski
Via: Hunter St E / Ashburnham Dr & Willowcreek Plaza
7B
Lansdowne
WB
To: Fleming College
EB
To: Willowcreek Plaza
8
Monaghan
NB
To: Trent U Bata
SB
To: Fleming College
Via: Peterborough Regional Health Center & Crawford Dr @ Harper Rd Park & Ride
9
Parkhill
WB
To: Fleming College
EB
To: Trent U Gzowski
9A
Parkhill
WB
To: Parkhill Rd W @ Hedonics Rd
EB
To: Trent U Gzowski
10
Technology Drive
NB
To: Peterborough Terminal
SB
To: Technology Dr @ O'Brien Dr
Weekday Service Only
11
Water
NB
To: Trent U Bata
SB
To: Peterborough Terminal
Weekday Service Only
Bypasses: Traill College
11A
Water
NB
To: Trent U Bata
SB
To: Traill College
Weekday Service Only
Bypasses: Peterborough Terminal
12
Otonabee
NB
To: Peterborough Terminal
SB
To: Otonabee Dr @ Milford Gate
Service Starts: January 2, 2024
22
Blue (Community)
Terminus
To: Lansdowne Place @ Real Canadian Superstore
Mid
To: George St N @ Simcoe St
23
Red (Community)
Terminus
To: Walmart North Superstore
Mid
To: Hedonics Circle
Late Night Routes
Late Night Routes Serve Peterborough till 3:00 AM on Mondays - Saturdays & 1:00 AM on Sundays.
Listed below are the fares for Peterborough Transit. Kids 12 years or younger ride free.
(Selwyn "The Link" & Go Transit fare info temporarily unavailable)
Fare Type:
Cost:
Single Ride (Cash or Pass)
$2.75
Trans-Cab
$3.50
90-Minute Transfer
$0.00
Two Ride Pass
$5.50
Day Pass
$10.00
10 Ride Pass
$25.00
30 Day Adult Pass
$66.00
30 Day Student (to Grade 12) Pass
$60.00
30 Day Senior (65+) Pass
$45.00
Semi-Annual Senior (65+) Pass (January - June)
$150.00
Semi-Annual Senior (65+) Pass (July - December)
$150.00
Annual Senior Pass
$250.00
Criticisms
Many Peterborough Transit riders have criticized buses for being repeatedly late. Since 2005, Peterborough Transit has been slowly implementing changes to improve bus schedules. In 2006, buses began running every 40 minutes, rather than every 30 minutes, since buses would often run every 35–45 minutes anyway. This way, buses could at least meet their schedules.
Peterborough Transit is also frequently criticized for not having buses run late enough. During weekdays, the last bus departs from the terminal at 10:40, even though many riders need buses until around 1:00 am. It was also criticized for not offering Sunday service, a problem that was fixed in 2006.
The mayor, Daryl Bennett, owner of Capitol Taxi, proposed changes that would result in the cancellation of Saturday service after 6:00 pm.[3] However, on January 31, 2011. Peterborough city council voted against these transit cuts because of the overwhelming number of complaints from residents, and because of the perceived conflict of interest for the mayor.
The buses being required to back out of the bays at the existing terminal eat up roughly 10 minutes before all buses can start their trips. This can cause buses to end up running behind schedule later on in the day, as the arrival/depart time at the terminal generally falls farther and farther behind the more trips that are made.
Attempts to implement a Community Bus route by merging the Trent East Bank and the Nicholls Park route failed, mainly due to overcrowding issues on the route (renamed to 'Trent Armour'). As a result, the East Bank and Nicholls Park route returned and the Trent Reid and Trent Armour were cancelled.
