Grand River Transit (GRT) Bus Strike Advocacy

Bus services will resume Thursday May 11th. 

Due to the disruption in service, students will be eligible for a partial reimbursement based on how many days services are impacted.

We will communicate more details and the refund process shortly after negotiations conclude and bus service continues.

No fares will be collected from May 11 to 22, do not tap your card before boarding.

Beginning Monday, May 1, Grand River Transit buses, including MobilityPLUS and busPLUS services will not run due to a strike.

ION train service will continue as it is maintained and operated by Keolis. Train schedule is available here (PDF).

For the latest updates on the status of transit services, visit www.grt.ca/updates, call the GRT Information Line at: 519-585-7555 for deaf and hard of hearing customers (TTY) at 519-575-4608, or connect via Twitter @RegionWaterloo.

We want to ensure that you are prepared and have alternative transportation options during this time.

Here are some suggestions:

  1. Plan ahead: consider alternative transportation options, such as walking, cycling, scootering, carpooling, or ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft.
  2. If you are a driver and open to helping, check in with bussing friends to see if they need a ride.
  3. Check the ION train schedule, as trains will continue to operate.
  4. Provide your feedback directly to GRT here
  5. If you have concerns or questions, please call 519-585-7555 or for deaf and hard of hearing customers (TTY) at 519-575-4608.

We understand that this situation may be challenging for many of you, and we want to assure you that we are here to support you. We will be monitoring the situation closely and will keep you updated on potential alternative supports that will be available if an agreement is not met by the start of spring classes on May 8th.

For those affected by the labour disruption, there are a number of campus transportation resources available, including: 

The University has access to free carpool matching software through its membership in the Region of Waterloo TravelWise program, which can help employees and students share rides to campus. Drivers and people seeking rides can use TravelWise to get matched. You can register as a student here. 

We will update you via our Instagram and Twitter channels as we learn more and will send a follow-up email with further information if disruption continues.

What has been done thus far…

All services will return May 11th

May 09

Bus service resumes on Thursday, with no fares until May 22nd.

WUSA will be updating students on re-imbursement process shortly.

Read more

Tentative agreement reached

May 08

A tentative agreement has been reached between the Region of Waterloo and UNIFOR, Local 4304.

Read more

Region and UNIFOR Local 4304 continue negotiations

May 04

The Region of Waterloo and UNIFOR Local 4304 have returned to the table.

Region and UNIFOR to continue bargaining
May 03

The Region of Waterloo and UNIFOR Local 4304 have announced they will continue negotiations tomorrow, May 4, 2023.

Read more

UNIFOR Local 4304, representing Grand River Transit is on strike

Apr 30

UNIFOR Local 4304 goes on strike.

Emails/socials/web have been updated to spread awareness to undergraduates and an open letter from Conestoga, Laurier & Waterloo student governments regarding the May 2023 GRT Bus Strike and a statement to the president of the union and Regional Chair Redman have been sent.

Potential Strike

Apr 26 – Apr 28

WUSA was made aware of a potential strike affecting Grand River Transit (GRT) workers and began planning to spread awareness on this issue.

  • A strike would affect drivers of buses, MobilityPlus and BusPlus services. Ion train service will continue.
  • Bargaining talks were scheduled for the next three days between the Region of Waterloo and Unifor Local 4304, which represents some Grand River Transit workers. 
  • If no agreement was reached by Sunday at midnight, union members will be in a legal strike position as of Monday.