Keep Students Moving: WUSA Opposes Cuts to Key GRT Routes

A white and blue city bus is parked near a sign that reads "University of Waterloo." The sign is surrounded by greenery and flowers. Buildings and trees are visible in the background, along with a clear sky.

Update on Waterloo Region’s cuts to transit – December 17, 2025

WUSA is disappointed that the Waterloo Regional Council voted down a compromise motion that would have maintained 20-minute all-day bus service on routes 9, 13, 19, and 30. This decision goes against the goals the Region itself outlined in the GRT Business Plan. 

These routes serve fast-growing, transit-dependent communities and are heavily relied on by students, especially at Waterloo. Limiting service on these routes worsens the quality of life for students who rely on these routes to get to class, their co-op or part-time jobs, and to access essential services around the Region.  

Moving forward, we plan to continue conversations with our municipal representatives to highlight the real impacts of these service reductions on Waterloo students and continue our ongoing advocacy for transit improvements, especially those outlined in the GRT Business Plan. 

You can read the full motion at Strategic Planning and Budget Committee – December 16, 2025, Motion 6.5. 

The councillors who voted against protecting service on these routes are: 

  • S. Foxton 
  • M. Harris 
  • J. Nowak 
  • D. Craig 
  • N. Salonen 
  • K. Redman 
  • J. Liggett 
  • B. Vrbanovic 

The councillors who voted in favour of protecting service on these routes are: 

  • S. Shantz 
  • M. Rodrigues 
  • J. Erb 
  • C. James 
  • P. Wolf 
  • J. Gowing 
  • D. McCabe 
  • C. Huinink 

On December 3, 2025, WUSA President Damian Mikhail attended the Waterloo Region Council’s Strategic Planning and Budget Public Input Committee to advocate on behalf of students to protect public transit, from his perspective as a student who regularly uses it. The Region is proposing to reduce service to Routes 9, 13, 19, and 30 – you can read more about that at 2026 Budget and transit – Grand River Transit..

Damian highlighted that students, especially at the University of Waterloo, rely heavily on Routes 9, 13, 19, and 30. Cutting both peak and off-peak hours would significantly reduce reliability on these routes that are essential for many students in their commute to campus. Damian noted that past Councils have strengthened the Region’s transit network through long-term investment and flagged that this current budget proposal does not align with the goals outlined in the GRT business plan. He emphasized that ongoing investment in public transit helps residents, including students, choose sustainable transportation options, contributing to more walkable and livable neighbourhoods across Waterloo Region.

He noted the potential negative impact on residents across Waterloo, as well as the challenge of advocating for ION Stage 2 funding while simultaneously reducing local service. He encouraged Council to reconsider the proposed cuts in order to maintain the Region’s credibility and continue supporting a sustainable, affordable transit system for students and the broader community. You can watch Damian’s full remarks to Council at Strategic Planning and Budget Public Input Committee – December 3, 2025, starting at 1:31:50.

The finalized budget is due to be approved by Regional Council on December 17th. Any students who are interested in providing feedback can contact Regional Councillors to express their opinions before Council’s final decision.

Published: Wednesday, December 17, 2025