Kingston Transit introduces service changes to improve reliability, reduce delays and maintain service coverage

Starting Monday, Oct. 6, Kingston Transit will begin implementing several service adjustments to streamline routes and reduce delays caused by ongoing construction. The service changes will increase reliability by building time into routes to help with construction delays and ensuring available staff to deliver timely service. 

“We're aware of the challenges passengers have been facing and understand their frustration due to delays and unplanned cancellations,” says Ian Semple, Commissioner, Transportation & Infrastructure Services. “We recognize the importance of being able to depend on transit as an essential source of transportation. These temporary changes will help make travel more reliable as we work toward restoring full service.” 

By shortening end-of-route loops and moving routes to less congested corridors, these adjustments are intended to improve reliability for riders while maintaining service coverage. The time savings gained from the service adjustments will reduce time pressures that have contributed to delays across the system.  

The reductions return service to similar levels in place in September 2024 and January 2025. Staff are working to restore full service and will add service back where possible on express and local routes as resources allow. These changes will be updated in the Transit app. 

“As we build staff capacity and traffic patterns normalize after the construction season, we will reestablish previous service levels across the network,” says Semple. “We greatly appreciate our team of transit operators for their continued professionalism, dedication and commitment to customer service during these service changes." 

Service adjustments 

The following adjustments will come into effect on Oct. 6 and 14 until further notice as outlined below. All adjustments will connect with accessible sidewalks and stops. 

Adjustments effective Monday, Oct. 6 

• Route 2 (Rideau Heights): Shortened loop at the end of the route. All stops continue to be served by Route 2 or other routes in the area. 

• Routes 6, 11, 15: Stops relocated from Gardiners Town Centre to Bath Road at Gardiners Road to reduce delays and improve transfer reliability for riders connecting to the 701/702. 

• Route 22 (east end): Eastbound trips will operate directly along Highway 15 to Innovation Drive; westbound trips will continue the regular route through Greenwood Park. 

• Routes 31/32 (West Campus): Rerouted via King Street instead of Union Street through Queen’s West Campus. Service to West Campus is maintained by other routes, and the 31/32 remain within typical walking distance for local riders. 

Adjustments effective Tuesday, Oct. 14 

• Route 16 (weekdays): Adjusted to operate directly between SLC and Kingston Centre via Portsmouth Avenue, Johnson Street, and Sir John A. Macdonald Boulevard, serving all existing stops along this corridor. To maintain coverage in Calvin Park and Portsmouth, a new weekday shuttle will operate along the existing Route 16 alignment, providing connections into the broader system. 

• System-wide schedule changes: Service levels will be reduced at selected times of day to better match available staffing while maintaining coverage across the network. These changes include: 

• Express services (500- and 700-series): Fewer trips midday, with service generally maintained every 20 minutes instead of every 15 minutes. Transit Operations will redeploy operators to provide supplemental trips where possible. 

• Routes 11 and 13: Operate hourly during the morning and early afternoon on weekdays. 

• Route 2: Service will be hourly in the evening (after 7 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays; after 6:30 p.m. Sundays), consistent with previous service levels. 

• Sunday service: Routes 1, 31, and 32 will operate hourly throughout the day, a reduction from previous half-hourly service. 

Ask questions or get help with trip planning by reaching out to us by phone at 613-546-0000 or by email at ContactUs@CityofKingston.ca. Customers can also plan trips using the Kingston Transit Trip Planner or on their mobile device using the Transit App. 

Stay connected 

Stay connected to Kingston Transit through the Transit App. Transit is available for both Android and iPhone users. It’s a superpowered way to plan your transit trips, check availability and track your ride in real time. It also offers connected trip planning to help you get to your route whether walking or by bike. 

Subscribe to email notices about transit service at CityofKingston.ca/Subscribe and click Transit News and Service Alerts.