Please review the following general information about Sarnia Transit.

Accessible Transit Service

Sarnia Transit conventional service routes are designated “Accessible”, which means that every scheduled bus on each route will be an accessible bus. The low floor bus creates greater opportunity for access to regular transit for more people. Each bus has a maximum of 2 wheelchair/scooter designated areas.

Upon request, operators will provide assistance (to the best of their ability) with boarding and exiting the bus, to people with disabilities. Transit operators should not be lifting individuals, strollers or large items. Persons needing such assistance should be travelling with a support person. Support persons may travel at no cost if they are assisting an individual with a disability and the individual has a disability support person’s identification card, which is available from Sarnia Transit.

Sarnia Transit Bus Terminals

There are 3 main Sarnia Transit bus “terminals:”

  • Downtown located at George St & Vidal St (Bayside Mall)
  • Northgate Plaza (Shoppers Drug Mart)
  • Clearwater Terminal (Clearwater Arena)

Transit Tips

  • Payment: Please have your cash, tickets or pass ready when boarding the bus and if paying with cash exact fare is required, the operators do not have the ability to make change.
  • Where to Stand: Please make sure that you are at a bus stop, near the curb, and in plain view of the Operator. Avoid standing inside a shelter or doorway as the bus approaches because the Operator may not see you and could pass the stop.
  • Transfer: When boarding the bus please advise the operator if you require a transfer and what bus you require, if you are unsure of the bus you may need ask the operator for assistance. If the operator is aware of what bus you need or of where you need to go they will advise the requested bus to wait at the next terminal.
  • Request a Stop: All buses have a bell cord above the windows and some have a stop button on hand rails. When approaching your stop please ring the bell with plenty of time for the bus to safely stop, if there is not enough time the operator will stop at the next available stop.
  • Bicycles: All Sarnia Transit buses are equipped with a bike rack. Each bike rack can hold two conventional bicycles and there is no extra fee to use the bike rack. E-Bikes are not allowed on buses or bike racks, as racks have a weight restriction.
  • Strollers: When travelling with buggies, strollers, parcel carts or other large items; if possible fold up buggies/strollers and keep other large items out of the aisle of the bus as a courtesy to the other riders.

Transfers

  • Transfers are valid for 90 minutes and provide unlimited travel in any direction, including return trips, subject to the following:
  • Transfers must be requested and obtained at time of first boarding.
  • Transfers will, upon request only, be issued by the Operator receiving cash or ticket fare only.
  • Transfers will not be issued to passengers with a monthly, weekly, daily, or semester pass or with a previously issued transfer.
  • Transfers are valid on the day of issue only and will not be accepted beyond the time cut on the transfer.
  • Transfers can be used to board any bus (excluding Care-a-van) at any terminal or regular bus stop.
  • Transfers are provided for individual use only and are not to be given to a passenger who has not paid the $3.00 cash fare or a ticket. The passing of a transfer to others, for payment or otherwise, is strictly prohibited and the transfer will not be honoured.

Priority & Courtesy Seating 

Show you care and offer your seat to someone who needs it more than you. Please read and respect the signs.

In compliance with Section 49 of Regulation 191-11, Ontario’s public transit authorities now provide priority seating designated for use by passengers with disabilities.

Transit authorities recognize there are other customers who would also benefit from having a seat near the front of the bus. A courtesy seating area has been designated for seniors, expectant mothers, adults travelling with infants/small children or any other customer who may benefit from a seat near the front of the bus.

Priority Seating

Priority seating is for the use of passengers with a disability. These seats are located close to the front of the vehicle. Customers are expected to respect and obey the purpose of the designated seating area, which means: If you are sitting in one of these designated seats, you MUST vacate the seat for a passenger with a disability. Please note the following:

  • A person with a disability occupying a priority seat is not required to move for another customer with a disability. Use of these seats is on a first-come first-served basis.
  • You are not required or expected to leave a transit vehicle in order to make room for a customer with a disability.
  • Bus drivers/operators will not intervene to enforce the requirement; however, we ask that you show consideration for those whose need is greater than your own.

Courtesy Seating

Courtesy seating is intended to provide additional seating for people who benefit from having a seat near the front of the vehicle including:

  • seniors
  • expectant mothers
  • adults traveling with infants or small children
  • or any other passenger who may benefit from a seat

If you are sitting in one of these designated seats, please respect its purpose and give up your seat to those who need it.

Please note: Drivers/operators will not enforce this requirement or intervene in any dispute related to Courtesy seating; however, we ask that you respect this designated seating area and show consideration for those whose need is greater than your own.

Bus Etiquette

Please help ensure a smooth and comfortable experience for all passengers:

  • Wait your turn
  • No vaping or smoking
  • Move to rear
  • Offer priority seating
  • Don’t block the isles
  • Keep conversation quiet
  • Remove bags from seats
  • Remove feet from seats
  • No loud music
  • No food or drinks
  • No littering