Microtransit

Expand your travel options with Microtransit. Request a shared ride via app or phone to reach your destination beyond traditional bus routes.

App on phone

Connecting Riders Beyond Conventional Bus Routes

Experience the convenience of our shared-ride Microtransit service, connecting you to your destination beyond the limits of conventional bus routes. Download the NRT+ app or call us to request a trip today.

How to Use Microtransit

You will need these apps installed and follow the steps below.

Follow these steps:

  1. Purchase your fare in the Transit App.
    Select Local or Regional based on your full trip across Niagara.

  2. Plan and book your entire trip in the NTPlus App.
    Enter your starting point, destination, and desired arrival time. The app will show all available multimodal options. Select your trip and confirm it with one tap.

  3. Set your preferences.
    Choose your date, time, number of passengers, and select "Ambulatory" if you do not require additional assistance.

  4. Track your trip and show proof of payment.
    Open the Transit App to follow your journey in real time and present your fare to the Microtransit operator when boarding.

Transit App Logo

Transit App

Purchasing Passes and Trip Planning

Use the Transit App to purchase single or multiple passes and plan your trip, including multi-modal journeys.

Learn More


Municipal Zone-Specific Guidelines

Each municipal zone may have unique rules and regulations for Microtransit. Please review the guidelines for your specific area to ensure compliance and a smooth travel experience.

What Are Direct Service Zones?
Direct Service Zones are areas where our vehicles will take you directly to your destination. If you're travelling within Fort Erie, we'll pick you up and drop you off exactly where you need to go - no transfer required.

What Are Direct Access Points?
These key stops in our multimodal transit network are crucial in connecting Microtransit vehicles and conventional buses across the Niagara Region. Think of them as transportation hubs that help you get where you need to go. For example, if you're heading from Fort Erie to Welland, we'll take you to Port Colborne City Hall, where you can catch bus route 22 to Welland.

*Remember: Always ask your driver for a transfer ticket - you'll need it to make your connection in our multimodal network.

Fort Erie

Direct Service Zones

Travelling within Fort Erie? We'll drive you straight from your pickup spot to wherever you need to be.

Direct Access Points

Going outside Fort Erie? Our multimodal system connects you through these transit hubs:

If you are travelling outside the conventional bus routes, you can transfer to another Microtransit vehicle at Port Colborne City Hall to continue your trip.

Grimsby

Microtransit

Direct Service Zones

From Grimsby, you can travel directly to any location within these Direct Service Zones:

  • Grimsby
  • Pelham
  • Lincoln
  • West Lincoln
  • Wainfleet

Direct Access Points

For trips outside these zones, a multi-modal approach will be used. Here’s how it works:

  1. Microtransit Pickup: A Microtransit vehicle will pick you up and, in most cases, take you to the nearest Direct Access Point. Make sure to ask your driver for a transfer.
  2. Bus Transfer:  At the Direct Access Point you will transfer to a conventional bus to continue your journey.
  3. Final Leg: If needed, another Microtransit vehicle will pick you up from the destination access point and finish your journey. You will need to book this trip separately once you have arrived at the Direct Access Point.

The Direct Access Point is determined by the shortest trip from your start location and may change depending on your direction of travel. Direct Access Points:

  • St. Catharines Bus Terminal
  • Welland Bus Terminal
  • Port Colborne City Hall

Lincoln

Microtransit

Direct Service Zones

From Lincoln, you can travel directly to any location within these Direct Service Zones:

  • Grimsby
  • Pelham
  • Lincoln
  • West Lincoln
  • Wainfleet

Direct Access Points

For trips outside these zones, a multi-modal approach will be used. Here’s how it works:

  1. Microtransit Pickup: A Microtransit vehicle will pick you up and, in most cases, take you to the nearest Direct Access Point. Make sure to ask your driver for a transfer.
  2. Bus Transfer:  At the Direct Access Point you will transfer to a conventional bus to continue your journey.
  3. Final Leg: If needed, another Microtransit vehicle will pick you up from the destination access point and finish your journey. You will need to book this trip separately once you have arrived at the Direct Access Point.

The Direct Access Point is determined by the shortest trip from your start location and may change depending on your direction of travel. Direct Access Points:

  • St. Catharines Bus Terminal
  • Welland Bus Terminal
  • Port Colborne City Hall

Niagara Falls

Microtransit

Niagara Falls does not have Microtransit service at this time.

Niagara-on-the-Lake

Microtransit

Direct Service Zones

From Niagara-on-the-Lake, you can travel directly to any location within these Direct Service Zones:

  • Niagara-on-the-Lake

Direct Access Points

For trips outside these zones, a multi-modal approach will be used. Here’s how it works:

  1. Microtransit Pickup: A Microtransit vehicle will pick you up and, in most cases, take you to the nearest Direct Access Point. Make sure to ask your driver for a transfer.
  2. Bus Transfer:  At the Direct Access Point you will transfer to a conventional bus to continue your journey.
  3. Final Leg: If needed, another Microtransit vehicle will pick you up from the destination access point and finish your journey. You will need to book this trip separately once you have arrived at the Direct Access Point.

The Direct Access Point is determined by the shortest trip from your start location and may change depending on your direction of travel. Direct Access Points:

  • Town & Country Plaza
  • Niagara College (Glendale Campus)
  • Outlet Collection at Niagara

Pelham

Microtransit

Direct Service Zones

From Pelham, you can travel directly to any location within these Direct Service Zones:

  • Grimsby
  • Pelham
  • Lincoln
  • West Lincoln
  • Wainfleet

Direct Access Points

For trips outside these zones, a multi-modal approach will be used. Here’s how it works:

  1. Microtransit Pickup: A Microtransit vehicle will pick you up and, in most cases, take you to the nearest Direct Access Point. Make sure to ask your driver for a transfer.
  2. Bus Transfer:  At the Direct Access Point you will transfer to a conventional bus to continue your journey.
  3. Final Leg: If needed, another Microtransit vehicle will pick you up from the destination access point and finish your journey. You will need to book this trip separately once you have arrived at the Direct Access Point.

The Direct Access Point is determined by the shortest trip from your start location and may change depending on your direction of travel. Direct Access Points:

  • St. Catharines Bus Terminal
  • Welland Bus Terminal
  • Port Colborne City Hall

Port Colborne

Microtransit

Direct Service Zones

Travelling within Port Colborne? We'll drive you straight from your pickup spot to wherever you need to be.

Direct Access Points

Going outside Port Colborne? Our multimodal system connects you through these transit hubs:

If you are travelling outside the conventional bus routes, you can transfer to another Microtransit vehicle at Port Colborne City Hall to continue your trip.

*Remember: Always ask your driver for a transfer ticket - you'll need it to make your connection in our multimodal network.

St. Catharines

Microtransit

St. Catharines has designated specific pick-up and drop-off zones:

Port Weller and Lakeshore Zone (Blue)

  • Pick-up Zone: Port Weller and just over the canal.
  • Pick-up Zone: Between Lakeshore Rd and the shoreline.
  • Drop-off Zone: Most of the 'North-End'.

West St. Catharines Zone (Red)

  • Pick-up Zone: Westernmost area of St. Catharines.
  • Drop-off Zone: Brings you into Western Hill, Martindale, and Grapeview areas.

 

Thorold

Microtransit

Thorold does not have Microtransit service at this time.

Wainfleet

Microtransit

Direct Service Zones

From Wainfleet, you can travel directly to any location within these Direct Service Zones:

  • Grimsby
  • Pelham
  • Lincoln
  • West Lincoln

Direct Access Points

For trips outside these zones, a multi-modal approach will be used. Here’s how it works:

  1. Microtransit Pickup: A Microtransit vehicle will pick you up and, in most cases, take you to the nearest Direct Access Point. Make sure to ask your driver for a transfer.
  2. Bus Transfer:  At the Direct Access Point you will transfer to a conventional bus to continue your journey.
  3. Final Leg: If needed, another Microtransit vehicle will pick you up from the destination access point and finish your journey. You will need to book this trip separately once you have arrived at the Direct Access Point.

The Direct Access Point is determined by the shortest trip from your start location and may change depending on your direction of travel. Direct Access Points:

  • St. Catharines Bus Terminal
  • Welland Bus Terminal
  • Port Colborne City Hall

Welland

Microtransit

Direct Service Zones

From Welland, you can travel directly to any location within these Direct Service Zones:

  • Welland (zone)

Direct Access Points

For trips outside these zones, a multi-modal approach will be used. Here’s how it works:

  1. Microtransit Pickup: A Microtransit vehicle will pick you up and, in most cases, take you to the nearest Direct Access Point. Make sure to ask your driver for a transfer.
  2. Bus Transfer:  At the Direct Access Point you will transfer to a conventional bus to continue your journey.
  3. Final Leg: If needed, another Microtransit vehicle will pick you up from the destination access point and finish your journey. You will need to book this trip separately once you have arrived at the Direct Access Point.

The Direct Access Point is determined by the shortest trip from your start location and may change depending on your direction of travel. Direct Access Points:

  • Welland Bus Terminal

West Lincoln

Microtransit

Direct Service Zones

From West Lincoln, you can travel directly to any location within these Direct Service Zones:

  • Grimsby
  • Pelham
  • Lincoln
  • Wainfleet

Direct Access Points

For trips outside these zones, a multi-modal approach will be used. Here’s how it works:

  1. Microtransit Pickup: A Microtransit vehicle will pick you up and, in most cases, take you to the nearest Direct Access Point. Make sure to ask your driver for a transfer.
  2. Bus Transfer:  At the Direct Access Point you will transfer to a conventional bus to continue your journey.
  3. Final Leg: If needed, another Microtransit vehicle will pick you up from the destination access point and finish your journey. You will need to book this trip separately once you have arrived at the Direct Access Point.

The Direct Access Point is determined by the shortest trip from your start location and may change depending on your direction of travel. Direct Access Points:

  • St. Catharines Bus Terminal
  • Welland Bus Terminal
  • Port Colborne City Hall
Interactive

Microtransit Zone Map

Explore our interactive map to discover the Microtransit zones across Niagara. Easily navigate by moving and zooming to find detailed information on each zone—click on any area of interest.

Two buttons are located at the top-right of the map:

Share Icon  Share Button: easily share this map with others

Full screen Icon  Full Screen: expands the map to full screen.

This tool is designed to help you understand the transit options available in your area and how to access them efficiently.

Multi-Modal Travel

Example Journey 
Let’s look at an example journey to illustrate how our system works:

Start: 123 Nelles Rd, Grimsby
End: 456 Hampton Ave, Port Colborne

  1. First Leg: A Microtransit vehicle will pick you up and take you to the St. Catharines Bus Terminal.
  2. Transfer: At the St. Catharines Bus Terminal, transfer to the Route 70 bus.
  3. Second Leg: Take the Route 70 bus to the Welland Bus Terminal.
  4. Transfer: At the Welland Bus Terminal, transfer to the Route 25 bus.
  5. Third Leg: Take the Route 25 bus to Port Colborne. Get off the bus in Port Colborne.
  6. Final Leg: Book another Microtransit ride to your destination at 456 Hampton Ave, Port Colborne.

This example shows how your journey with Niagara Transit can be multi-modal, using transfers between different modes of transportation to get you where you need to go. With the upgraded NTPlus app, you can now plan and book the entire trip in one step.

Microtransit and Specialized Rider Guide

Here, you can find everything you need to know about transfers, storage guidelines, service expectations and more to travel easily across the region.

Microtransit

FAQs

Find answers to common questions about our Microtransit service.

Microtransit is a shared-ride service that provides services where conventional bus routes don't reach.

Regular transit fares apply.

  Local Fares
(within town/city)
Regional Fares
(outside town/city)
Youth (13-17) $3.00 $5.00
Adult $3.00 $6.00
Senior (65+) $3.00 $5.00

Yes, there are access points for transfers to conventional bus services. Please ask your driver for a transfer.

Each individual is permitted one active account, which must be associated with a valid form of legal identification; any identified duplicate accounts will be deleted.

You can pre-book services up to 7 days in advance.

Abandoned Rides

At Niagara Transit, we are committed to providing safe, reliable, and accessible Specialized Transit services. While it is rare, there may be occasions when a scheduled ride cannot be completed due to an unexpected issue. When this occurs, it is referred to as an abandoned ride.

What Is an Abandoned Ride?

An abandoned ride happens when a trip cannot be completed due to an unforeseen operational issue, such as a vehicle breakdown, mechanical issue, traffic accident, or a driver becoming unexpectedly unavailable. These situations prevent Niagara Transit from delivering the trip as planned.

While abandoned rides are uncommon, we treat every situation with urgency and care, working quickly to reduce the impact on the customer.

How Niagara Transit Responds

If an abandoned ride is identified, Niagara Transit takes several steps to minimize the disruption and support the affected customer:

  • Proactive Monitoring: Our team actively monitors upcoming trips in advance of their scheduled pickup times. This allows us to identify and respond to potential issues early, often before they affect the customer.
  • Timely Communication: We make every effort to contact customers promptly using the contact information we have on file.
  • Exploring Alternatives: As soon as we become aware of a potential issue, we will explore options such as reassigning the ride to another vehicle or working with alternate transportation providers to assist in completing the trip.
  • Follow-Up Support: If the trip cannot be completed, a member of our team will contact the customer to offer support and help reschedule if needed.

How Customers Can Help

To support a quick and effective response in the event of a disruption, customers are encouraged to:

  • Keep contact details up to date.
  • Please let us know as soon as possible if your plans change or if a ride needs to be cancelled.
  • Be ready at the scheduled pickup time and respond to any contact from Niagara Transit staff.
  • Ensure mobile devices are turned on and charged, so we can reach you if needed.

Why This Procedure Matters

By carefully managing abandoned rides, we help ensure fairness and efficiency in service across the region. It also allows us to make the best possible use of available vehicles and resources, so that all customers receive timely and reliable service.

Even when challenges arise, Niagara Transit remains committed to delivering responsive, respectful, and customer-focused service.

If you have any questions or need to update your contact information, please contact the Specialized Transit team directly. We’re here to help.

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