Transit ON Demand

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use Transit ON Demand to travel anywhere in Barrie?

  No, the ToD service is currently only available in a select zone and the to/from designated bus stops within that area. 

  Effective May 1, 2024, Transit ON Demand is expanding to additional zones. Learn about the upcoming changes. 

• Why is the TOD service only offered in one part of Barrie?

  In this area of Barrie (PDF), population density is low, which means there are not as many transit customers as there are in other established communities. This makes it expensive and inefficient to provide traditional bus service with fixed routes and schedules. On demand, shared transportation service​ provides a cost-effective and efficient transit service in this area.

  Effective May 1, 2024, Transit ON Demand is expanding to additional zones. Learn about the upcoming changes. 

• When did the Transit ON Demand service launch?

  The City launched the Transit ON Demand pilot on August 17, 2020, servicing an area from Huronia Road and Lockhart Road to Bayview Drive and Little Avenue. The pilot was a success with riders receiving faster trips, shorter wait times and reporting high satisfaction. The cost of providing ToD is equal to the cost of conventional service, but can cover more area, resulting in a more efficient service for Barrie. The ToD zone expanded to add additional stops.

• Can children under 12 use this service?

  Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Strollers are permitted on board.

• How long can I expect to wait for the bus?

  Pickup times are estimates and can vary up to 10 minutes during off-peak traffic times and 18 minutes during peak traffic times. You will receive updates on arrival times in the app and get a text message when your ride is close using real-time traffic predictions.

• How long can I expect my trip to take?

  This is a shared transportation service so there may be up to ten other customers in the vehicle at one time. Rides may not be direct because the driver may pick up or drop off other customers along the way. When you select your trip, the app will provide you with an accurate and guaranteed "arrive before" time and your trip will not take longer than 25 minutes.

• Can I bring oversized items such as groceries, a bike or luggage?

  You can bring luggage or grocery bags on board, but they cannot be placed on seats if other passengers require them. Bikes may also come onboard the bus, but you must hold the bike to secure it while onboard. You are responsible for loading/unloading your belongings.

• Can I bring my pet on the bus?

  As with regular transit service, passengers who require the support of a service animal are permitted to bring their service animal onto the vehicle and into a transit facility at any time. For the safety of all passengers, service animals must always be securely leashed and under the care and control of the owner. Vehicle operator, authorized transit staff, supervisor or security may ask for confirmation of service animal certification.

• Is the Transit ON Demand bus accessible?

  The ToD bus if fully accessible and will allow for up to 1 wheelchair to ride at a time. To ensure availability, there is an option to select this service when booking a ride. As with regular public transit service, the driver does not assist you in entering or exiting the vehicle, or from door-to-door. If you require door-to-door accessible transit service, please visit Barrie Transit Specialized Transit.

• Can I cancel my booking?

  Yes, you can cancel your trip by selecting it in the app and clicking ‘cancel’. If you must cancel your trip, aim to cancel it at least 60 minutes prior to boarding. To ensure service quality, we ask all customers to:

  • Plan your trip well and allocate adequate time between transfers
  • Book ONLY one trip and not multiple trips from point A to B
  • Cancel your trip prior to boarding rather than keeping your trip and not showing up
     

  Cancellations are also accepted via the booking phone line during booking hours: 7:30am–5:30pm, Monday–Friday and 9am–5pm, Saturday/Sunday. Phone cancellations should be done at least 30 minutes in advance. 

  Your account could be reviewed if you have a high late cancellation rate (cancelling less than 30 minutes prior to boarding time 3+ times in one calendar month). When your account is under review, we will first contact you to get a better understanding of the situation, provide trip-planning tips and issue a warning. If the issue continues, Barrie Transit may suspend the account.

• I’m running behind. How long will the bus wait for me?

  To ensure a fast trip for all riders and accurate timing predictions, the maximum time the vehicle will wait for you at your requested pickup location is 30 seconds. The expectation is riders are waiting at the stop. To ensure service quality, we ask all customers to:

  • Plan your trip well and allocate adequate time between transfers
  • Book ONLY one trip and not multiple trips from point A to B
  • Cancel your trip prior to boarding rather than keeping your trip and not showing up
• What if I miss my trip?

  If you fail to board your ride without prior cancellation 3+ times in the last calendar month, your account will come under review. When your account is under review, we will first contact you to get a better understanding of the situation, provide trip-planning tips and issue a warning. If the issue continues, Barrie Transit may suspend the account. To ensure service quality, we ask all customers to:

  • Plan your trip well and allocated adequate time between transfers
  • Book ONLY one trip and not multiple trips from point A to B
  • Cancel your trip at least 60 minutes prior to boarding rather than keeping your trip and not showing up
• Will I be picked up at my house?

  No, the bus will pick you up at the nearest Transit ON Demand stop in your zone. It will drop you off within your zone at the Transit ON Demand stop closest to your destination or at a connection stop, so you can transfer to other routes.

• How do I book a trip?

  Download the Barrie Transit ON Demand app (BarrieTOD) and set up an account. Then select the ‘to/from’ of a trip and time you would like to travel. The ‘arrive before’ time on a trip is a guaranteed arrival time.

• Can I book future trips?

  You can book trips up to 7 days in advance, with no limit on the number of trips per day.

• When I book, is my trip guaranteed?

  A trip is booked and guaranteed when you receive approval from the app immediately after selecting the trip. The app will not make a booking if a trip is unavailable.

• Can a rider ‘walk up’ to a bus for a trip?

  No, riders need to be booked via the app for the system to perform properly (i.e. to generate accurate pickup and drop-off times)

• How many people can I book onto the bus?

  The ToD​ maximum capacity is 11 people or 10 if one of those people is in a wheelchair.

• I don’t have a smart phone. How can I book a ride?

  You can book a ride with Transit ON Demand at book.barrietod.rideco.com. If internet service is an issue, please contact our booking agents at 705-792-5033 (press 1). Call-in booking hours are 7:30am–5:30pm, Monday–Friday and 9am–5pm, Saturday/Sunday. Effective May 1, 2024, call 705-726-4242 and follow the prompts.