Multiple Changes Starting January 4, 2026
Starting January 4, 2026, we're updating several routes in St. Catharines and making minor adjustments in Welland. Here's what you need to know.
Why We're Making These Changes
The new St. Paul Street West bridge over the train tracks is open. That means some temporary routes we created during the closure are no longer needed, and other routes can return to their regular paths. We're also making adjustments recommended in the Transit Master Plan, including removing buses from residential side streets and adding service to the St. Catharines GO Train Station.
St. Catharines Route Changes
Route 303 (Pelham Road)
Route 303 returns to its regular path along St. Paul Street West with two changes:
The bus will no longer travel on Chetwood Street and Merigold Street. This change follows recommendations from the Transit Master Plan to remove buses from residential side streets.
On weekdays, Route 303 now serves the St. Catharines GO Train Station, providing 30-minute service throughout the day. The bus travels via Louth Street and Ridley Road to the station on Flourishing Way, then continues to the downtown terminal via St. Paul Street West.
This also means Route 303 will no longer serve inbound stops along Fourth Ave and Ontario St.
Route 403 - Service Ends
Evening and weekend Route 403 service ends on January 3, 2026. This was a temporary route during the bridge closure.
Route 315 (West St. Catharines)
Route 315 returns to its regular route across the St. Paul Street West bridge. It will no longer stop on Ontario Street and Fourth Avenue. Those stops were temporary during the bridge closure.
The bus travels between the downtown terminal and Pen Centre via St. Paul Street West, Vansickle Road, Westland Street, Pelham Road, and Glendale Avenue.
Route 415 (West St. Catharines)
Route 415 also returns to its regular route across the St. Paul Street West bridge and will no longer stop on Ontario Street and Fourth Avenue.
This route follows the same path as Route 315 but adds a stop at the Walmart Plaza on Louth Street in both directions.
Route 338 (GO Train Connections) - Service Ends
Route 338 ends on January 2, 2026. You no longer need the daytime shuttle because Route 303 now provides 30-minute weekday service to the St. Catharines GO Train Station.
Route 438 (GO Train Connections)
Route 438 continues to operate on evenings, weekends, and holidays with the express route.
The bus now uses Highway 406 to travel between downtown and the GO Train Station, making for a faster trip. Outbound, the bus travels via St. Paul Street, Carlisle Street, McGuire Street, and Highway 406, exiting at Fourth Avenue to reach the station on Flourishing Way. Inbound, the bus returns via Highway 406, exiting at Westchester, then travels Geneva Street and Race Street to the downtown terminal.
The bus arrives at the GO Station 10 minutes before the scheduled train departures and leaves 10 minutes after the train arrives.
Port Colborne and Welland Changes
Route 25 (Northbound Only)
Starting January 4, the northbound trip from Port Colborne City Hall to the Welland Bus Terminal becomes drop-off only on King Street. The bus will not pick up passengers on this stretch.
You can still get off at King Street destinations like the hospital, LifeLabs, and the seniors' centre. If you need to board on King Street, take Route 501 instead.
Why the change? Route 25 is an intermunicipal route that efficiently moves riders between Port Colborne and Welland. Picking up passengers on King Street slows the bus and causes bunching with Route 501, which already serves that corridor.
Southbound trips from Welland to Port Colborne stay the same.
Welland Bus Terminal Updates
We're reorganizing the Welland Bus Terminal to make it easier to navigate:
Route 25 moves to the regional platform, so you can find your bus more easily.
We're also adding platform space for Niagara Transit Plus to make pickups and drop-offs safer.
“These updates are about giving our riders a smoother and more reliable experience. Good connections and on-time service are an important part of people’s daily routines, and even a small change to our schedules can make a real difference. Our goal is to be a system people can count on, and we appreciate the trust riders place in us as we keep working to create a safer, more connected transit system for Niagara.”
Carla Stout, General Manager, Niagara Transit