HSR Next

Last updated

HSR Next
Overview
Locale Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Transit type Light rail / bus rapid transit
Number of lines6
Website (Re)envision the HSR
Operation
Operator(s) Hamilton Street Railway (buses), TBD (LRT)
Technical
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

HSR Next is a plan for a frequent rapid transit system operated by the Hamilton Street Railway in the city of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The plans include an overhaul of the existing bus network, converting it from a hub-and-spoke network to a point-to-point network. Also included are six rapid routes, with one light rail transit (LRT) line, and five bus rapid transit (BRT) lines, alongside changes to local routes and additional on-demand transit zones. The system was approved by Hamilton City Council on September 15, 2025, and is planned for implementation beginning in 2026. [1]

Contents

History

ICTS proposal (1981)

In 1981, during Bill Davis's Progressive Conservative administration, the Province of Ontario offered to finance the construction of a light metro in Hamilton from Lloyd D. Jackson Square to the Lime Ridge Mall. The line would have employed the ICTS platform used in the Scarborough RT in Toronto and the Expo Line in Vancouver. The plan, however, faced significant local opposition, and Hamilton-Wentworth Council rejected the proposal. The plan called for an elevated track –one of the elements that triggered opposition, with residents suggesting commuters would be invading their privacy by looking down on their backyards and in their second-floor windows. [2]

BLAST network and Rapid Ready (2007–2019)

The BLAST network was a former iteration of Hamilton's transit network planning. It was initially proposed as part of the city's 2007 transportation master plan, with three lines which would become the BLAST A-, B-, and T-Lines. Other corridors, including the BLAST S-Line, were also identified for future expansion.

These corridors were later incorporated by Metrolinx as part of its regional transportation plan, The Big Move, approved in September 2008. [3] [4] The L-Line would not be conceived until an October 2008 report from city staff, at which point the network was given the BLAST name. [5]

In February 2013, the City of Hamilton would release a transportation plan entitled Rapid Ready. [6] [7] Initially intended as a five year plan prior to the B-Line LRT delays, this report set out three main objectives to ensure effective usage of the LRT:


The B-Line LRT and A-Line were among The Big Move's prioritized transit expansion projects and were funded by the Government of Ontario in May 2015. [8] Originally, the A-Line was planned to be a 2-kilometre (1.2 mi) light rail transit (LRT) spur from King Street to West Harbour GO Station, and potentially extending to Hamilton Harbour; however, this was reassessed and cut due to budget concerns and reported community desire for greater route coverage. [9] The A-Line was henceforth planned as a bus rapid transit service from the waterfront to Hamilton Airport. [10] [11] Upon Metrolinx's 2041 Regional Transportation Plan being published in March 2018, the waterfront portion was dropped. The agency would recommend dedicated BRT from West Harbour GO to Rymal Road, and priority bus service from Rymal Road to the airport. [12]

LRT defunding and revival, (Re)envision the HSR (2019–2025)

In January 2019, the City of Hamilton launched a project entitled (Re)envision the HSR to solicit feedback from the community on an improved system network. [13] [14] This was justified by the Rapid Ready plan's objectives of multi-modality and an LRT-supportive bus network.

Through 2019, Hamilton and Metrolinx were preparing to build the B-Line LRT. [15] Land acquisition and building demolition for a 14-kilometre (8.7 mi) line from McMaster University to Eastgate Square had started. [16]

On December 16, 2019, the Government of Ontario announced it was cancelling its funding for the LRT due to cost overruns. [17] The provincial Ministry of Infrastructure noted that provincial funds originally planned for the Hamilton LRT project would be redistributed to other transportation infrastructure projects, with consultation with a newly formed Hamilton Transportation Task Force and Hamilton's city council. [18]

On April 9, 2020, the Hamilton Transportation Task Force released the report, suggested that the city need a "higher order transit project", and it could be either LRT on B-Line or BRT on both A-Line and B-Line. [19]

On February 9, 2021, the province reversed its decision and reinstated the project as the Hamilton LRT. [20] City documents continue to refer to the LRT as the B-Line, however Metrolinx has discontinued use of this name. The current Route 10 B-Line Express, which runs along the same corridor, retains the moniker.

In July 2021, the city received $370 million from the provincial and federal governments to be used for the transportation network, alongside a $134 million contribution from the city. [21] [22] This included provisions for:


By 2023, planning work on the (Re)envision the HSR project began to show fruits. According to a city report from April 2023, the BLAST network was insufficient due to incomplete links between high-use transit areas, poor connections, and poor access to rapid transit across Hamilton communities. [23] The city claims the redesigned network will place approximately 309,000 residents will be within 800 metres (2,600 ft) of rapid transit, a 23% increase over the original BLAST network concept. [24]

The project was an evolution of the BLAST network with the following changes:

The BLAST network branding would no longer be used in public-facing material but would continue to be used for internal planning leading up to HSR Next's announcement.

On November 6, 2024, Metrolinx released a request for qualifications for civil works and utilities along the LRT route, using an alliance delivery model. [25] In May 2025, Metrolinx announced that four consortia had been shortlisted for the civil works and utilities package. [26]

HSR Next (from 2025)

On June 24, 2025, Metrolinx hosted a virtual open house for the Hamilton LRT. [27] During the presentation, Nicholas Chaloux, HSR manager of transit strategic planning, unveiled the resulting network of the (Re)envision the HSR initiative, branded as HSR Next. The plan intends to shift away from the existing hub-and-spoke network to a point-to-point network, improving efficiency and cutting trip times. The myRide on-demand service is also planned to be expanded to parts of Dundas, Ancaster, Glanbrook, Stoney Creek, more areas of Waterdown, and in the southeast portion of Hamilton Mountain from Heritage Greene Shopping Centre to Elfrida Gateway.

As part of the new point-to-point network, West Harbour GO Station is intended to become a new primary lower city terminal. The proposed alignment map shows no routes passing through the current Frank A. Cooke Transit Terminal, [28] [29] and the final report assumes that the terminal will be decommissioned, to be replaced with a transit hub along James Street. [30] Travel from the Hamilton LRT to local GO Transit stations, as well as between transit hubs, will require no more than one transfer. Due to the scope of the plan, route changes are to be phased in gradually. The rapid bus lines retain the B-L-A-S-T-E letters in their naming, but route maps now feature the route numbering instead.

On September 15, 2025, Hamilton City Council unanimously approved the HSR Next proposal. [1]

Proposed rapid transit lines

Timelines are subject to change. [28] [30]

LineTypeCorridor / main routeTerminiOpening targetFrequency target (peak)Additional notes
Hamilton LRT Logo.jpg Hamilton LRT LRT Main Street, King Street, Queenston Road McMaster University Eastgate Square TBAEvery 6 minutesOften referred to by the city as the B-Line LRT. Owned by Metrolinx. Hamilton city council has recommended the line be operated privately (i.e. not by the HSR) for the first 10 years. Currently served by 10 B-Line Express.
HSR 10 B-Line East.svg B-Line EastBRT or priority bus Queenston Road, Barton Street, Fifty Road Eastgate Square Winona CrossingBy end of 2029Every 20 minutesRuns express service between Eastgate Square and Stoney Creek Gateway, local service to Winona Crossing. Displayed as a rapid line on city maps, but listed as non-express Route 74 on final report. Currently served by 55 Stoney Creek Central.
HSR 20 A-Line.svg A-Line BRT and priority bus James Street, Upper James Street Pier 8 Waterfront Hamilton International Airport Currently implemented as express/local busEvery 10 minutesCurrently known as 20 A-Line Express, operating express service between Pier 8 and Mountain Transit Centre, local service to Hamilton International Airport. Improvements are funded between West Harbour GO Station and the airport. Planned to exclusively operate 60 foot articulated buses by end of 2026.
HSR 30 S-Line.svg S-LinePriority bus Queenston Road, Red Hill Valley Parkway, Upper Red Hill Valley Parkway, Rymal Road, Garner Road Parkdale LRT StationAncaster GatewayPartial service by end of 2027, full service by end of 2029Every 10 minutesExpress service between Parkdale LRT Station and Redeemer University, local service to Ancaster Gateway. Planned to exclusively operate 60 foot articulated buses by end of 2030. Currently served by 11 Parkdale and 44 Rymal.
HSR 40 E-Line.svg E-LinePriority bus Centennial Parkway, Upper Centennial Parkway, Rymal Road, Upper Red Hill Valley Parkway Confederation GO Station Heritage GreenePartial service by end of 2027, full service by end of 2030Every 10 minutesExpress service between Confederation GO and Elfrida Gateway, and between Rymal / Upper RHVP and Heritage Greene. Local service along Rymal Road. Planned to exclusively operate 60 foot articulated buses by end of 2031. Currently served by 44 Rymal.
HSR 50 T-Line.svg T-LinePriority bus Cootes Drive, Main Street West, Golf Links Road, Mohawk Road, Limeridge Road Downtown Dundas Heritage GreeneBy end of 2032Every 10 minutesExpress service between McMaster University and Wilson Steet East/Rousseaux Road, as well as between Meadowlands and Heritage Greene. Local service between McMaster University and Downtown Dundas, as well as between Wilson Street East/Rousseaux Road and Meadowlands. Currently served by 5(A) Delaware, 41 Mohawk, 42 Mohawk East, and 21 Upper Kenilworth.
HSR 60 L-Line.svg L-LinePriority bus Highway 6, York Boulevard, James Street, Upper James Street, Mohawk Road East, Upper Ottawa Street, Ottawa Street The Centre on Barton Waterdown Gateway Partial short-turn service between Cityview Park (Burlington) and Lime Ridge Mall by end of 2028, full service by end of 2030Every 20 minutesExpress service. Currently served within Hamilton by 41 Mohawk, and partially served to Waterdown by 9 Rock Gardens and 18 Waterdown.
HSR 60A L-Line.svg L-Line James Street, Upper James Street, Mohawk Road East, Upper Ottawa Street, Ottawa Street West Harbour GO Station Every 10 minutesExpress service. Currently served by 41 Mohawk and 20 A-Line Express.

Prior to the 2019 defunding, the A-Line and B-Line projects were originally targeted to be completed in 2024. A contract for the Hamilton LRT is expected to be issued in early 2026. [27] No timeline is currently provided for the beginning of construction or updated target date for opening.

References

  1. 1 2 Van Dongen, Matthew (September 15, 2025). "Hamilton signs off on first major HSR bus route overhaul in decades". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  2. ↑ Cory Ruf (May 27, 2014). "LRT and lessons to be learned from Hamilton's first flirtation with urban trains: In 1981, Council turned down elevated train line, despite province's vow to foot most of the bill". CBC News. Archived from the original on May 28, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Routes and Corridor Maps". City of Hamilton. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  4. ↑ "The Big Move" (PDF). Metrolinx. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  5. ↑ Capital Planning & Implementation Division (October 7, 2008). "Rapid Transit Feasibility Study – Metrolinx Draft Regional Transportation Plan (PW08043d)" (PDF). City of Hamilton Public Works Department. pp. 5, 12, 48. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 18, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Rapid Ready". City of Hamilton. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Rapid Ready - Expanding Mobility Choices in Hamilton (PW13014)" (PDF). City of Hamilton Public Works Department, Transportation Division. February 27, 2013. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  8. ↑ Kevlahan, Nicholas (May 26, 2015). "Hamilton Gets YES for an Answer". Raise the Hammer. Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  9. ↑ Aaron, McCormack (February 3, 2017). "New proposed transit line connects waterfront to Hamilton International Airport". CHCH. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  10. ↑ Government of Ontario (February 2, 2015). "Ontario Moving Forward with More Transit Options for Hamilton". Province of Ontario Newsroom. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  11. ↑ City of Hamilton. "Hamilton Light Rail Transit Environmental Project Report Addendum for B-Line" (PDF). City of Hamilton eScribe Meetings. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  12. ↑ "2041 Regional Transportation Plan For the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area" (PDF). Metrolinx. March 8, 2018. pp. 157–158. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  13. ↑ "City of Hamilton – Transit Division begins a comprehensive community engagement campaign to (Re)envision the HSR". City of Hamilton. January 22, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  14. ↑ "HSR (re)Designed Network". Engage Hamilton. City of Hamilton. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  15. ↑ Craggs, Samantha (April 11, 2019). "Provincial budget confirms – again – that Hamilton will get LRT". CBC News. Archived from the original on June 25, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  16. ↑ Craggs, Samantha (March 28, 2019). "Metrolinx resumes buying land for Hamilton LRT after 7-month pause". CBC News. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  17. ↑ Craggs, Samantha (December 30, 2019). "With the province pulling money from LRT, will BRT have its time?". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on January 19, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Important announcement regarding Hamilton LRT project". www.infrastructureontario.ca. Queen's Printer for Ontario. December 16, 2019. Archived from the original on March 1, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Hamilton Transportation Task Force Report". Ontario . April 9, 2020. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  20. ↑ Craggs, Samantha (February 9, 2021). "LRT is back on the table in Hamilton — but depends on the feds, province says". CBC. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  21. ↑ Canada and Ontario invest in improved public transit for residents of Hamilton
  22. ↑ Van Dongen, Matthew (July 19, 2021). "Hamilton scores $370 million to expand bus system — on top of LRT cash". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  23. ↑ "(Re)envision the HSR – the (re)Designed HSR Network (PW23021)". City of Hamilton eScribe Meetings. City of Hamilton. Retrieved July 8, 2025. While the original plans formed a solid foundation for the expansion of rapid transit in Hamilton, the BLAST plan had a few gaps. BLAST lacked a connection between Ancaster and McMaster University, lacked maximized connections between all high transit use areas (hubs) to one another, lacked direct connections between all rapid routes, and did not provide access to rapid transit in all communities. (Re)envision offered an opportunity to enhance the BLAST network within the proposed Rail Ready network.
  24. ↑ "(Re)envision the HSR". City of Hamilton. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
  25. ↑ "Hamilton LRT procurement takes a big step forward". www.metrolinx.com. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  26. ↑ "Ontario issues Hamilton LRT request for proposals". Railway Gazette International. May 26, 2025. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  27. 1 2 "Hamilton LRT Virtual Open House 2025". Metrolinx. June 25, 2025. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  28. 1 2 "Rail Ready System Map" (PDF). City of Hamilton. April 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  29. ↑ "HSR's (re)Designed Transit Network – For Public Consultation". Remix. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  30. 1 2 Arcadis Professional Services (February 2025). "HSR Next: Moving Hamilton Forward, Final Report". City of Hamilton. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
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