On-demand bus service

Guelph Transit uses on-demand bus service to complement its conventional bus service.

On-demand has no fixed route or schedule. You have the flexibility to book a ride in advance, or at the last minute, when it’s most convenient for you. It is the same price as a conventional trip. Book a ride using the free app, by phone or from the website, and the bus will pick up and drop off at pre-set locations throughout the city.

On-demand service uses buses. Unlike car services you would book via a smartphone app, your ride will be shared with other riders in a Guelph Transit vehicle.

On-demand bus service is available:

Day(s) Time
Monday to Saturday 8:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Sunday (NEW!) 7:15 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. with conventional Sunday service hours operating between 9:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Holidays 9:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.

NEW! Sunday Service

As of September 1, 2024, On-demand is being offered Sunday morning and evening.

Sunday Service diagram

  • NEW: On-demand service runs from 7:15 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  • The 99 Mainline will continue to run every 15 minutes south of Guelph Central Station and every 30 minutes north of Guelph Central Station from 7:15 a.m. to 10:15 p.m.
  • All other routes will continue to run every 30 minutes from 9:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
  • Dispatch for on-demand service will be available from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Holiday on-demand service

On statutory holidays, on-demand service can be booked from 9:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. to select bus stops in Guelph except for the 99 Mainline. The 99 Mainline continues to run every 30 minutes on statutory holidays.

Statutory holidays include: New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day

Exceptions: Civic Holiday and Boxing Day buses operate on Sunday service schedule, and Christmas Eve buses operate on regular service schedule ending at 7 p.m.

Book a ride

  • Download the ‘Guelph Transit On-demand’ app from either the App Store or Google Play OR
  • Visit book.ondemandyourway.com OR
  • Call an On-demand booking agent at 519-822-1811, prompt 5. Bookings can be made during these hours:
    • Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    • Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    • Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

How to book using the app

  • Download the Guelph Transit On-demand app.
  • Create an account by filling out the profile information.
  • Select a pickup or drop-off address by typing in the address bar at the top, or tap to select a drop-off or pickup point.
  • Tap on the address bar at the top to select your drop-off point. Choose from recent or recommended locations, or type in an address.
  • Choose seat type and number of riders.
  • Select the day that you would like to book this ride. Rides can be booked on demand, prescheduled, or multi-day recurring.
  • Choose the time for your pick-up.
  • Select ‘Find rides.’
  • Based on your selections, the system will show you the best set of rides to choose from. Choose a pickup and drop-off option that best suits you.
  • Once you’ve selected a pickup and drop-off ride, select ‘Ok.’
  • Confirm the information and add any special instructions or information that can help the bus operator identify you (i.e. “I’m wearing a red hat”). Click ‘Save’.
  • You can track your trip on the ‘Track My Ride’ screen. All your trip details are displayed here.
  • You have the option to cancel your trip, if necessary, by tapping the ‘Cancel the Ride’ button.
  • Be ready and waiting at your pickup point.
  • Board the bus and pay with your OnYourWay fare card.
  • Once you’ve been picked up, you can track your trip on your mobile device by using the map feature.
  • Once you’ve been dropped off, you can take a minute to provide feedback on your ride.

Ask for help

Call 519-822-1811, prompt 5 or email [email protected] if you have questions about the service. Our friendly staff can help guide you through the process of booking a ride or downloading the app.

Frequently asked questions

When is on-demand service offered?

Day(s) Time
Monday to Saturday 8:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Sunday (NEW!) 7:15 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. with conventional Sunday service hours operating between 9:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Holidays 9:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. in addition to the 99 mainline running every 30 minutes.

What is the cost of an on-demand ride?

On demand service is the same fare as regular service. Information on fares.

Can I book an unplanned ride?

On-demand provides similar, or better, flexibility/spontaneity than the current fixed-route service does. So yes, you can book a last-minute ride. Once you book a trip, the app will give you a pickup window and arrival time for your destination. You should be at the bus stop at the start of your pickup window time.

I don’t have a cell phone. How can I use the on-demand service?

We know that not all of our customers have access to a smartphone. In addition to the app, customers can book a ride at book.ondemandyourway.com or call 519-822-1811 prompt 5 to speak with a booking agent. Alternatively, customers can use the Guelph Public Library’s computers to book online or ask a Guelph Transit supervisor at Guelph Central Station to book on their behalf.

Will I need to transfer if I use on-demand transit?

If you’re using on-demand service from Monday to Saturday, you won’t need to transfer.

If you’re using Sunday on-demand service, you may need to transfer. There is a 15-minute window between on-demand and conventional service to account for operator travel time between services. If you are travelling between 8:45 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. or 6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., you may need to transfer from on-demand to conventional service.

If you’re using Statutory holiday on-demand service, you will only need to transfer if you are traveling to or from somewhere along Route 99.

Why can’t I book a trip that stops along the 99 Mainline?

On-demand service does not stop along the 99 Mainline along Woolwich, Norfolk and Gordon Streets except at Woodlawn Smart Centre, Guelph Central Station, the University Centre, or the Clair at Gosling westbound stop where you will be able to complete your trip using the 99 which runs alongside on-demand service.  

What can I expect for wait times?

Wait times will vary depending on the time of day you’d like to book your trip. Once you book a trip, the app will give you a pickup window and arrive by time for your destination. You should be at the bus stop at the start of your pickup window time.

If you have a smartphone with the app, you’ll be able to see where the bus is and when it is expected at the pickup location. You’ll also get a text message when your ride is close. This means less waiting in the cold winter.

However, please don’t be late. The maximum time the bus will wait for you at your requested pickup location is one minute.

How do I know which bus is mine?

On-demand service uses both conventional size buses and smaller buses. This means that rides may be shared with Mobility Services customers.

Every bus has a vehicle number that you can see from the outside of the vehicle — the number is located above the door and at the rear of the bus. The on-demand app will let you know which bus number is coming for you and in the text message that is sent to you.

How do I cancel a trip I’ve booked?

We understand that plans change and sometimes you may need to cancel an on-demand trip that you have already booked. Please cancel your trip as soon as possible through the app or by calling an agent at 519-822-1811, prompt 5.

Please be a courteous rider and only book what you need. When bookings fill up, rides become unavailable to others. Unused rides from no-shows or last-minute cancellations become wasted trips other riders could have used. Let’s make on-demand rides more accessible for everyone!

How can you ensure reliability and predictability?

The on-demand app will allow you to see exactly where your ride is while you wait, so you don’t have to worry that it has already come and gone or that it isn’t coming at all. Trips are designed by the app to take the fastest/best route for each trip or combination of trips. If there is a delay, you’ll get an update, so you always know what to expect.