About Us

History and details about TUG

By TUG, Last Updated Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Our History

The Hamilton Transit Users Group (TUG) was founded in late 2003 with two fundamental convictions:

  • Public transit is a crucial municipal service, central to the health of this community;
  • Public transit planners and providers must respond to the needs of transit users.

We are building a strong, broad-based membership across the City of Hamilton. Only as a group can transit users take effective action and achieve meaningful results.

Transit Blueprint for Hamilton [PDF], TUG's vision for the future of Hamilton's transit was released on Thursday, March 18, 2004. The report analyzes trends in Hamilton's transit system, the impacts they have on the City, and offers recommendations to move toward a more sustainable future.

Hamilton TUG receives organizational support from Environment Hamilton and OPIRG-McMaster's Transportation for Liveable Communities (TLC) working group.

HTUG appointed to VIA Rail Commitee

The Hamilton Transit Users Group has been given a seat on a committee to re-establish a VIA Rail station in downtown Hamilton. The move was initiated by downtown councillor Bob Bratina who convinced City Council to form the committee in late January.

The last VIA train stopped in Hamilton in 1992, leaving Aldershot as the closest place to begin a rail trip to anywhere beyond the GO Transit service area. Restoration of VIA service to the city was announced in May 2001 by then federal transport minister David Collenette who promised morning and evening rush hour service to Toronto.

About eight VIA trains currently pass through Hamilton every weekday. A trip from Aldershot to union station in Toronto takes only 35 minutes, whereas GO train service from Hamilton is over an hour. The tracks used by VIA also extend through east Hamilton and Stoney Creek and down the Niagara peninsula.