Public Transportation in Burlington
Summary: Learning how to get around using public transportation in Burlington is an important step in adjusting to life in Burlington. In this article, we cover the local public transportation options.
Burlington, located in the province of Ontario, offers a variety of public transportation options for its residents and visitors. The city is served by Burlington Transit, which operates a network of bus routes throughout the city. For those looking to travel further afield, the city is also served by GO Transit, a regional public transit system that connects Burlington with other cities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Additionally, Via Rail provides intercity train service from Burlington. With these options, it is possible for an expat living in Burlington to comfortably live without a car, relying on the public transportation system and walking.
Burlington Transit
Burlington Transit operates a network of bus routes that cover the entire city. The buses are clean, safe, and reliable, making them a good option for anyone, including women traveling alone or children going to school. The cost of a single ride is $3.50, but there are also monthly passes available for frequent riders. The routes are well-planned, ensuring that most parts of the city are easily accessible by bus. For example, Route 1 provides service from the city's downtown area to the Burlington GO Station, making it easy for commuters to connect with regional transit services.
GO Transit
GO Transit is a regional public transit system that serves the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, including Burlington. The system operates both bus and train services, providing connections to other cities in the region. The Burlington GO Station is a major hub on the system's Lakeshore West line, providing frequent train service to Toronto and Hamilton. The station is also served by several GO bus routes. The cost of a ride on GO Transit varies depending on the distance traveled, but a trip from Burlington to Toronto, for example, costs approximately $10. The system is safe and reliable, making it a good option for longer trips.
Via Rail
Via Rail, Canada's national passenger rail service, also provides service from Burlington. The city's station is located on the company's Quebec City-Windsor Corridor, which is the most heavily-traveled rail route in Canada. This means that Burlington residents have access to intercity train service to a variety of destinations, including Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. The trains are comfortable and safe, and the cost of a ticket varies depending on the destination. For example, a one-way ticket from Burlington to Toronto costs approximately $30.
Walking and Cycling
Burlington is a very walkable city, with a Walk Score of 54. This means that most errands can be accomplished on foot. The city also has a number of bike lanes and trails, making it a good place for cycling. In fact, Burlington was named one of the top three cities in Canada for cycling by the Share the Road Cycling Coalition in 2017. So, whether you're walking or cycling, getting around Burlington without a car is definitely doable.
In conclusion, Burlington, Canada offers a variety of public transportation options that make it possible to live comfortably without a car. Whether you're commuting to work, going to school, or just running errands, the city's transit systems can get you where you need to go.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.