Commuters in Waterloo Region can now take advantage of free transfers between Grand River Transit (GRT) and GO Transit buses as part of an expansion to the Connect-to-GO rebate program. Effective April 1, 2026, the program allows residents to transfer between GRT and GO buses and receive a rebate on the local GRT fare.
The update builds on a previous initiative that only provided rebates for train travel. This program is a partnership between the Region of Waterloo and Metrolinx, intended to make transit more affordable and create seamless connections throughout the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area.
To access the rebate, riders must be enrolled in the program using their EasyGO fare card. When boarding, passengers pay the local transit fare as usual, then tap their card on a Connect-to-GO validator located at designated connection points. The system automatically processes a refund for the local fare. MobilityPLUS customers can also use the program; once enrolled, they do not need to pay a fare when travelling to and from GO stations.
New validators have been installed at key connection hubs, including the Sportsworld station in Kitchener, the Pinebush station in Cambridge, and the University of Waterloo station. The existing validator at the Kitchener Train Station has also been upgraded to process bus connections alongside train services.
Waterloo Region Chair Karen Redman noted that the expansion is expected to make regional travel more accessible. She added that the move supports local climate goals by encouraging more residents to choose transit for their daily commutes.
