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HSR Next
Overview
LocaleHamilton, Ontario, Canada
Transit typeLight rail / bus rapid transit
Number of lines6
Website(Re)envision the HSR
Operation
Operator(s)Hamilton Street Railway (buses), TBD (LRT)
Technical
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

HSR Next is a plan proposal for a frequent rapid transit system operated by the Hamilton Street Railway in the city of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The plans intend overhaul the existing bus network, converting it from a hub-and-spoke network to a point-to-point network. The plans include 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. As of July 6, 2025, the system is awaiting city council approval and is planned for implementation in September 2026.

History

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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 back-yards and in their second floor windows.[1]

The BLAST network was a former iteration of HSR Next, conceived as part of the city's 2007 transportation master plan. It was later incorporated by Metrolinx as part of its regional transportation plan, The Big Move.[2][3] The B-Line LRT and A-Line were among the plan's prioritized transit expansion projects and were funded by the Government of Ontario in May 2015.[4] Originally, the A-Line was planned to be a 2-kilometre 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. The A-Line was henceforth planned as a BRT from the waterfront to Hamilton Airport.[5][6]

By 2019, Hamilton and Metrolinx were preparing to build the B-Line LRT.[7] Land acquisition and building demolition for a 14-kilometre (8.7 mi) line from McMaster University to Eastgate Square had started.[8] On December 16, 2019, the Government of Ontario announced it was cancelling its funding for the BLAST system's B-Line LRT, due to cost overruns.[9] 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.[10] 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 B-Line and A-Line.[11]

In 2019, the City of Hamilton launched a project entitled (Re)envision the HSR to solicit feedback from the community. The project was an evolution on the BLAST network. The new plan included an additional E-Line. As a result, the BLAST network branding was no longer used.

On February 9, 2021, the province reversed its decision and reinstated the project as the Hamilton LRT.[12] Though the LRT is no longer referred to as the B-Line, the bus service that currently runs along the equivalent route retains the name.

On June 24, 2025, Metrolinx hosted a virtual open house for the Hamilton LRT.[13] During the presentation, Nicholas Chaloux, HSR Manager of Transit Strategic Planning, unveiled the HSR Next network. 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 Waterdown, Ancaster, Glanbrook, Stoney Creek, more areas of Dundas, and in the southwest portion of Hamilton Mountain from Heritage Greene Shopping Centre to Elfrida Gateway. Travel from the Hamilton LRT to local GO Transit stations will require no more than one transfer.

Proposed rapid transit lines

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Routes are not finalized and are subject to change.[14]

Line Type Corridor / main route Termini Opening Target Additional Notes
Hamilton LRT LRT Main Street, King Street and Queenston Road McMaster University Eastgate Square TBA Formerly the B-Line LRT. Owned by Metrolinx, to be operated privately for the first 10 years. Currently served by 10 B-Line Express.
10 B-Line East BRT or priority bus Queenston Road, Barton Street and Fifty Road Eastgate Square Winona Crossing September 2026 Runs express service between Eastgate Square and Stoney Creek Gateway, local service to Winona Crossing. Previous plans have included BRT, however dedicated lanes have not been discussed since prior to the 2019 LRT cancellation. Currently served by 55 Stoney Creek Central.
20 A-Line BRT or priority bus James Street and Upper James Street Hamilton Waterfront Hamilton International Airport Currently implemented as express/local bus Currently known as Route 20 A-Line Express. Previous plans included a BRT along James Street, however this plan has not been discussed since prior to the 2019 LRT cancellation and has not received funding for a dedicated lane.
30 S-Line Priority bus Queenston Road, Red Hill Valley Parkway, Upper Red Hill Valley Parkway, Rymal Road and Garner Road Parkdale LRT Station Ancaster Gateway September 2026 Runs express service between Parkdale LRT Station and Redeemer University, local service to Ancaster Gateway. Currently served by 11 Parkdale and 44 Rymal.
40 E-Line Priority bus Centennial Parkway, Upper Centennial Parkway, Rymal Road, Upper Red Hill Valley Parkway Confederation GO Station Heritage Greene September 2026 Express service between Confederation GO and Elfrida Gateway, and between Rymal/Upper RHVP and Heritage Greene. Local service along Rymal Road. Currently served by Route 44 Rymal.
50 T-Line Priority bus Cootes Drive, Main Street West, Golf Links Road, Mohawk Road, Limeridge Road Downtown Dundas Heritage Greene September 2026 Runs express service between McMaster University and Wilson Steet East/Rousseaux Road, as well as between Meadowlands and Heritage Greene. Runs 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.
60 L-Line Priority bus Highway 6, York Boulevard, James Street, Upper James Street, Mohawk Road East, Upper Ottawa Street, Ottawa Street The Centre on Barton Waterdown Gateway September 2026 Express service. Currently served within Hamilton by 41 Mohawk, and partially served to Waterdown by 9 Rock Gardens and 18 Waterdown.
60A L-Line James Street, Upper James Street, Mohawk Road East, Upper Ottawa Street, Ottawa Street West Harbour GO Station Express service. Currently served by 41 Mohawk, 20 A-Line Express.

Though the A-Line and B-Line projects were originally targeted for 2024, the timeframe for both has slipped significantly. On November 6, 2024, Metrolinx issued a request for qualifications for utility relocation and renewal, roads, sidewalks and traffic control signals along the LRT route.[15] A contract is expected to be issued in early 2026.[13] No timeline is currently provided for the beginning of construction or updated target date for opening.

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Routes and Corridor Maps". City of Hamilton. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  3. ^ "The Big Move" (PDF). Metrolinx. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Government of Ontario (February 2, 2015). "Ontario Moving Forward with More Transit Options for Hamilton". Province of Ontario Newsroom. Retrieved April 11, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ City of Hamilton. "Hamilton Light Rail Transit Environmental Project Report Addendum for B-Line" (PDF). City of Hamilton eScribe Meetings. Retrieved April 11, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ "Hamilton Transportation Task Force Report". Ontario. April 9, 2020. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ a b "Hamilton LRT Virtual Open House 2025". Metrolinx. June 25, 2025. Retrieved July 6, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ "Rail Ready System Map" (PDF). City of Hamilton. April 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ Chandler, Justin (November 6, 2024). "Ontario starting process to hire contractor for Hamilton LRT construction work". CBC. Archived from the original on November 29, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
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