Grand River Transit is encouraging riders to spend some time getting familiar with the major changes coming to the region's transit service when ION light rail is integrated with the bus network later this month.

ION service launches on June 21. The following Monday approximately 800 different stops in Kitchener and Waterloo will change.

"This is the largest change GRT has seen in years — probably ever. Perhaps amalgamation of service in 2000 would compare," said Peter Zinck, director of transit services for Grand River Transit.

"Some are new locations, some route changes where a route is added to a stop. Others would be stops with removed services and some bus stops will be not in service any longer."

New trip planner

Zinck said GRT knows there will be some confusion.

"It's compounded this time of year by detoured services due to road construction and messaging all of that information to customers is a challenge," he said.

"We know customers just want to get on the bus, go where they're going and get off at the same location and have it easily understood — and have the bus on time."

To that end, Grand River Transit has put together a trip planner tool that allows riders to map out their future commute. Zinck also recommends people take time to check out their new stop in person.

"It does help, getting out there, on the ground," Zinck said. "Sometimes it's not as obvious on the [network] map."

Buses will not go to Charles Street Terminal

Extra staff will be on location at stops and stations that will undergo major change, including Forest Glen Plaza, Highland Hills, Fairview Park mall and Charles Street Terminal — which is being closed by Grand River Transit.

After June 24, local transit buses will no longer stop at the Charles Street Terminal. In July, customer service and ticketing will move to a new storefront at King and Benton, Zinck said.

Out of town buses, including Greyhound and GO Transit, will run out of the terminal until the region's new transit hub is complete.

Construction on the new hub is expected to begin next year.

Zinck said the regional government, which is responsible for Grand River Transit and its properties, has made no decisions about the future of the property that includes Charles Street Terminal.