HAMILTON, ON – To mark 150 years of service for Hamilton Street Railway (HSR), today, HSR hosted a grand opening ceremony to unveil Tourism Hamilton’s latest exhibit, Take a Ride with HSR: Celebrating 150 Years of Connections, created in partnership with HSR staff.
“For 150 years, the HSR has been a lifeline in our city. It is more than just a transit system; it’s the backbone of our community, seamlessly getting people to where they need to go. From its horse-drawn streetcar days to its modern fleet, the HSR has been pivotal in enhancing mobility, fostering community, and driving progress,” said Mayor Andrea Horwath. “As we celebrate this milestone, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the entire HSR team for their unwavering dedication and service to our city, and for their passion for our community.”
This free exhibit at the Visitor Experience Centre opens today and will remain open to the community until December 21, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 10 am to 4 pm. It explores HSR’s legacy, highlighting artifacts and photographs for the very first time.
“Today, I want to recognize our dedicated HSR staff, led by Director Maureen Cosyn Heath, for their tireless work in ensuring the smooth operation and continuous improvement of our transit system,” said Marnie Cluckie, City Manager. “The HSR plays a vital role in realizing City Council’s priority to ensure Safe and Thriving Neighborhoods. By offering safe and efficient transit options, we’re fostering vibrant neighbourhoods and ensuring accessibility for all residents and visitors. As we look forward, we remain committed to providing exceptional transit services that support Hamilton’s growth and vitality.”
The event also included a display of a historic HSR trolley bus. In attendance were Mayor Horwath, several local City Councillors, City Manager Cluckie, Director Cosyn Heath, and other local dignitaries.
“As we gather to commemorate 150 years of the HSR, we’re not just marking a milestone, we’re honouring a legacy that has shaped our city year after year. It is with immense pride and gratitude to lead the team of 1,000 dedicated HSR staff that work to ensure a healthy, safe and reliable transit system each and every day. Here’s to another 150 years of the HSR,” said Maureen Cosyn Heath, Director of Transit.
A number of activities are taking place to commemorate HSR’s 150 years of service in Hamilton until the end of the year. To learn more, visit www.hamilton.ca/HSR150. HSR 150 celebrations have been sponsored by Vontas.
Quick Facts:
- HSR has been connecting communities and facilitating opportunities for Hamilton residents and visitors since May 1874, making it one of the longest-running transit agencies in Canada.
- HSR started service with six streetcars, 22 horses and three, quarter miles of track. The earliest vehicles seated 14 passengers. Today, HSR has 308 buses in its fleet, serving 243 square kilometres on 35 routes.
- Each year, HSR transports an average of 21 million riders, approximately 55,000 riders a day.
- The name Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) references its early period when public transit in Hamilton was primarily served by street cars that ran on rail.
- Since HSR’s inception, the City has continued to invest in operating and capital expenses for transit, including additional service hours for service expansion, more buses, and a second maintenance facility.
- HSR pioneered the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) in North America, converting its first diesel buses in 1985. Since then, the CNG-powered bus fleet has expanded, with nearly 90 per cent of buses expected to run on CNG by the end of 2024.
- HSR is currently working on its (re)Designed Network, which aims to optimize the customer experience and modernize the transit network to align with evolving needs while maximizing the benefits of the future LRT.