Milton Transit reached a new milestone in 2024, logging more than one million paid rides — a 73 per cent increase in ridership compared to the previous year, according to its annual report.
In 2024, the combined total for conventional and OnDemand services reached 1,072,922 revenue passenger trips. Milton Transit delivered more than 69,000 service hours in 2024, up 19 per cent from the previous year.
A significant driver behind this growth was the launch of satellite campuses for Conestoga College and Wilfrid Laurier University, which boosted demand among post-secondary students.
While ridership has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, the agency noted changes in travel patterns due to hybrid work arrangements, a broader labour force reach and community growth, all of which have helped diversify ridership composition.
Notable trends include:
- 95 per cent of riders use discounted products or programs, rather than paying with cash
- 44 per cent of fares come from children, youth and post-secondary students
- 19 per cent of trips involve connections with GO Transit.
The 21 Steeles route, which began in September 2022 — serving Milton and Lisgar GO stations with stops along Steeles Avenue and Winston Churchill Boulevard — has seen significant growth. The route recorded more than 180,00 boardings in 2024, up 79 per cent from 2023.
Key destinations include Milton GO station (16 per cent), Lisgar GO station (19 per cent) and Toronto Premium Outlets (26 per cent). Staff expect ridership on this route to continue growing.
Looking ahead, Milton Transit is set to implement key elements of its five-year service plan, including:
- Improved service reliability and scheduling
- Service expansion into Boyne
- New Sunday service
- Extended weekday evening service until 10:30 p.m.
- Launch of a battery-electric bus conversion pilot project
- Procurement of new transit fleet and facility enhancements
For 2025, Milton Transit is projecting a ridership growth of 15 to 25 per cent. The 2024 transit services annual report will be discussed at the Milton council meeting on Monday (Mar. 17).