Bringing Transit
Into Wine Country
A dedicated shuttle service bridging GO Transit and VIA Rail stations directly to Niagara's winery estates, no car required.
Safer Roads,
Happier Visitors
Reducing impaired driving, cutting liability for wineries, and giving every visitor a relaxed, worry-free experience across Niagara's wine country.
From Train Platform To Vineyard Door
Seamless transfers at GO Transit and VIA Rail stations, closing the gap between existing rail networks and Niagara's winery clusters.
Connecting Transit
to Wine Country
The Niagara Region Wine Region Shuttle is an innovative transit service planning proposal designed to bridge the "last-mile" gap between major GO Transit and VIA Rail stations and the Niagara Region's thriving winery economy.
Our Goal
To introduce a dedicated, reliable public transit service that reduces reliance on personal vehicles, ensuring safe, accessible travel across the region's wineries for tourists, residents and workers.
By focusing on low-carbon mobility, the Niagara Wine Country Shuttle supports provincial environmental goals while unlocking unprecedented growth for small and medium-sized winery enterprises.
Addressing a Recognized
Mobility Gap
The Niagara Region welcomes 2.6 million visitors annually, generating $1 billion in tourism revenue. Despite this volume, there is currently no public link connecting GO Transit and VIA Rail stations directly to the region's dispersed wineries.
Visitors are left with private tours, which are often costly and limited, or driving personal vehicles, leading to a higher risk of impaired driving on rural roads.
Dependence on single-occupancy vehicles creates congestion, increases carbon footprint, and limits accessibility for non-drivers including seniors and international tourists.
Project Benefits for
Everyone
This project is built to serve both the local economy and the people who live and work in the Niagara region.
Community Benefits
Safer Roads
By offering a reliable alternative to personal vehicle travel, this shuttle directly mitigates the risk of impaired driving.
Transit for Everyone
Provides essential, accessible transportation options for residents, seniors and youth.
Low-Carbon Tourism
Facilitates seamless, environmentally friendly group tourism opportunities, lowering the region's carbon footprint.
Winery & Business Benefits
Workforce Mobility
A dependable transportation solution for winery employees to get to and from work safely.
Reduced Liability
Helps protect businesses by actively reducing impaired driving risks among patrons.
Marketing & Visibility
Low-cost marketing opportunities, including visibility on shuttle branding and promotions.
Visitor Insights
Valuable data on visitor travel patterns to help businesses understand customer flow.
Proposed Routes
Two fixed routes designed to seamlessly integrate with the provincial GO Transit and VIA Rail networks.
St. Catharines Gateway
Connects the St. Catharines VIA/GO Station directly to wineries in the Town of Lincoln, including Vineland Estates, Hidden Bench, Rosewood, Tawse, and more.
Niagara Falls Hub
Connects the Niagara Falls VIA/GO Station directly to wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake, including Peller, Chateau des Charmes, Ravine Vineyard, and the full NOTL circuit.
Supporting
Low-Carbon Tourism
The proposed shuttle fleet will leverage clean technology to minimize the environmental footprint of regional tourism. We aim to use this project as a template for low-carbon tourism transit across Ontario.
Help Shape This Service
We invite local wineries, businesses and community members to help shape the future of this service.
Partner with CUTRIC to
Shape This Service
CUTRIC (Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium) is seeking partners, sponsors, and community stakeholders to help bring this vision to life.
A CUTRIC Initiative
Leading Canada's transition to low-carbon mobility through innovation, research, and cross-sector collaboration.
