WEGO Visitor Transportation System
The WEGO Visitor Transportation System (or WEGO) is a tourism-oriented bus service in Niagara Falls, Ontario. It is operated by the Niagara Parks Commission.
History
Prior to the launch of WEGO, service to the tourist attractions of Niagara Falls was provided by two separate bus systems. Niagara Falls Transit operated "Falls Shuttle" routes from Table Rock to Lundy's Lane or the intercity bus terminal in Downtown Niagara Falls, while Niagara Parks Commission's People Mover provided a spine route along the Niagara Parkway. Designs for a visitor transportation system to replace the People Mover's aging Orion IV buses were being developed in the early 2010s. A variety of modes and options were investigated; in the end, a "Bus Rapid Transit" system was approved.
In August 2011, a 10-year agreement to operate a combined system was reached between the City of Niagara Falls and the Niagara Parks Commission. The Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario will each provide $25 million in funding for the system. The parks commission will be responsible for operating, managing, and maintaining one route, and the city will be responsible for two routes.[1] The buses are owned by the city and will be shared by the parks commission. Buses will be leased to the parks commission for $1 per vehicle.[2] The WEGO brand name was announced on April 5, 2012. The pairing of the words "we" and "go" are meant to convey friendship, social activity, and adventure and exploration.[3]
The WEGO system officially launched on August 13, 2012. It was initially scheduled to begin operations on June 29, however a delay in installing the intelligent transportation technology necessitated pushing back the launch date.[4]
The Purple line was discontinued by the 2016 season, with a diversion added to the Green line to maintain service to the intercity bus terminal and Niagara Falls VIA Rail Station. Additionally, a new Orange Line was added, which provided service to Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Beginning on September 3, 2024, the WEGO system underwent significant changes, with operation of the Blue and Orange lines were transferred to the Parks Commission, while the Red Line was discontinued and replaced by a new local route operated by Niagara Region Transit. These changes leave the Parks Commission as the sole operator of the WEGO system.
Niagara Parks Commission employees are represented by Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), Local 217; while Niagara Falls Transit employees were represented by Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1582.
Routes
Current
- 602 Blue Line - Fallsview / Clifton Hill
- 603 Green Line - Niagara Parks
- 604 Orange Line - NOTL Shuttle
Former
- Purple Line - Downtown / Clifton Hill (operated by Niagara Falls Transit; merged with Green Line.)
- 601 Red Line - Lundy’s Lane (operated by Niagara Falls Transit; replaced by local routes 116/216.)
- 605 Red Line Express - Lundy’s Lane Express (operated by Niagara Falls Transit; replaced by local routes 116/216.)
Fleet Roster
Active
| Fleet number(s) | Thumbnail | Year | Manufacturer | Model | Engine | Transmission | Operator | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5201, 5205-5211 | 
|
2012 | Nova Bus | LFX 60' | Cummins ISL9 | ZF 6AP1700B | Niagara Falls Transit | |
| 5301-5303, 5305 | 
|
2012 | Nova Bus | LFX 40' | Cummins ISL9 | ZF 6AP1400B | Niagara Falls Transit | |
| 9001-9009 | 
|
2012 | Nova Bus | LFX 60' | Cummins ISL9 | Allison B500R | Niagara Parks Commission | |
| 9010-9011 | 
|
2012 | Nova Bus | LFX 40' | Cummins ISL9 | Allison B400R | Niagara Parks Commission | |
| 9012 | 2012 | Nova Bus | LFX 40' | Cummins ISL9 | ZF 6AP1400B | Niagara Parks Commission | Ex-5304; transferred from Niagara Falls Transit in 2023. | |
| 9013-9015 | 2012 | Nova Bus | LFX 60' | Cummins ISL9 | ZF 6AP1700B | Niagara Parks Commission | Ex-5202-5204; transferred from Niagara Falls Transit in 2023. |
References
- ↑ City, Niagara Parks Commission reach deal on new Visitor Transportation System City of Niagara Falls. November 2011. Retrieved on 27 March 2012
- ↑ Spiteri, Ray (26 August 2011) People-mover system gets green light. Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved on 27 March 2012
- ↑ Branding of new Niagara Falls Visitor Transportation System — WEGO — revealed (Press release). Government of Canada. 5 April 2012. Retrieved on 6 April 2012.
- ↑ Langley, Alison (16 May 2012). New tourism buses stall. Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved on 04 June 2012.