Grand River Transit reducing ION service due to staffing shortage amid Omicron

Grand River Transit says it has been forced to reduce service for the ION LRT trains beginning Monday as a result of staffing shortages created by COVID-19.

“Due to staff shortages as a result of Omicron, effective Mon. Feb. 14, ION LRT service will be reduced to every 15 minutes,” the agency said on Twitter.

A spokesperson for the region told Global News that the move was made to give those that use the service a chance to prepare for the change.

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“We are reducing service levels starting on Monday to give riders enough advanced notice for them to be able to plan their trips and get to their destinations on time,” Waterloo Region spokesperson Lynsey Slupeiks said.

She said that the GRT has enough staff to maintain current levels of service but that this move is being made as a precautionary measure.

“Currently, we are able to provide service, however, there are staffing pressures. Reducing service levels to every 15 minutes will ensure we are able to maintain service levels for riders,” Slupieks explained..

GRT says the change in travel times will be added to its trip-planning tools.