Hamilton’s HSR celebrates its 150th anniversary

The Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) – Hamilton’s public transit agency – is celebrating an impressive 150 years in operation. 

The HSR has been an integral part of Hamilton since 1874 – back when it operated horse-drawn streetcars! – serving as the major connection point for transportation within the city. 

Electric-powered streetcars followed, and the HSR eventually introduced buses in 1926, with the last streetcar run taking place in 1951. 

This is a far cry from what the HSR looks like today, with over 30 routes provided extensive transit connections throughout Hamilton from Stoney Creek to Dundas and everywhere in between. 

Celebrate @HSR’s 150th anniversary with us! For upcoming activities and events to commemorate this historic milestone, visit https://t.co/NSvx6V0Ay1. #HSR150 pic.twitter.com/0NSvd85eer

— City of Hamilton (@cityofhamilton) May 14, 2024

To commemorate this major milestone, the HSR is hosting Customer Appreciation Week from May 19th to 25th, including select retro-wrapped buses designed to look like HSR vehicles from back in the day. Driving various routes in the city, rides on a retro-wrapped bus are free of charge until May 25th. 

Additionally, select dates starting in May will offer HSR rides $1.50 fares – in honour of 150 years of service – with the first date being May 20th and other dates promised through to the end of 2024. 

Finally, special commemorative HSR 150 PRESTO cards – featuring a photo of the horse-and-buggy streetcar that started it all – are being made available for purchase at HSR Customer Service (36 Hunter Street East) beginning May 21st. 

See more on the city website. 

Lead image courtesy of @hsr

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• Anniversary
• bus
• city
• Hamilton
• hamilton street railway
• HamOnt
• hsr
• public transit
• transit
• Transportation