Here's how HSR and GO Transit's reduced schedules will impact Hamilton riders

Eighteen Hamilton bus routes will be operating on a reduced schedule from Jan. 23 until the end of April, the city announced on Friday.

The change to a summer-equivalent service levelis part of an effort by the city's transit provider, HSR, to maintain a consistent level of service as COVID-19 casenumbers surge in the community and sideline more members of its workforce.

"As we are experiencing rising cases of COVID-19, adjusting service enables us to provide more predictable and reliable service," saidMaureen Cosyn Heath, the HSR's director of transit, in a media release.

"We know our customers rely on our service and we are doing everything in our power to mitigate the impact resulting from the ongoing health crisis."

The following routes will see cuts:

• Routes 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 33, 34, 35, 41, 43, 55, and 58 will operate on areducedschedule.
• Reduced weekday service will also continue on Route 51.

The city said extra trips around school hours may be available, depending on wether or not students return to in-person classes.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger added said it's"imperative" that Hamiltonians have access to public transit, while balancing the need for those who are sick to take time off.

The city is encouraging transit users to download the HSRnow app to receive the most up-to-date information on routes and any future changes.

Changes to Lakeshore West, Niagara GO service

Metrolinxhas also released its temporarily reducedschedule, which may affect riders travelling to and fromHamilton starting on Monday.

The transit provider is struggling with staff shortages as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 causes a surge in cases, according to a spokesperson.

"Frontline teams for the transit agency are now averaging 20 to 30 per cent fewer staff each day," wroteAnne Marie Aikins in a post announcing the changes.

"This means there are fewer employees available to operate trains, to drive buses, to maintain and clean the vehicles, or to ensure adequate customer protection services are available when needed."

Here's a look at the schedule adjustments staring Jan. 10:

• Lakeshore West: Express trips during the weekday rush hours will switch to serve all stops along the line. Trains will run every 15-30 minutes during midday between Aldershot GO station and Union Station. Some off-peak service will be reduced, though Metrolinx says trains will run every 30-60 minutes in the evening. The changes mean some trains will depart 42 minutes earlier or 25 minutes later.
• Weekend service to Niagara Falls and St. Catharines: It will be replaced by GO bus Route 12, which links up with trains at Burlington GO. An additional eastbound GO bus will replace the last train of the night, making stops at Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Burlington, Oakville, Port Credit and Union Station.

Niagara train service has also been cancelled this weekend, though the regular route 12 GO bus will be running.

Regular half-hour GO train service will beoffered between Aldershotand hourly GO trains from West Harbour and Union Station will also be taking place.

Full schedules and alerts about changes can be found here.