Blair Allen received the William G. Ross Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 CUTA Awards Ceremony.

Blair Allen has dedicated his career to enhancing public transit in Waterloo Region and beyond.

His significant contributions include developing annual transit service investment strategies and performance monitoring for Kitchener Transit. This work supported the formation of Grand River

Transit (GRT) in 2000 and ongoing investments in light rail and regional transit.

Since 2000, Blair has coordinated GRT’s five-year service and business plans, leading to increased service hours, ridership growth, a full transition to accessible low-floor buses, and the introduction of low-emission hybrid and electric fleets. He played a crucial role in negotiating and implementing Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass) programs for major post-secondary institutions in the Waterloo Region, boosting ridership and providing students with affordable transit options.

Blair has collaborated with various stakeholders to enhance GRT’s 2,500- plus stops by adding accessible pads, shelters, and passenger information displays. He established GRT’s integrated mobility team, promoting bike racks on buses and investing in transit-supportive active transportation initiatives. His implementation of transit technologies has improved efficiency and customer experience, including vehicle tracking, real-time information, and electronic fare payment.

In coordinating the transition to accessible low-floor buses, expanding the hybrid fleet, and launching an electric bus pilot program, Blair has

further strengthened GRT’s commitment to sustainability. His leadership in partnerships with local post-secondary institutions and organizations like CUTA and OPTA has fostered research, training, and pilot programs while providing co-op placements and career development opportunities.

Under Blair’s leadership, GRT’s service hours increased by 20% since 2016, with ridership reaching an all-time high of 26.4 million in 2023. Innovative fare programs like U-Pass and the Affordable Transit Program (ATP) have made transit more accessible, especially for students and low-income residents.

Blair’s initiatives have positioned GRT as a leader in integrated mobility, with significant investments in active transportation and electrification programs that have reduced emissions and improved community connections. His mentorship has helped over 100 co-op students and professionals grow in the Canadian transit industry. In summary, Blair Allen’s impact on public transit in Waterloo Region is profound, making it a more accessible and environmentally friendly option for all residents.