To grasp the pulse of a city, it is essential to understand its transportation system; otherwise, it is truly difficult to get around. New immigrants arriving in Canada should ideally visit a subway station to pick up a free public transportation map to familiarize themselves with the city's transit network and overall layout (Toronto subways provide free maps). Canada has a highly developed transportation system with a wide variety of options, especially private automobiles. You can find a "Driver's Handbook" at local driver education centers, which will help you become familiar with Canadian traffic signals, rules, and regulations. For more information on transportation, Worldway Immigration provides this introduction for you.
When walking on the streets of Canada, you must not act impulsively; you must pay attention to traffic signals and cross the street only at intersections or designated crosswalks. Many cities have pedestrian signals under the traffic lights; you are only permitted to cross when the pedestrian signal is lit. Some intersections have buttons on the light poles for pedestrians; pressing them will change the signal and grant you priority. In Ontario, some intersections emit different bird-chirping sounds when the light changes to alert people to the signal change. When both cars and pedestrians are allowed to move, or when there are no clear signals, pedestrians have the right of way. Some small intersections do not have traffic lights but have "stop" signs. When crossing at such intersections, pedestrians do not need to yield to motor vehicles and may proceed first. This is because, according to Canadian traffic rules, motor vehicles must come to a complete stop whenever they reach an intersection with a "stop" sign.
When there are clear signs indicating that motor vehicles have the right of way, pedestrians must be cautious. Because everyone follows the rules and motor vehicles drive according to their right of way, it is very easy to cause an accident if you do not follow the rules.
Bicycles
Those accustomed to riding bicycles in their home country will find that most parts of Canada have significant snowfall in winter, which is not suitable for cycling. Municipal workers spread salt on city roads, streets, and highways before and after snowfall to melt the snow quickly, and such road surfaces are also unsuitable for cycling. The season for cycling is from April to November. Since most Canadians use bicycles primarily for exercise, general bikes do not have rear racks, and even if they do, they should not be used to carry heavy loads or passengers.
You must be very cautious when cycling in the city and must not ride on sidewalks. In Canada, many roads and streets do not have dedicated bicycle lanes, and bicycles may occupy the right-hand motor vehicle lane. According to traffic laws, motor vehicles should treat bicycles as they would another car. If there is a bicycle in front, the car should change lanes to overtake. If the road is wide, bicycles can ride on the right side without occupying the motor vehicle lane. In this case, motor vehicles do not need to change lanes to avoid the bicycle. If the road edge is narrow, occupying a motor vehicle lane is actually safer. If there is a bicycle lane, be sure not to ride outside the line. Because of high speeds and significant danger, you must be extra careful when cycling. At busy intersections, you should dismount and walk your bike across the street.
Furthermore, do not run red lights, even if there is no traffic. You should wear a safety helmet when cycling in Canada, and it is best to have fluorescent or reflective markings on your bike or clothing when riding at night so that other drivers can see you. Generally, there are racks provided in public places for locking bicycles. In places without racks, you can find a suitable spot to park your bike as long as it does not obstruct traffic. However, you must lock your bike securely, preferably to a fence or similar object, because bicycles in Canada have no registration, and they are not easy to recover if lost.
Public Transportation
Public transportation in Canada includes buses, streetcars, and subways; Vancouver also has the SkyTrain and ferries. Conditions vary by location, so this is only a general introduction.
Bus fares in Canada are generally around 1 to 2 Canadian dollars, with different rates for adults, children, and seniors. Ticketing systems also vary by city. Vancouver charges based on distance, while Toronto uses a flat-fare system regardless of distance. One ticket can be used for both buses and subways. Since these are self-service vehicles, you must prepare exact change in advance, as the driver will not provide change. After boarding, drop the money into a transparent fare box. The driver can see through the box to verify if the amount is sufficient. Then, ask the driver for a "transfer," which serves as your proof of payment. With this transfer, you can switch to another bus or subway until you reach your destination without paying again. However, you cannot transfer in the opposite direction. If you need to transfer from a subway to ground transportation, do not forget to pick up a transfer at the subway entrance; otherwise, you will need to pay again. If you stay too long during a transfer, such as for shopping, the transfer may expire. You can buy multiple tickets at once at subway stations and some stores to save money. Toronto also has "tokens," which are special coins about the size of a 10-cent coin that can be purchased at subway stations or directly from machines. When boarding, drop a ticket or token into the fare box instead of cash. If you travel frequently, a monthly pass is more cost-effective. Students with a student ID and seniors over 65 with a senior ID can enjoy discounted monthly passes; child tickets are for children only.
Transportation methods are generally divided into:
1. Air Travel
Canada's airports are mainly concentrated in the southeast and southwest, varying in size. If you are traveling for business, flying is the fastest and most convenient mode of transportation.
2. Rail
If you are traveling on your own, rail might be a better choice—it is safe and convenient, and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. VIA Rail operates passenger services across Canada, and many cities have VIA offices where you can inquire about any questions by phone.
3. Urban Public Transportation
Most cities have well-developed transportation systems. In large cities like Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, there are various systems such as buses, streetcars, subways, and trains. In smaller cities, buses and taxis are more common. Buses and streetcars run on fixed routes throughout the city, with stops every few blocks along the route, usually near intersections. There are signs indicating which bus lines stop there, and the driver will stop if they see someone waiting. You can show a monthly pass or buy a ticket on the spot, but you must have exact change as the driver does not provide change. There are various ways to buy bus tickets in Canada: standard tickets applicable to all public transport in the city; buying a ticket for each ride; or purchasing a monthly pass with unlimited rides. There is also a "FareSaver" option, where you buy a booklet of tickets (e.g., two, eight, or ten tickets), and another option is the "DayPass," which generally has a specific usage period. For example, in Vancouver, these day passes can be used after 9:30 AM from Monday to Friday.
Subways and other rapid transit systems cover a wider range, connecting the city center with the suburbs. Subways stop at every station along the line, and passengers can buy tickets or tokens at the station.
Monthly passes for buses and subways can be purchased at convenience stores, bus stations, and other locations. Additionally, in most areas, seniors aged 65 or older, as well as middle and elementary school students, can receive discounts. For more details, you can call the public transportation inquiry office in each city or check the public transportation section of the Yellow Pages.
4. Taxis
Taxis (also called cabs or taxicabs) are common on Canadian streets and can be hailed. Taxi stands are usually located outside shopping malls, large office buildings, hotels, airports, train stations, and bus stations. A list of taxi companies is provided in the Yellow Pages under "Taxi cabs." You can call a taxi company from the Yellow Pages or book in advance, and the taxi will wait at the agreed time and location. In addition to the fare shown on the meter, it is customary to tip (about 10% to 15%). Taxis charge based on time and distance (generally expensive). If there are more than four passengers or if the driver has to wait, there is an additional fee, usually around 10%. The tip is generally 10-15%. Generally speaking, except for special occasions, taxis are rarely used, especially since family cars are very common.
Car rentals are also very common and convenient. You can rent a car from a rental agency for daily or monthly rates. This is suitable for short-term travel or long-distance trips. You only need your ID to rent a car; no deposit is required. Prices start at over 30 dollars per day, and longer durations may be discounted. Some rental agencies have limits on daily mileage, while others do not. These rental cars are generally new vehicles less than one year old. When renting and returning the car, be careful to check for any damage. The car is provided with a full tank of gas, and you must return it with a full tank as well.