As Metrolinx continues to celebrate Pride Month, a specially-wrapped double-decker GO Bus hits the road – and everyone is welcome to take a ride.

Metrolinx prides itself on being an industry leader in diversity and inclusion efforts, and its commitment to the safety and security of its LGBTQ+ staff and customers remains a top priority.

Given the poignancy of these continued efforts, it’s the perfect time for the organization to debut a new Pride-themed GO Bus.  

As a proud partner of Pride Toronto over the years, Metrolinx staff and particularly its Employee Resource Group (ERG) – named Pride 365 – always look forward to participating in the annual Toronto Pride Parade and other Greater Golden Horseshoe Pride events, with a newly-wrapped Pride GO Bus in tow.

Due to the pandemic this year, all celebrations have gone virtual once again, and as such Metrolinx’s parade contingent will have to wait another year to celebrate Pride in person with its communities.

That has not stalled Metrolinx’s desire to celebrate its LGBTQ+, allied staff, and customers this Pride Month, however.

The transit agency continues to advocate for the safety and security of its LGBTQ+ customers – in its stations and on all transit vehicles. In fact, in response to the pandemic Metrolinx started a new campaign known as – ‘Pride Rolls On’ – ensuring this organizational commitment lives (or rolls) on and on, all-year round.

Enter a freshly wrapped ‘Pride Rolls On’ double-decker GO Bus.

Designed by Metrolinx’s internal Creative Services team, in partnership with its Pride 365 ERG, the bus features artwork inspired by the Progress Flag – a traditional six-colour rainbow joined by white, pink and light blue chevrons to represent the transgender community, and black and brown chevrons to represent marginalized LGBTQ+ communities of colour along with those lost to HIV/AIDS or those are currently living with it.

The chevrons represent forward movement, which Metrolinx views as its organizational commitment within the realm of diversity and inclusion. The flowing purple through red ribbons intertwining with the GO logo work to signify that this is an ongoing journey for the organization across the network, 365 days a year.

The Pride Rolls On bus will make its first official event appearance at the DriveN’Drag Teaparty in Wonderland event happening July 2nd and 3rd at Guildwood GO Station.

The bus will remain wrapped throughout Pride month and beyond, so keep an eye out for it this year in a neighbourhood near you.

You can also tune in on Sunday, June 28th at 2:00 p.m. for the Virtual Toronto Pride Parade, hosted by Canada’s Drag Race winner Priyanka. You may even spot a contingent of Metrolinx employees celebrating virtually from their homes.

As customers continue to come back to transit, there will be lots of opportunity to attend events like all the Pride festivals within the region in the years to come, but for now take a look at this new Interactive Map which highlights ten of the largest regional Pride festivals.

For more information on Metrolinx’s involvement with Pride, check out the dedicated GO Transit Pride website.