Artist behind GRT logo proud of long-lived legacy
John Martz has left his mark on Grand River Transit.
The former Kitchener resident was just a student when he came up with the winning design for GRT’s logo back in 1999. The Region of Waterloo’s new transit service was created at the start of 2000, merging Kitchener Transit and Cambridge Transit.
At the time, Martz was a 21-year-old graphic design student at Conestoga College. His blue design uses a wave between the G and R to symbolize water while the bold letters tilt forward to illustrate motion.
Martz’s work was picked out of 30 entries put together by his class.
“It’s a bit daunting to realize that something I’ve done is going to be on all buses and will be around for quite a while,” said Martz, speaking to the Waterloo Region Record in December 1999.
“I certainly didn’t want it to be a novelty or a flash in the pan – exciting now but in a week people will get sick of it.”
After college, Martz stayed in the design field, with positions at CityTV and MuchMusic. He now works at Tundra Books, part of Penguin Random House Canada, where he designs and art directs children’s books.
He’s always happy to see his handiwork on GRT vehicles.
“A bus will drive by and there it is, this little blast from the past,” said Martz.
“It’s not often I’ll look at something I did from long ago and think it still looks pretty good, but for whatever reason I think I lucked out and did something that still holds up.”
Martz’s parents remain proud of their son’s contribution to the community.
“At the time, and maybe still now, my mom would always refer to them as Johnny Buses,” said Martz.
Overall, Martz is happy to see his logo last.
“I’m looking forward to seeing it there into the future, and whatever else comes next.”
Grand River Transit celebrates 25 years
January 2025 marked a quarter century that GRT has served the Waterloo Region community. Before 2000, local transit riders couldn’t travel between Cambridge and Kitchener or Waterloo. GRT has grown a lot over the past quarter century.
- In 2000, GRT provided 345,000 hours of service; in 2024, that number was almost 840,000
- Ridership has increased from 10 million to more than 26 million riders
- GRT now has a fleet of 340 vehicles, 2,400 stops, and 50 routes that cover more than 16 million kilometres every year
Grand River Transit has helped our community grow. Strong public transportation gives people more affordable, eco-friendly ways to get around. It means better travel options for people to get to work or see their loved ones.
Region-wide transit also made ION light rail possible. In 2019, the electric trains started running. This long-term transit vision have paid off with booming development and vibrancy around the LRT tracks.