Art Gallery of Ontario

Charter Bus Management Plan

If arriving in a charter motorcoach 

Whether you represent a tour group, a school group or a large company of friends interested in art, the AGO offers special assistance and opportunities for groups arriving to the Gallery in a charter motorcoach.  

All groups

1. All groups will be provided with gallery procedures and bus instructions upon receipt of their booking confirmation.
2. Bus Instructions will provide detailed information on the parking in Toronto, the City’s Idling Control Bylaw, gallery motorcoach procedures and a designated drop off and pick up time.
3. The Gallery has 4 designated motorcoach loading and unloading areas located at the west side of the building on Dundas St. (corner of Beverley and Dundas). The Art Gallery will schedule no more than 4 buses during a 10 minute time period.
4. All groups will be met at the AGO by Gallery staff. Gallery Staff will advise all bus operators or provide a hand-out on the City’s Idling Control Bylaw. They will try to maintain a loading or unloading period of 10 minutes.
5. The bus operator will be given a welcome kit providing Gallery pick up time for groups and suggested parking locations in Toronto.
6. All groups will be met by Gallery staff at the loading area during their designated departure time.

School Groups

Arrival at the Gallery

1. Each bus will be met by AGO personnel during peak bus arrival and departure times.
2. AGO personnel will provide the bus driver with a welcome kit providing a pick up time and parking instructions.
3. AGO personnel will direct students to the entrance. The objective is to get the students off the bus and down to the processing area as efficiently and quickly as possible, so the bus can be moved out.
4. AGO personnel will marshal the buses and ensure a maximum 10 minute unloading time, they will also advise or provide a hand-out on the city’s Idling Control Bylaw.
5. Once in the processing area the students will be met by their Education officer that will be providing them with their guided tour. The Education officer will ensure that their belongings are secured and the procedures of the gallery are reviewed.

Departure from the Gallery

1. The students will be led back to the handling area by their Education officer.
2. The Education officer will ensure they gather all their belongings and personal articles.
3. AGO personnel will direct the school group back out of the gallery.
4. AGO personnel will ensure the school group is loaded back on the bus quickly and efficiently within the designated 10 minute period. The bus driver will be reminded of the City’s Idling Control Bylaw.

Group Tours: Social Groups

Arrival at the Gallery

1. The motorcoaches will be met by AGO personnel.
2. AGO personnel will board the motorcoach and advise the driver or provide a hand-out on the City’s Idling Control Bylaw. The driver will also be provided with parking instructions and an appointed pick up time.
3. AGO personnel will provide the passengers with gallery protocol and instruction regarding entrance to the gallery. This process will not take more than 2 minutes.
4. While this is occurring the tour guide may enter the Gallery and finish processing the group if needed.
5. AGO personnel will direct the patrons to the entrance and provide them with their tickets for entrance to the Gallery.

Departure from the Gallery

1. The group will be responsible for being at the motorcoach drop off area at their appointed time.
2. AGO personnel will be at this area for 10 minutes to ensure the passengers get on the motorcoach and depart. The bus driver will be reminded of the City’s Idling Control Bylaw.

Contact Group Sales

Group Sales
317 Dundas Street West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 1G4

Local: 416-979-6626
Toll Free North America: 1-877-225-4246
Fax: 416-204-2717
Email: groupsales@ago.net

Group Sales Office Hours