Intercity Bus Services

[Garuda]

New bus service from Hamilton to Haldimand County.

Stops include Hagersville, Cayuga and Dunnville.

New bus service connects Haldimand and Hamilton

The Southern Ontario Transit route runs from Dunnville to downtown Hamilton, with stops in Cayuga, Hagersville and Caledonia.

www.thespec.com

Good start. Although service to Port Dover in the summer should be added on.

 

[APTA-2048]

After getting shut down, Book A Ride is back in operation. Still advertising journeys to Montreal.

 

[Garuda]

End of reading week traffic at Union Station bus terminal. Busiest I’ve ever seen at this terminal. Busy but in control.

 

[ShonTron]

I rode Southern Ontario Transit last week. It's a great service, though Haldimand County has been antagonistic towards transit in general, and this startup in particular. I also updated the online map.

From Hamilton to Haldimand: a new transit link fills a major gap

Southern Ontario Transit provides a critical link between Hamilton and Haldimand County, but without community support, it might not last. Also, some updates to my Ontario Intercity Transport Map.

seanmarshall.ca

 

[ShonTron]

Here’s an updated map for all of Canada.

Canada Intercity Transport Map, updated for Fall 2024

New changes for October 2024 included improved service on Vancouver Island, new routes in Alberta, BC, and Quebec, and even more competition between Edmonton and Calgary.

seanmarshall.ca

 

[Northern Light]

I was reviewing the 2025 budget submission for Simcoe County, with an eye to what it means for Linx Transit there.

The plan shows one new route being launched in 2025:

A capital budget item reveals a plan for a new Route 8 in 2026:

Source for the above: https://simcoe.civicweb.net/documen...).pdf?handle=D567377329534592AFA0C199A76423A4

****

Curiously, to me, no mention of expanded weekend services at all.

 

[ShonTron]

I was reviewing the 2025 budget submission for Simcoe County, with an eye to what it means for Linx Transit there.

The plan shows one new route being launched in 2025:

View attachment 609565

A capital budget item reveals a plan for a new Route 8 in 2026:

View attachment 609566

Source for the above: https://simcoe.civicweb.net/documen...).pdf?handle=D567377329534592AFA0C199A76423A4

****

Curiously, to me, no mention of expanded weekend services at all.

Yeah, the Barrie-Wasaga Beach route should be a top priority for weekend service, followed by Barrie-Orillia.

I wonder if Route 7 would see GO withdraw its local service between Bradford and Barrie.

 

[Bordercollie]

Yeah, the Barrie-Wasaga Beach route should be a top priority for weekend service, followed by Barrie-Orillia.

I wonder if Route 7 would see GO withdraw its local service between Bradford and Barrie.

There is still no bus service to Collingwood on weekends.

Could they not acquire used buses to fill the gap and get the route started?

 

[ShonTron]

There is still no bus service to Collingwood on weekends.

Could they not acquire used buses to fill the gap and get the route started?

The Wasaga Beach-Collingwood route is the only Linx service that operates weekends; it’s a holdover from when CollTrans operated it.

 

[Northern Light]

There is still no bus service to Collingwood on weekends.

Could they not acquire used buses to fill the gap and get the route started?

Have you emailed them and asked why? Have you suggested that you would use such a service and know others who would as well?

Just wondering.

 

[Bordercollie]

The Wasaga Beach-Collingwood route is the only Linx service that operates weekends; it’s a holdover from when CollTrans operated it.

But if doesn't connect Barrie on weekends.

 

[Northern Light]

But if doesn't connect Barrie on weekends.

He knows this; and he did not suggest otherwise.

 

[lenaitch]

Well, there is the small matter of the taxpayers in the County who have to pay for Linx.

 

[Fritter]

Toronto needs new subway cars, or Ottawa wants to build a new light rail line, the Province and the Feds usually make a generous contribution. Does either level of Government provide any funds if Simcoe County, City of Cornwall or City of Thunder Bay wants some new busses to provide additional service?

 

[DirectionNorth]

Toronto needs new subway cars, or Ottawa wants to build a new light rail line, the Province and the Feds usually make a generous contribution. Does either level of Government provide any funds if Simcoe County, City of Cornwall or City of Thunder Bay wants some new busses to provide additional service?

Just because we don't hear about it, doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Big cheques make the news, but many levels of government regularly dole out smaller sums which don't make headlines. You do have to go digging for this stuff.

HICC: blah blah invest in public transit in Cornwall, Kingston, Ptbo, and Trent Hills (average $20 million each)
HICC: Transit upgrades blah blah Thunder Bay ($20 million)

Not to mention the gas tax (which is inadequate IMO, but that's opex and not capex). As for the big city examples you cite, both cities are also complaining that the upper levels of government aren't funding these generously enough.

(edited for clarity. The original was a little bit snippy, and I apologise for that.)