Metrolinx and Ontario Northland will be piloting a combined weekend service this August to give visitors to the Muskoka Region and North Bay a convenient, comfortable way to take transit and avoid traffic delays.
Every Friday from August 3 to September 3, the 5:35 p.m. Barrie train out of Union Station will meet with an Ontario Northland bus at Allandale Waterfront GO Station. The bus will continue on to serve Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville and North Bay. The return bus trip will operate at the end of the weekend, whether it’s the Sunday or holiday Monday, and connect with a Toronto-bound GO train at Aurora GO Station.
One ticket will provide transportation on both the GO train and the Ontario Northland bus. Tickets can be purchased at ontarionorthland.ca. Instead of tapping a PRESTO card on the GO train, customers will simply need to show their ticket when requested.
“This service is ideal for those commuting to cottage country,” said Corina Moore, President and CEO of Ontario Northland. “We are lining up our services in an effort to create a seamless, convenient connection for our passengers.”
“This partnership with Ontario Northland is an exciting opportunity for us to help our customers get to where they need to go,” Metrolinx CEO and President Phil Verster said. “Whether they’re vacationing or visiting family, we are giving the GTHA more options to travel better, faster and easier.”
By creating connections, Metrolinx and Ontario Northland are making better use of the province’s public transportation network.
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Well, it’s a start. We really need the full passenger service all the way north, south. east and west Investment in public passenger Rail transportation is a must to relieve congestion and reduce Green House Gas.
Subsidizing the auto industry with more and bigger roads has reached its peak, time to ‘Tap-Out” on this one.
Not just Muskoka but all Northern Ontario’s need efficient transportation options for growth and stability.
How will this avoid traffic? The bus will be stuck in the same traffic as drivers. The train is the real answer in my humble opinion
In agreement: baby steps forward. Expecting transit to move with Premier Ford. Is this possible? CN rail locally is virtually silent except for 1 north & south train daily…
Excellent idea. Hopefully this will expand to weekday transportation from Muskoka to Union Station. Like myself, I’m sure there are many other people who have medical appointments in Toronto that requires me to be physically present. The appointments can not be done through Tele-medicine. The drive alone one way is exhausting. Driving back is even worse. I for one would benefit from this form of transportation to Toronto. Especially if it could be offered as early morning, weekday departures.
Baby steps towards improved public transportation for northern Ontario, including passenger train connection Toronto to Cochrane.
Pilot service is geared towards the GTHA and the weekend 400 parking lot issue but some Muskoka passengers will book a week in Toronto, down Sunday back Friday. It’s a wecome start so spread the word and check out the ONTC website.