Shelburne introducing weekend transit pilot project

May 6, 2021 · 0 Comments

Written By Paula Brown

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Shelburne is launching a transit pilot project, which will see service expanded to include weekend runs of buses.

The launch date of the transit project is tentatively scheduled to begin on June 19.

The weekend transit pilot project was originally planned to begin in early to mid-May, but has been delayed a number of times due to COVID-19 provincial orders. Town staff in the report to council noted that launching the weekend transit service during lockdown is “not strategic or effective”. The current provincial stay-at-home order was extended on April 16, and is in effect until May 20.

Shelburne Town Council approved realigning $25,000 included in the 2021 budget for two transit shelters, to fund the weekend transit pilot project. The project will be funded for approximately five months of weekend service.

Council also approved the realignment of $8,000 in the budget for season winter maintenance of the two transit shelter to support local promotions and advertising of the Grey County Transit service.

With the five-month weekend pilot project to the transit service, the Town will see an increase in the number of bus stop locations, going from two to four stops. The new bus stops will be located at the intersection of Colonel Phillips Drive and Armstrong Road as well as on School Road and Simon Street.

“That would be as close as we’re able to get to the No Frills plaza and hopefully that will support more inter-municipal use before it moves on to Orangeville,” said Town CAO Denyse Morrissey.

While the project was originally scheduled to begin in May and is now estimated to start on June 19, the launch of the weekend service could be rescheduled according to COVID-19 restrictions and orders by the province.

The transit report to Council notes that the service provider would need reasonable notice to change their scheduling and the timing of their staff on the route.

Fares for the Hwy. 10 route (Owen Sound to Orangeville), Hwy. 26 route (Owen Sound to the Town of Blue Mountains), and Grey Road 4 (Flesherton to Walkerton) include $5 (adults), $4.50 (seniors and students), and free (children 5 and under). A route along Hwy. 6 (Owen Sound to Wiarton) fares include $3 (adults), $2.50 (seniors and students), and free (children 5 and under).

The Grey Transit Route (GTR) was first launched in Shelburne in September 2020 after Grey County received a grant of $1.85 million under the Ontario Community Transportation Program.