Grey County transit service moving ahead

Inter-community transit is coming to Grey County in 2020.

On January 9, Grey County Council directed staff to lease buses and contract drivers for the upcoming service called the Grey Transit Route.

Grey Transit Route will offer regular service along Highway 26 between Owen Sound and Town of The Blue Mountains and along Highway 10 between Owen Sound and Orangeville.

A third route will be offered between Owen Sound and Wiarton three days per week and a specialized service will support youth attending Launch Pad programming in Hanover.

Council also asked staff to investigate a route along Grey Road 4 and bring information back to a future meeting.

“Access to affordable and reliable transportation is crucial to the economic and social wellbeing of rural communities,” said Grey County Warden Paul McQueen. “Once operational, Grey Transit Route will create new opportunities for commuters to affordably travel to work, appointments, services and social activities. It will support youth, seniors and everyone in between.”

Many in Grey County are eager to see the service begin. An online survey taken in December received more than 1,000 responses from residents around Grey and neighbouring communities. The data collected provides valuable insight into the needs of riders.

Residents are being asked to further support the project by signing an online petition available on www.grey.ca/gtr. The petition is required to license vehicles for the project.

“Public support for Grey Transit Route has been phenomenal. We’re overwhelmed with the level of participation in our survey and the many positive and informative comments we received,” said Stephanie Stewart, manager of community transportation with Grey County. “This information will help us make the right decisions as we finalize details for the routes and explore ways of adding more value to the service.”

The Grey Transit Route pilot is funded through the Provincial Community Transportation Grant Program through to March 2023.

In addition to the Grey Transit Route, Grey County is also joining Commute Ontario, a free-of-charge program designed to help commuters adopt sustainable transportation habits, like walking, cycling, carpooling and taking transit.

“Partnering with Commute Ontario comes with many benefits,” explains Stewart. “Not only will Commute Ontario be a resource encouraging County staff to commute more sustainably, it will be promoted to the broader community and businesses.” 

Commute Ontario offers several campaigns throughout the year. Once signed on, organizations have access to carpooling matching tool and a host of programs which promote active and sustainable transportation options.  

Workplaces and campuses in Grey County who are interested in learning more or participating in Commute Ontario can contact Stephanie Stewart at stephanie.stewart@grey.ca or at 519-371-3232 ext.1385. More information is also available online at CommuteOntario.ca