All aboard!
Orillia Transit users will soon be able to hop on an intercity Simcoe County LINX bus and travel to Barrie on weekdays between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. for just $3. The fee is $4 for non Orillia Transit users.
Orillia city council committee agreed Monday to enter into a “fare integration agreement” that will give those who pay to ride a bus in Orillia a $1 discount off their journey to Barrie. The decision must still be ratified at Thursday’s council meeting.
The Simcoe County Linx service will start Aug. 6. The county bus will pick up riders at the Orillia campus of Georgian College, OPP Headquarters and Lakehead University and drop them off at either Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie or at the Barrie campus of Georgian College.
There will be three stops along the way: Forest Home Industrial Park, the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport and Napoleon Home Comfort in Oro-Medonte Township.
“It’s a win-win for Orillia-area transit users,” said Jeff Hunter, the City of Orillia’s manager of construction and transit.
“This will encourage riders to use both transit systems to complete their entire trip with the benefit of a reduced fare,” said Hunter. “In addition to expanding the area serviced by transit, it is also anticipated to increase transit” ridership.
Coun. Pat Hehn questioned if the service goes far enough. She noted the county service will only take Orillians to the “periphery” of Barrie and said she wished it would take people downtown or to the GO train.
“I’m not sure exactly how useful this would be,” she lamented.
But Hunter explained the county service has been tailored to ensure it doesn’t duplicate existing services in both cities.
“They don’t want to replace our service,” said Hunter, who noted the two stops in Barrie “are very active stops.”
The idea is people could get off the county bus and hop on a Barrie Transit bus to get to where they want to go in the city. Similarly, in Orillia, Barrie riders could use Orillia Transit once they arrive.
Coun. Mason Ainsworth said the service has been long desired.
“I am really excited about this project moving forward with the county,” said Ainsworth, noting “people have been asking for this” for 10-plus years.
“It’s exciting and it’s saving people money because you’re not duplicating service,” said Ainsworth.
Coun. David Campbell agreed.
“I think this is absolutely great,” he said. “It’s great to see the county and city working together. For $3 to go from Orillia to Barrie … I’d probably pay more than that just in gas. It’s terrific and I look forward to it expanding.”
Users of the new system can pay in cash or purchase smart cards on the bus or at selected ticket vendors.
The first phase of the LINX system debuted last summer and featured a route between Barrie and Midland/Penetanguishene, that has proven quite popular.
The intercity system culminated from a 24-month conversation between the county and the varying municipalities that are participating in the project.
There are plans for more routes to be unveiled between Collingwood and Barrie (2019/2020), Alliston to Bradford (2020/2021) and Midland to Orillia (2020/2021).
The province has contributed $8.4 million toward the project, while the county has contributed $5 million.
LINX buses offer seating for up to 24 passengers plus room for eight standing passengers and two wheelchairs, while the LINX+ specialized transit service offers accessible door-to-door service through registration and pre-booking only.
For more information on the Simcoe County LINX transit service, click here.
-- With files from Jessica Owen
