A Grey Transit Route bus operated by Driverseat. (supplied photo)
The Bruce County Transportation and Environmental Services Committee is supporting an expansion to the Grey Transit Route (GTR) from Hanover to Walkerton.
During a meeting on March 17, a report was brought to the committee by Director of Transportation and Environmental Services Amanda Froese.
The report recommended expanding Grey Transit Route No. 6 to these locations for 2022 and have $20,000 in operating costs be funded through the Tax Stabilization Reserve fund. These funds will cover the expense of providing the portion of the route from Hanover to Walkerton for the remainder of 2022.
Currently, there is $50,000 in the 2022 budget to be used to run GTR Route No. 5 from Wiarton to Sauble Beach, with an enhanced service including seven days per week, four runs per day from the May 24 weekend to Labour Day weekend.
If funding is not provided, however, the route will cease operation on April 1.
With this supported expansion, the Flesherton to Walkerton route will be expanded from three days a week to five in 2022, while also including an additional stop at Brucelea Haven long-term care home.
The GTR provided a public transit connection from Walkerton to Hanover in 2020 and 2021, and was completely funded by Grey County, according to the report.
The report says the pandemic has resulted in a number of destinations closing or had reduced hours that may have deterred riders from using the service.
The GTR believes, however, as the Covid restrictions are lifting, as well as the increase in fuel prices and a stable more regular route, ridership will go up in 2022.
