Rural transportation service for Selwyn

$1.5M in provincial funding announced to start regular township bus service in spring of 2019

Rural transportation service is coming to Selwyn Township under a five-year, $1,488,000 grant from the province’s Community Transportation Grant program, the municipality announced Thursday.

The township will work with Curve Lake First Nation, Community Care Peterborough and city social services to develop plans for regular bus service between Bridgenorth, Curve Lake, Ennismore and Lakefield, starting in spring 2019.

“We’re very excited about the funding and to get things going,” township CAO Janice Lavalley said.

Detailed route planning fares have yet to be finalized and a bus carrier will be selected through a competitive bidding process, officials stated.

The routes will, however, be planned to co-ordinate with the city’s public transit system to create inter-regional connectivity – riders of the new service will be able to access GO or Greyhound transit services, for example.

“People need to get in and out (of the city) for work, school and social appointments … it will provide for broader connection,” she said, noting how it will be great for inter-township travel, too, such as for folks who want to go shopping in another village.

The Community Transportation Grant program emphasizes partnerships, coordination, and a collaborative approach to service delivery.

The Age Friendly Plan partners began discussing the subject last fall, Lavalley said.

“It’s really a partnership between all of the parties involved,” she said, pointing out how the

service has been long-sought by citizens who frequently make their voices heard during various forms of public consultation.

Dwindling ridership on the Lakefield worker’s bus, which ferried riders between Lakefield and the city for about 50 years, led to its demise in March 2015.

A township survey found township residents have really missed the Coach Canada-operated service that provided three daily round-trips Monday to Friday.

“There was a good deal of interest expressed for a transportation service,” she said.

The pilot will be monitored and adjustments will be made accordingly to provide the best possible service as it moves forward, Lavalley added.

Selwyn Township Mayor Mary Smith hopes the serve will serve as an example of how collaboration and partnership can help solve rural issues for other small communities.

“Safe, reliable transportation provide great benefits to all members of the public, regardless of the demographic,” she stated.

“This initiative will improve access to employment and education, medical appointments and services and improve inter-regional connectivity.”

The provincial government funding program is an opportunity for municipalities to develop new transportation service, or improve existing service, to Ontario communities that are not served or are underserved by regular transit and intercommunity bus service, officials stated

It emphasizes improving mobility options for those who experience transportation barriers, including older adults, people with disabilities, youth and people living on low income.

jason.bain@peterboroughdaily.com