Regional bus service between Saint John and St. Stephen set to resume

Bus service between Saint John and St. Stephen is returning for the first time since being eliminated in 2012.

A two year pilot project will see the province contribute $500,000 to help establish twice daily round trip service between Saint John and St. Stephen with stops in between.

The premier admits it’s a new approach for his government.

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“We understand that public transportation in our regions is a little more difficult,” said Brian Gallant.

“Investing this $500,000 over the next two years will allow the people in this room and the partnerships that have been forged to have the time that they need to get through some hiccups and make this work.”

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Ridership is key to keeping the service, dubbed Rural Lynx, over the long term.

“Two years from now we need a lot of people on that bus every day to make this financially viable,” said Stan Choptiany of the Southwest New Brunswick Transit Authority.

Mike Cassidy of Maritime Bus, which will operate the service, says the price point, before discounts, is in the $25 to $30 dollar range for a one way trip from Saint John to St. Stephen.

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After two years, they’re looking to average 75 passenger fares per day. Something he says, isn’t as high as it might seem.

“In this particular region we are seeing that there could be a number of what we call ‘inside the route’ where people may be spending ten or fifteen dollars to go within communities between St. Stephen and Saint John,” Cassidy explained.

The new service is expected to start in the fall.