Port Hope is all aboard with a revamped transit system.
Earlier this week, council approved a new bus system which includes new routes and schedule changes. The system rolls out on Oct. 2, aiming to improve service and efficiency for riders.
“Transit concerns have been a hot topic for some time and this council has been committed to building a more effective service for our community,” said Councillor Terry Hickey, chairman of the Works and Engineering committee.
“The recommended changes to the routes and schedule are a positive step forward and I look forward to hearing the feedback from our transit riders.”
This past spring, the municipality held extensive public consultations to gauge ridership needs and suggestions for improvements or changes. The input was combined with ridership data and transit operator feedback to help update the service.
Among the most notable additions is a 30-minute transit service within the urban area of the municipality and a new express shuttle between Port Hope and the Town of Cobourg.
“Our new routes enable one bus to circulate through town more efficiently,” said Warren Nicholishen, Port Hope’s Transportation Operations Manager.
“The bus will use Town Hall as its hub, and each route will take only a half-hour to run.”
Last month, council decided that new routes and schedule changes be implemented on a trial-basis and not include a fare increase. Following a three-month test of the new system, municipal staff will submit a status report to council and re-visit the fare increase proposal.
The new bus route and schedule are available at porthope.ca/transit and at various municipal buildings.