A year-long pilot project for transit in Northumberland County is showing strong results at the halfway mark.
To celebrate the milestone, County Warden Mandy Martin and Deputy Mayor Brian Ostrander travelled via the shuttle bus from Colborne to Cobourg for Wednesday’s County Council meeting.
Launched last September, the Northumberland Commuter Connect transit service pilot connects the communities of Northumberland with each other and with GO Transit services in Oshawa.
During the first six months, 588 registered users signed up to the payment portal with 89 inter-county trips taken along with 853 trips to Oshawa.
Martin says developing the infrastructure to strengthen connections between local communities and neighbouring regional transit systems is a key priority identified in Northumberland County’s Transportation Master Plan.
She adds, “We are pleased to see ridership continuing to grow, as more and more users experience the benefits of hopping on Commuter Connect to get to work, meet with friends, and attend medical appointments.”
Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini says, “The Government of Ontario is making historic investments in public transit, looking at a variety of models that make sense for each community, and we will keep working to ensure that families in our community have the services they need to visit friends and family, travel to work, and get to medical appointments.”
In addition to allowing residents to travel between communities, county officials say there are environmental benefits to consider.
Fewer cars on the road makes for healthier communities because of improved air quality and reduced CO2 emissions.
The pilot is due to conclude in September 2023.
