Penetanguishene-to-Barrie bus route officially launches

Simcoe.com
August 9, 2018
Andrew Mendler

Midland and Penetanguishene residents now have another way of getting to Barrie.

Simcoe County’s new Linx transit service officially launched its first route on Aug. 7. The service line will run between Midland/Penetanguishene and Barrie, with stops in Wyebridge, Waverley, Elmvale and Midhurst.

Buses will run Monday to Friday, with southbound trips running every hour from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and northbound trips running every hour from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

“This is a huge milestone for our County, and we’re pleased to offer another crucial service to our residents and communities,” said Warden Gerry Marshall. “Our region has a large geographical footprint, and we have a growing population of seniors, students and residents who need affordable and reliable transportation options to access health services, jobs and education hubs in other communities.”

Penetanguishene residents will be picked up and dropped off at the north side of Poyntz Street, across from Tim Hortons.

Midland’s bus stop will be in the parking lot directly outside the Huronia Mall's north entrance.

In Wyebridge, the Linx will stop at the corner of Mill Street and Highway 93, just down from Mad Michael’s.

In Waverley, the northbound stop is on the median divider between Highway 93 and the gas bar, while the southbound stop is located directly beside the Waverley Soldiers’ Memorial.

The Elmvale pickup and drop-off point is on Yonge Street, just south of Queen Street and the convenience store.

Midhurst has multiple stops, including one near the Highway 27 intersection on Finlay Mill Road, directly across from the convenience store and animal shelter, and a set of stops on the south side Vincent Street and Cedar Creek Road.

There are three stops in Barrie. One is on Cundles Road just east of Sperling Drive, another is at the Georgian College Administrative Centre building, and the third is at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, adjacent to the City of Barrie bus stop.

“Our data shows that kids want to get to school and people want to get to the hospital right away, so it is a fairly direct route but it also does provide people with the ability to connect in a number of communities on the way,” said David Parks, the county's director of planning, tourism and development.

The service will operate four nine-metre-long, 25-passenger buses, which can accommodate two wheelchairs. Along with two specialized buses, which can accommodate three wheelchairs and four other passengers.

Between Aug. 7 and Sept. 4, the county is offering complimentary fares.

After Labour Day, fares will vary from $2, $4 and $6 based on where you are going and how long you are riding for. A journey from Penetanguishene/Midland to Barrie would costs the full $6.

The LINX transit Service is part of a five-year, $5 million plan to develop a regional transit system in the County of Simcoe.

The services will expand with routes between Orillia and Barrie (2019), Collingwood and Barrie, Alliston to Bradford West Gwillimbury and Midland to Orillia.

For a complete bus schedule visit www.simcoe.ca/transit.