Northumberland County Council announced the conclusion of the Commuter Connect shuttle bus pilot service, effective August 2, 2024. Initiated in September 2022, the service connected Northumberland residents to the Oshawa GO Station. Despite efforts to sustain the service, including an extended evaluation of the Durham Line, low ridership and high subsidy costs rendered the service unsustainable.
“The decision to discontinue the Commuter Connect service was not made lightly,” said Warden Brian Ostrander. “While disappointing for loyal riders, the pilot helped us understand the demand for regional transit.”
The 18-month pilot, in partnership with Metrolinx and Hop In Technologies, aimed to assess the feasibility of a full-time transit network. However, a review in June 2024 confirmed continued low ridership and high operational costs. Previously, the Northumberland Line, connecting Campbellford, Brighton, Colborne, and Cobourg, was also discontinued in December 2023 for similar reasons.
Director of Strategic Initiatives Dan Borowec expressed gratitude for the support from riders and emphasized the county’s commitment to exploring future transportation options.
“The logistical support provided by Hop In technologies enabled us to deliver a schedule with multiple stops each day to meet the transportation needs of commuters,” said Borowec. “We are grateful for the exceptional customer service and rider experience delivered by Community Care Northumberland and Eastern Charters. Their on-time, friendly, and reliable service delivery helped get our riders safely to where they needed to go every day.”
Unused rider credits can be refunded at Home – Commuter Connect or by contacting user support.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
