Alliston Herald

Today's Weather

Overcast and 6°C

>>more weather info

Alliston Greyhound services ending in April

BY Maija Hoggett, Staff January 13, 2010 16:01

ALLISTON - Low ridership has led to Greyhound Canada canceling its Alliston bus service this spring.

Cuts to Greyhound services in 60 communities across Ontario were announced Friday and take effect April 11.

Currently, Greyhound operates one trip to Barrie on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from Alliston, as well as others to Toronto on the same days.

Busses will also no longer stop in Bolton, Palgrave, Highway 9 and 50, Beeton, Alliston, Nottawasaga Inn, Cookstown, CFB Borden and Angus due to the cut to the Alliston line.

"The average number of passengers per trip on those routes targeted for closure is less than seven," said senior vice president Stuart Kendrick. "Greyhound Canada takes this decision with great reluctance but with such low ridership, the financial case for maintaining service simply does not exist."

In Alliston, the drop off depot for Greyhound is at Pins & Qs, the bowling alley on Victoria St. E.

Pins and Qs owner Julia Fox said the service cancellation is definitely going to affect her business. Aside from bowling, Fox said they offer coffee, lunches and sell lottery tickets. By having the Greyhound bus dropping people and packages off at the business, Fox said it was exposure for the extra services they provide.

Bus ridership is low at the Alliston depot, but Fox said the biggest problem people face is the infrequent service.

Fox said the Greyhound bus used to service Alliston six days a week, then was dropped to five before its current three-days a week, except for holidays.

"Monday, Wednesday and Friday isn't really practical, for most people so if you go to the city and leave Monday you can't come back until Wednesday," said Fox.

According to Greyhound Canada, in most cases where the closures are happening, there is access to Greyhound Canada's passenger bus service within a 40-kilometre radius.

The changes are to "allow the company to break even on its Ontario operations based on current estimates."

"The long-term future of Greyhound Canada's cross-country operations including Ontario will rely upon the outcome of the federal-provincial-territorial Working Group that is due to recommend regulatory and policy changes in September 2010," said Kendrick.

More Regional News Articles

Planned power outage in Springwater
SPRINGWATER - Hydro One will be performing maintenance an upgrades to equipment in Springwater.

High water warning
BARRIE - The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority has issued a high water safety bulletin for this weekend.

Shannon back behind Hornets' bench
ALLISTON - On the heels of what can only be described as a devastating and unusual 5-0 loss to the Penetang Kings Wednesday night in game three of the...

Mayor's assault case pushed to April
BRADFORD — Jackson's next court date may reveal more about criminal charges

MSS curlers set to make history
MIDLAND – School sending two rinks to Ontario championships.

Diabetes program opens in new location
MIDLAND – Assessment, education and support offered by family health team professionals.

Drug bust
BARRIE - Police seized an estimated $47,800 in marijuana following a drug bust Tuesday.

Howard still flirting with perfection at Brier
HALIFAX – Coldwater and District Curling Club rink 11-0 heading into Page playoff game Friday evening against Northern Ontario.

Couple fearful nut allergy threatens daughter
MIDLAND – Midland Secondary School must do more to protect students, say parents.

McGuinty helped developers profit, NDP claims
QUEEN'S PARK — Innisfil landowners met premier in May 2008 at $5,000 per plate fundraiser

SIMCOE.COM is an online publication serving the communities of Barrie, Alliston, Collingwood/Wasaga Beach, Wasaga, Stayner and Orillia in central Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved. Reproduction, modification, distribution, transmission or republication of any material from simcoe.com is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from Metroland Media Group Ltd.