A new intercity bus service will soon link London and Sarnia.
Ontario Labour Minister and Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton announced on Thursday the five-day-a-week commuter connection could be up and running by spring 2020.
The new bus service will make multiple round trips between the two cities, making stops in Strathroy-Caradoc and Mt. Brydges.
“This is major news for our region,” said McNaughton. “A commuter bus service will connect people with good jobs, making it easier and more convenient for residents of Strathroy-Caradoc to get where they need to go.”
The new bus service will be fully funded for the first two years through a $1.45 million Ontario Community Transportation grant from the province. It will connect with existing municipal transit infrastructure in the municipalities, as well as medical services, employment, education, and recreation, noted McNaughton.
The shuttles will seat 10 to 24 and be fully accessible for people with disabilities.
The cost to ride has yet to be determined, but the hope is to keep fares as low as possible.
Funding for the Strathroy-Caradoc led project was first announced in May 2018 by the then Liberal government. The Ford government confirmed it would move forward with the project in January of this year.
The Ontario Community Transportation grant program has provided nearly $3 million in funding for 22 municipalities since 2015.
