An intercity bus line is trying to take off in Bruce and Huron County, but it's facing early speedbumps.
OnexBus launched a Port-Elgin to London line in mid-October which has been running on weekends.
Debi Wilson, Liaison Officer, says there's been expected challenges attracting riders to the new line, but they've also had issues attracting local staff.
"That's kind of one of our setbacks right now I would say, is that we just don't have drivers in that area," she said. "That is actually a big issue, a lack of drivers... I've put an ad out and I have not gotten one single resume for a job applicant yet."
Wilson says the need to have drivers from Port Elgin is part of the company's push to offer more options moving forward. The bus currently runs from London to Port Elgin Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, with return trips the following mornings.
Part of their outreach is an online questionnaire, as they try and find what locals want for a mid-week option.
"I really would like to get a weekday run, so I put that survey out to try to find out what days people were looking to travel, and I was surprised because most of them were looking to travel on the weekends, which is what we're doing," she said. "But I was looking at Tuesday and Wednesday, Wednesday being a full day, where we go from London and return."
Wilson expects ridership will pick up as word spreads and the holidays near, but they still are looking for funding options to make it sustainable.
There is money available through the Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP), but OnexBus will need municipal support to apply.
"Unfortunately they did not open up OTIP to the independent carriers like the bus companies ourselves," said Wilson. We have to work through the municipalities to try to get funding if that's even possible. So that's something that we're looking into so then it's not a burden on any of the municipalities or the counties, it's funded through the government."
Wilson says there has been communication with Bruce County about applying but there hasn't been anything tabled.
OnexBus is also looking to add more flagged stops in Bruce County, eyeing areas like Tiverton and Amberley.
To take part in their passenger survey, visit here.