Grey County Council is taking a significant step toward improving transit options in rural communities.
At its recent meeting, council approved moving forward with a collaborative project aimed at exploring the future of transit in the region.
Grey County's Manager of Community Transportation, Stephanie Stewart, said the project is funded through the federal Rural Transit Solutions Fund, providing $50,000 for the first phase.
"We're going to come back with a costing and a detailed plan of how we might do a collaboration of the services that do exist," Stewart explained. "Where can we improve, and how can we utilize vehicles more wisely to just get more people moving from point A to point B?"
Grey County will partner with Bruce County, Dufferin County, and Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit (SMART) to assess the feasibility of creating a unified regional transit network.
“This is an important opportunity for our rural communities,” said CAO Kim Wingrove. “By working together, we can develop a comprehensive, realistic plan to better connect residents across county lines.”
Stewart said they want to better integrate transit services between the regions.
"So just kind of coming at it from all of us at the same table, talking to make the best plan possible for our residents," Stewart shared. "Currently, yes, we do have systems in place. They're just fragmented, and we're not really talking as well as we could."
The funding will cover the first phase of the project, which involves issuing a request for proposals (RFP) to hire a transit consultant. That consultant will lead a detailed study to examine current transit services, ridership needs, and opportunities to improve efficiency and expand services.
"So this plan will be done by a third party to look at the costing, the schedules, how we might put services in place, and how we get people moving from point A to point B most efficiently and effectively," explained Stewart.
The scope of work includes a needs assessment, a proposed regional transit network plan, a new fare structure, a fleet and provider strategy, and a community engagement roadmap. The goal is to enhance operational coordination, expand ridership, and ensure reliable and accessible transit options for all residents.
Council also authorized the Warden and Clerk to sign the funding agreement, clearing the way for the project to proceed. If additional provincial funding through the Ontario Transit Investment Fund (OTIF) is approved, it could expand the scope of the study even further.
Staff expect to return to council with further updates and recommendations following the study’s completion in 2025/26.