Tunnel bus service between Windsor and Detroit will resume on Sunday, November 27, but only for commuters and day-trippers.
Sales and Marketing Manager David Calibaba said Transit Windsor hopes to resume special event service next year.
"Sometimes, we would get 1,500 riders within 90 minutes," recalled Calibaba of pre-pandemic passenger volumes for special events. He said Transit Windsor needs the time to train drivers for the route.
When commuter service resumes, the focus will be on those crossing the border for the day and those who work or go to school in Detroit.
Finding qualified drivers delayed the return to commuter service a week. Last month, Transit Windsor announced it would resume service on November 20. Calibaba said it needed the extra time to bring drivers up to speed.
"While the Tunnel Bus service was paused over the past two-plus years, most of the calls we received were from commuters and students telling us that the absence of service was making commuting to Downtown Detroit challenging," said Executive Director Tyson Cragg.
The Tunnel bus will leave the Windsor International Transit Terminal on Chatham Street West every hour, on the hour. Only one bus will be in service, so seating is limited. From Monday to Friday, the schedule is from 6 a.m. to 9:41 p.m. On Sundays, the first run will depart at 8 a.m. and the last bus returns to the terminal at 7:41 p.m.
Those hoping to take the bus to Ford Field or Little Caesars Arena may find themselves stranded across the border. Transit Windsor urges riders attending concerts or sporting events to find other transportation.
