A new Community Bus Service in Elora and Fergus will launch on June 19, a joint effort of the Centre Wellington Social Justice Group and Elliott Coach Lines.
“This new service is definitely needed. We heard over and over again in our community discussions last fall that more options for transportation around the township are needed,” said Paul Holyoke, chair of the Social Justice Group.
The community bus will start with service three days a week, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, with three loops from Elora to Fergus and back to Elora.
The first run starts at 9:20am in the parking lot of 6484 County Road 7 (formerly, Antiques Warehouse) near the front door of Family & Children’s Services of Guelph-Wellington.
Stops on the route include the Elora Community Centre, the Elora post office, Station Square park, several locations along Colborne Street, Wellington Terrace, Aboyne library, Terry Fox Park/Freshco, Fergus Grand Theatre, Walmart, the Sportsplex, Zehrs and Tim Hortons, the Victoria Park Seniors Centre, David and Queen Street (near the hospital and food bank), and the Fergus General Store and Market.
The fare is $2 cash per ride, payable when boarding, exact fare only (no change).
The Social Justice Group and representatives of Elliott Coach Lines met in March to see if there was a way to work together.
“We were delighted to talk to Angus MacKay, president of Elliott Coach Lines, and Shirley Hastie, branch manager,” said Social Justice Group member Sharon Ogden.
Hastie commented, “We saw an opportunity to do something for the community that is really needed, and have worked with the Social Justice Group to get this going. It’s been fun.”
Township councillor Kirk McElwain said, “Congratulations to the Social Justice Group and Elliott Coach Lines for starting up this new bus service. There has long been a recognition that lack of transit would be a hindrance to our growth as a community, and this is the start of something with a real eye to the future.”
The Social Justice Group held two public meetings at the end of May to get input on the route and schedule.
“The feedback was very encouraging and there were very good ideas raised that have influenced how the service will run,” said Social Justice Group member Lee Maidlow.
“There was a lot of excitement about the bus. It’s a tremendous way for people to get around the township easier and to meet one another.”
For more information about the service, including the route and schedule, go to www.cwsocialjustice.ca. Information is also available about the daily bus service to and from Guelph, operated by Elliott Coach Lines.
