A Transit Windsor bus is parked outside Zehrs on Tecumseh Rd. E in Windsor on June 7, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.A Transit Windsor bus is parked outside Zehrs on Tecumseh Rd. E in Windsor on June 7, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.
Windsor

Windsor Fireworks Shuttle, Zehrs Mark Ten Years

Want a way to beat the traffic on the night of the Ford Fireworks?

Transit Windsor and Zehrs are marking ten years in their efforts to provide fireworks fans with a ride to and from the riverfront for the annual fireworks over the Detroit River. They are teaming up again to help fireworks fans get downtown and back with ease on the evening of June 25.

Representatives from Transit Windsor and Zehrs were on hand at the Lauzon Pkwy. location Thursday to cut a tenth-anniversary cake and announce the plans for this year's shuttle service, which will take passengers downtown from Devonshire Mall, then bring them back after the show.

Transit Windsor's Pat Delmore says the shuttle service has evolved over the ten years. Now, bus riders all over the city are benefitting.

"At one point it was just the shuttle to and from Devonshire Mall, and at one point it was Tecumseh Mall as well," says Delmore. "Throughout this process, we kind of worked together and we expanded it even more to include the entire city service. So our regular transit service is free as well after 6pm."

Delmore says the operation has become a well-oiled machine on fireworks night. Dozens of Transit Windsor buses are on hand near the riverfront and MacDougall Ave. is closed off to express bus traffic only. Transit Windsor drivers can collect all those who use the service within an hour of the finale of the fireworks display.

The effort would not be possible without the continued support of Zehrs, according to Delmore.

"It's certainly something we would not be able to do on our own," says Delmore. "The contribution that Zehrs gives us allows us to put additional supervision."

Delmore adds that many drivers working fireworks night can earn overtime since they are driving after their regular shifts end.

The shuttle service begins from Devonshire Mall at 6pm with the last bus heading downtown at 9:30pm. The fireworks show traditionally starts at 10:06pm.

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