The first ever Transit Windsor bus between Windsor and Leamington has started rolling. July 8, 2019. (Photo by Paul Pedro)The first ever Transit Windsor bus between Windsor and Leamington has started rolling. July 8, 2019. (Photo by Paul Pedro)
Windsor

New bus route from Leamington to Windsor makes history

The first ever Transit Windsor bus between Windsor and Leamington has started rolling.

It arrived at the end of its line at St Clair College just before 3 p.m. on Monday.

The four-year Leamington pilot project starts in Leamington but makes stops in Essex, and Kingsville. The stops in Leamington, Kingsville, and Essex are at their respective recreation and sports complexes.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said he hopes the new route leads to regional transit and opens up broader local job opportunities.

"I used to joke and say I can get somebody on a bus from Windsor to the Palace of Auburn Hills to see a concert but I can't get people to employment 20 minutes away in another municipality," Dilkens said.

Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald is keeping her fingers crossed that the new service grows to all parts of the region.

"Strong ridership and a successful outcome at the end of this pilot project could lead to permanent continuation of regional transit and the potential expansion of this service," added MacDonald.

Essex Mayor Larry Snively said the new route gives much greater accessibility t0 those who haven't had it before.

"This a great opportunity for people that are seeking jobs and job creators, this will bring students to the post-secondary institution here, which is great. This has been a long time coming," said Snively.

The Leamington to Windsor (LTW) trip takes about an hour and costs $15 round trip and $10 one way. The service runs three times daily but does not run on Sunday.

The total cost of the project is $1.2 million with Leamington paying $125,000, the province giving a $600,000 grant and the rest of the money coming from rider fares.

Lakeshore, Tecumseh, and Amherstburg remain the only municipalities not participating in regional transit.

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