Bus service returning to the Northwest will help residents and local business, according to city tourism officials.
The province announced Thursday that Ontario Northland will start offering trips between White River and Thunder Bay May 17, and Thunder Bay to Winnipeg starting May 18.
City Tourism Manager Paul Pepe points out people often need to come to Thunder Bay from smaller communities for medical appointments, and we could see more visitors after the pandemic.
“It could certainly open up to leisure traffic once restrictions loosen up and people feel comfortable travelling for leisure again. There are people who do travel by ground,” Pepe says, adding tourism officials often get questions from travellers looking for ground travel through or to Thunder Bay.
Pepe says this will help people who can’t or don’t wish to drive on the highway during the winter or for long trips.
Kasper Transportation, which also offers bus service in the Northwest, suspended its service due to lower traffic volumes during the pandemic. Pepe hopes once Kasper resumes service, Ontario Northland can work with the private sector to offer more complete coverage and fill what he calls an “acute” transportation gap.
