After a year-long pilot project, Northumberland County has announced the end of its transit service to the Oshawa GO Station.
The decision was made after careful consideration of ridership numbers and feedback from the community. The pilot project, which began in January 2020, aimed to provide a more convenient and affordable transportation option for residents of Northumberland County to access the Oshawa GO Station.
However, the county’s transit service saw low ridership numbers, with an average of only 10 passengers per day. This was significantly lower than the projected ridership of 50 passengers per day. The county also faced financial challenges in sustaining the service, with an estimated cost of $200,000 per year.
In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic further impacted ridership, as many people began working from home and travel restrictions were put in place. This led to a decrease in demand for public transportation.
Despite the end of the pilot project, Northumberland County remains committed to exploring alternative transportation options for its residents. The county will continue to work with its partners, including the City of Oshawa and Metrolinx, to find solutions that meet the needs of the community.
Residents who relied on the transit service to access the Oshawa GO Station can still use other transportation options, such as carpooling or utilizing the county’s Dial-A-Ride service. The county also encourages residents to provide feedback and suggestions for future transportation initiatives.
In conclusion, while the pilot project may have come to an end, Northumberland County remains dedicated to finding ways to improve transportation for its residents. The decision to end the transit service to the Oshawa GO Station was made with careful consideration and the county will continue to prioritize the needs of its community in all future transportation plans.