Elliot Lake's Director of Public Works Daryl Halloch posted information on social media in response to an inquiry about the introduction of new technology on the Elliot Lake Transit system.
The inquiring poster wanted to know if the internet-linked system is based on an app called 'Where's My Bus?'
"We have a company coming up to install an audio call-out system as well as a sign inside each bus letting passengers know what the next stop will be," replied Daryl Halloch. "At the same time the company is installing software help to help track passengers getting on/off, and, at what stops."
Halloch explained that the company will also be offering an updated app that will track the location of the buses, and will have a different name than 'Where's My Bus.'
"After this is completed in February we will share the information with the public so they can access the app," Halloch explained.
Last September (2020), ElliotLakeToday reporter Kris Svela wrote a story about Elliot Lake's Transit System getting a complete review and overhaul following a federal provincial funding announcement of $937,500.
The story indicated that funding was divided between the city and the two upper levels of government with Elliot Lake putting up $259,031 (26.67 per cent), the federal government $375,500 (40 per cent) and the province $312,469 (33.33 per cent).
The review project included the entire Elliot Lake Transit system including conventional and specialized systems.
Halloch said Elliot Lake Economic Development Coordinator Ashten Vlahovich was 'instrumental' in securing the funding and taking part in the transit system review.
City CAO Daniel Gagnon said the secured funding was from the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS) Plan.
Gagnon said the project will cost the city about $83,000 annually with money coming from the annual gas tax revenue and it should not require any increase in taxes.