AJ Bus Lines will be providing shuttle service for Elliot Lake residents to connect with Ontario Northland buses travelling along Highway 17 and up until the end of October with Greyhound until that company discontinues service.
Daryl Halloch, the city’s Director of Public Works, told council at its meeting Monday that AJ Bus Lines was the lone company to respond to a request for proposals sent out by the city. The five-year contract came in at $351,064 plus HST.
With the service in place, “the city becomes a more attractive place to live for people who depend on the service,” Halloch told council.
The shuttle will run twice daily back and forth from Elliot Lake six days a week. There is not Sunday service.
Councillor Chris Patrie raised concern about any unforeseen decisions by the provincial government to halt the Ontario Northland service in the future. The concern was based on Greyhound’s decision to halt bus service along the Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie corridor.
The contract with AJ Bus Lines gives the city the opportunity to opt out of the contract with 45-day notice.
Greyhound bus service will no longer be running west of Sudbury as of October 31, 2018, therefore shuttle service to Blind River from Elliot Lake, ON and back will be discontinued as of October 31, 2018, and only services for the Ontario Northland shuttle service will be required. l. The validity and interpretation of this contract and of each clause and part thereof shall be governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario.