A new LINX Transit route will be rolling out next month.
The Alliston to Bradford link of the County of Simcoe’s LINX Transit will start running on Aug. 4, with free service for the first month. Fares for the route will kick in September 2020.
The new Route 5 joins the four other pre-existing routes: Route 1 travels from Barrie to Midland and Penetanguishene, Route 2 travels from Barrie to Wasaga Beach, Route 3 travels from Barrie to Orillia and Route 4 travels from Wasaga Beach to Collingwood.
According to a county staff report considered by county councillors on Tuesday, it is estimated that during the state of emergency due to COVID-19, about $133,000 in fare revenues have been waived on the LINX buses. However, the report also notes that transit service changes that began in April have yielded an approximate savings of $214,000.
“Transit service levels have been reduced as ridership has decreased due to COVID-19,” wrote Dennis Childs, transit manager with the County of Simcoe. “Transit staff will continue to monitor COVID-19 ridership levels and plan for reintroduction of service hours as required.”
After waiving ridership fees on the buses during the early days of the pandemic, on July 2, the county started re-introducing fares.
Face coverings or non-surgical masks are required for customers. LINX operators will also be wearing appropriate safety gear to ensure the safety of customers.
The next route planned for the county-wide transit service – Route 6, connecting Penetanguishene and Midland to Orillia – will now have a later start date of early fall due to the delay of bus deliveries as a result of COVID-19.
For more information on LINX transit including fares and schedules, click here.
