A public transit pilot in Gravenhurst could have big possibilities for the near future.
In July, the Town will be rolling out the six-month transit service running two days a week.
Director of Development Services Scott Lucas says the chance to roll out this pilot came when the District of Muskoka and Hammond Transportation offered the town the use of the Corridor 11 Bus.
Lucas says this pilot is a way for the town to gauge the level of interest in a permanent public transit service.
Lucas says the idea of public transit in Gravenhurst has been in the town’s strategic plan, but officials weren’t expecting to get into it this early.
He says, based on ridership, the town could continue this two-day transit service into 2018.
But, planning for a larger, more permanent service likely won’t be a conversation that happens next year.
Starting on July 1st, the pilot transit service will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 11:30am and 2:30pm following a 30-minute circuit around the community.
Lucas says won’t be a stable service for anyone needing to get to work, but it can help someone get to an appointment or a shopping centre.
For the first two months, riders can try the service for free and then a possible two dollar fee will be charged per trip.
Lucas says the town is expected to put about $9,000 into the pilot project this year.