A new seasonal transportation service is set to improve travel connections between Muskoka, Northern Ontario, and the Greater Toronto Area, beginning June 8.
Explorers’ Edge has announced an expansion of service with FlixBus, adding new routes and stops throughout the Great Canadian Wilderness region. Officials said the new service will provide residents and visitors with more affordable transportation options, create new opportunities for tourism development, and build a more competitive and connected visitor economy.
The expanded service will provide direct bus connections between Toronto Union Station, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, South River, and North Bay. A new stop at Parry Sound Municipal Airport will also be added to the existing Toronto-to-Sudbury route.
Explorers’ Edge said the expanded transportation network will support its emerging Regenerative Travel Agency model, which focuses on creating bookable tourism experiences that combine transportation, accommodations, attractions, and outdoor recreation.
“Transportation is one of the missing pieces in rural destination development,” said CEO of Explorers’ Edge, James Murphy. “At a time when affordability matters more than ever, FlixBus gives us a platform to connect the economics of travel with real, bookable tourism products. Our job now is to connect the bus directly to the outdoor experiences, accommodations and communities that make this region so compelling.”
The North Bay route will include stops at hotels in Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, and North Bay, as well as a stop at Crystal Cave in South River.
Brent Ellerson, marketing manager at Algonquin Outfitters and vice-chair of Explorers’ Edge, said improved transportation is vital to attract visitors, particularly those without access to a vehicle.
“For a traveller arriving without a vehicle, or for someone looking for a more affordable way to explore Ontario, the ability to connect bus service with outdoor experiences, accommodations, and local businesses can make the difference between interest and action,” Ellerson said. “Improved transportation access is critical if we want more visitors to experience the region in a way that is practical, welcoming and connected.”
