Graydon Smith sees a lot of potential in a new pilot project by Ontario Northland.
The bus service is partnering with Metrolinx to offer a route from the Barrie Go Train Station to stops in Gravenhurst, Bracebridge and Huntsville for weekend travellers. The Bracebridge Mayor says he’s hopeful this will attract more tourists who usually try to avoid the busy 400 traffic.
Smith says this could help lead to more possibilities for alternative travel to and from Muskoka.
The mayor is one of many community officials advocating for the return of the Northlander, a train service which used to run from Toronto to Cochrane with stops in Muskoka. The railway service was shut down in 2012.
This new Ontario Northland bus route pilot will run Fridays into Muskoka and will return travellers back to the Barrie station on Sunday or holiday Monday. Â It will continue until the Labour Day weekend in September.
Here’s the proposed schedule:
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Ontario Northland partners with Metrolinx to offer new Muskoka-bound travel option