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The ONTC is making a new round of cuts to bus service.

Minister of Northern Development and Mines, Michael Gravelle says the service is always reviewing rider numbers and sometimes the numbers doesn’t add up.

“There are decisions that need to be made by ONTC management to ensure the long term sustainability.”

Ontario NDP MPP for Timiskaming-Cochrane John Vanthof says certain promises are being broken.

“In 2012, this government cancelled our only passenger train in Northern Ontario. The reason was because they had an equivalent bus line, and they were going to provide enhanced bus service. Since then, they’ve closed bus stations, and yesterday we learned that they’re making even more cuts to bus routes.”

“Why is it acceptable for this government to deny public transit to people in Northern Ontario?”

Director of Passenger Services Tracy MacPhee says this is a calculated move.

“Ontario Northland continuously reviews our motor coach services and makes adjustments as operationally required and in response to customer demands,”

“The service changes are necessary to streamline our services in order for Ontario Northland to be sustainable in the long term. We are working with our employees, community leaders, passengers and bus parcel express customers to ensure a successful transition.”

The Following is a list of cuts and schedule changes affecting Northern Ontario:

  • The Cochrane to Iroquois Falls/Matheson route will now have daily service once a day (previously twice a day);
  • The Cochrane to Timmins route will now have daily service twice a day (previously three times a day);
  • The Timmins to Cochrane route will now have daily service twice a day (previously three times a day); and
  • The Hearst to Kapuskasing route will no longer have daily service, but will instead have Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday departures from Hearst.
  • Departure from Timmins to Sudbury will be at 9:15 a.m. instead of 11:30 a.m.
  • Departure from North Bay to Timmins will be at 7:00 a.m. instead of 5:00 a.m.

– See more at: http://www.ontarionorthland.ca/en/news/motor-coach-schedule-changes-november#sthash.rG7Vw3Vi.dpuf