FlixBus to bring intercity service to St. Marys
- 57 minutes ago
- 3 min read
By Galen Simmons
St. Marys residents will soon have a new option for travelling across southwestern Ontario and beyond after council approved a bus-stop agreement with FlixBus at its May 26 meeting.
Council approved an agreement allowing the international intercity bus company to use two designated stops on Water Street South, clearing the way for FlixBus to begin serving St. Marys with flag service as part of its London-Stratford-Toronto route.
“The one nice thing about it being a flag service is they will maintain that primary corridor along Highway 7 from London to Stratford and not stop in St. Marys if they haven’t sold tickets, but if, within two hours of when they plan to stop in St. Marys, they’ve sold tickets, they’ll stop in St. Marys,” town CAO Brent Kittmer said. “With (Onex Bus), because there wasn’t ridership, we didn’t see them stay in the community very long, where, in this instance … it just seemed like an easy stop into St. Marys (to) pick someone up if they’re there.
“I think there’s less risk because they know it’s only flag service and they’re going to come here on demand. It’s a really great way to start and we hope the public embraces it, we hope the public uses it because we’ve heard that’s a want and a need in the community.”
According to a report from Kittmer, improving access to public transportation was identified by council as a strategic priority at the beginning of the current term. While residents already have access to PC Connect service along the London-St. Marys-Stratford-Kitchener corridor, the new FlixBus service will connect local travellers to a much larger transportation network.
In an email to Mayor Al Strathdee and Kittmer shared with the Independent, FlixBus director of public affairs Andrew Miller confirmed service will launch June 22.
Initially, St. Marys will receive one round trip each day. The eastbound departure will leave town at 7:55 a.m. and travel through Stratford, Kitchener, Guelph, Toronto Pearson International Airport and Toronto Union Station. The westbound return trip will arrive in St. Marys at 5:30 p.m. before continuing to London, including stops downtown and at Western University.
The route will operate six days a week, excluding Tuesdays, until July 26 before expanding to daily service beginning July 27.
Town staff identified two locations on Water Street South for the service, the same stops previously used by Onex Bus before that company ceased operations earlier this year. A southbound stop will be located near 60 Water St. S., while a northbound stop will be established near 84 Wellington St. S. Staff determined the locations best met FlixBus operational requirements after reviewing several options.
The town will install permanent concrete boarding pads at both locations and will be responsible for general maintenance of the stops, including snow and ice removal where practical.
“Is there going to be any kind of a shelter at these stops,” Coun. Marg Luna asked.
“Not at the outset just because of the cost, but if this service becomes something that’s sustainable in our community and is widely used, I think that would be our next natural improvement, to provide shelter.”
The agreement is for an initial five-year term and will automatically renew annually unless terminated by either party.
Known for its bright green buses, FlixBus has rapidly expanded its Canadian network in recent years. The company launched service in Stratford in February after Onex Bus announced it would discontinue service due to low ridership. At the time, FlixBus said Stratford’s inclusion in its network would improve year-round, car-free access to major cultural, educational and transportation hubs while creating more convenient travel options for residents and visitors.
Passengers travelling on FlixBus routes have access to amenities including free Wi-Fi, power outlets, luggage storage and real-time bus tracking through the company’s mobile app.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that the mayor of Stratford did do some lobbying on our behalf before we had the meeting (with FlixBus),” Mayor Al Strathdee said before council approved the agreement. “I think Martin (Ritsma) wants to the use the bus to come to some Lincolns games or something.
“But he did suggest to Flix that we’d be a good candidate for bus service as we’ve had several conversations about transportation.”