PC Connect’s rural route is ending April 1.
Since its launch in November 2020, the program has been funded through Ontario’s Community Transportation Grant Program.
Perth County Council made the decision at a December meeting to scrap the route due to budgetary concerns and low ridership.
Staff presented a list of other transportation options at council’s Thursday meeting.
Continued operation of the route past the provincially funded pilot period would be an estimated $225,103 in 2025, with costs to increase in 2026 with the absence of grant funding and acquisition of new fleet vehicles.
To date, PC Connect’s Rural Route has provided more than 16,890 rides.
The route includes stops in Stratford, Gadshill, Brunner, Milverton, Millbank, Newton, Listowel, Atwood, Monkton and Mitchell.
For public transit options, these include the other intercommunity service routes 1, 2 and 3 from North Perth, Stratford and St. Marys travelling to Kitchener-Waterloo or London.
These fully accessible buses provide one-way service for $12.
VIA Rail also provides service to locations outside Perth County that depart and arrive from Stratford and St. Marys.
Taxi services are currently operating within Perth County offering a combination of time and kilometre-based fares and flat rate services for frequent and out of town destinations.
ONEXBUS currently offers connectivity between Shakespeare and Stratford through one morning departure and one evening return route.
There are also non-profit transportation available, which include OneCare, EasyRide, or Mobility Bus.
These services are tailored to help people with limited mobility or those who require assistance due to age, illness, or disability.
Perth County passed a motion to continue to advocate for rural transit.
For the full staff report, visit the Perth County council website.
