July 27, 2018: Metrolinx and Ontario Northland will be piloting a combined weekend service this August to give visitors to the Muskoka Region and North Bay a convenient, comfortable way to take transit and avoid traffic delays.

Every Friday from August 3 to September 3, the 5:35 p.m. Barrie train out of Union Station will meet with an Ontario Northland bus at Allandale Waterfront GO Station. The bus will continue on to serve Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville and North Bay. The return bus trip will operate at the end of the weekend, whether it’s the Sunday or holiday Monday, and connect with a Toronto-bound GO train at Aurora GO Station.

One ticket will provide transportation on both the GO train and the Ontario Northland bus. Tickets can be purchased at ontarionorthland.ca. Instead of tapping a PRESTO card on the GO train, customers will simply need to show their ticket when requested.

“This service is ideal for those commuting to cottage country,” said Corina Moore, President and CEO of Ontario Northland. “We are lining up our services in an effort to create a seamless, convenient connection for our passengers.”

“This partnership with Ontario Northland is an exciting opportunity for us to help our customers get to where they need to go,” Metrolinx CEO and President Phil Verster said. “Whether they’re vacationing or visiting family, we are giving the GTHA more options to travel better, faster and easier.”

By creating connections, Metrolinx and Ontario Northland are making better use of the province’s public transportation network.

Schedule:



North Bound - Friday Depart South Bound – Sunday or Holiday Monday Depart GO Train 801 –UNION STATION 17:35 North Bay TRIP 790 16:00 Downsview Park GO 17:53 Huntsville 17:20 Rutherford GO 18:06 Bracebridge 17:55 Maple GO 18:11 Gravenhurst 18:25 King City GO 18:20 Barrie Allandale GO * 19:35 Aurora GO 18:31 Barrie South GO* 19:45 Newmarket GO 18:39 Bradford GO* 20:15 East Gwillimbury GO 18:43 East Gwillimbury GO* 20:35 Bradford GO 18:52 Newmarket GO* 20:40 Barrie South GO 19:11 Transfer to GO Train 822 : AURORA 21:11 ALLANDALE Waterfront GO – Transfer to Bus 19:21 King City GO 21:22 Gravenhurst 20:25 Maple GO 21:28 Bracebridge (rest stop) 20:40 Rutherford GO 21:32 Huntsville 21:30 Downsview Park GO 21:41 North Bay 22:55 Toronto UNION 22:03 *Drop off only

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For media inquiries please contact:

Rebecca McGlynn, Director of Marketing and Communications

rebecca.mcglynn@ontarionorthland.ca

Tel: 705.472.4500 or 1.800.363.7512 ext. 529, cell 705.845.8005