Crown agency also suspending expansion to Thunder Bay

The Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) is reducing service on selected Northern Ontario bus routes in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“As more Ontarians are staying home and limiting travel due to COVID-19, Ontario Northland is balancing its service with current passenger demand,” the ONTC said.

The Crown agency said the decision would impact trips to North, Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, and Timmins, as well as Toronto and Ottawa.

The change comes into effect this Sunday, April 26.

“Passengers who have reservations on a cancelled route will be contacted and offered an alternative travel time or be fully reimbursed,” the ONTC said.

Service to Thunder Bay, which the ONTC just announced in February, has also been temporarily suspended.

“Ontario Northland is monitoring the evolving situation and will work with affected communities and our agency partners to establish a new start date,” the agency said in a statement.

The new service is expected to help travellers in northwestern Ontario communities make connections between Thunder Bay to stops in eastern Ontario, including Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, and North Bay, with connections to Toronto and Ottawa.

The ONTC’s Polar Bear Express passenger rail service – which travels between Cochrane and Moosonee – remains suspended.

For those still travelling, the ONTC said it is encouraging passengers to wear a non-medical mask or face covering that covers the mouth and nose, which “can be helpful at times during the journey when it’s difficult to maintain physical distance from others.”

This is in line with guidelines released by Transport Canada earlier this week regarding travel within the country’s transportation system.

Headquartered in North Bay, the Crown agency offers freight and passenger rail service, and bus service throughout Ontario. The ONTC additionally operates a 150,000-square-foot remanufacturing and repair shop where it rebuilds and refurbishes rail equipment.

As of April 1, the ONTC comes under the purview of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

Passengers with travel questions are directed to call 1-800-461-8558 or email passengercare@ontarionorthland.ca.