Muskoka, Ontario –Hammond Transportation is proud to celebrate one full year of providing Corridor 11 Bus service to riders in Muskoka. Despite unexpected setbacks in late 2012, which temporarily halted service, the Corridor 11 Bus hit the road permanently last December and has been going strong ever since.
“We are really pleased with how ridership has continued to increase over the year,” says Scott Hammond, Director of Operations for Hammond Transportation. “While we got off to a bumpy start, our Corridor 11 Bus service is now running smoothly and consistently.”
When looking at rider statistics for the Corridor 11 Bus there are some very noticeable trends. Almost three quarters of all southbound riders are originating in the north – from either Huntsville or Bracebridge – and the majority of riders are travelling to Barrie and Orillia, with almost equal emphasis on travel to one of the Georgian College campuses or a hospital. Northbound travel, of course, reflects similar trends, with one exception: Soldiers Memorial Hospital in Orillia is by far the most popular point of origin for northbound riders. While these results were expected from the outset and confirm the original thinking behind the Corridor 11 Bus service, Hammond Transportation found something unexpected when they started crunching rider numbers.
“Although the original intention of the Corridor 11 Bus was to move riders out of Muskoka to select locations in Orillia and Barrie, we found that over a quarter of all riders are using the service to move between locations within Muskoka, such as between Huntsville and Bracebridge or between Bracebridge and Gravenhurst. Because of this trend, as well as rider and community feedback, we have added three new morning stops,” Hammond says.
Starting on January 6, 2014, a slightly new schedule will be introduced with three new stops in Bracebridge, including one at the Dollarama Plaza, one at the Georgian College Campus on Wellington Street, and one at The Nest Family Resource Centre at 10 Armstrong Street.
The bus will continue to run Monday to Friday, from Huntsville to Barrie and back, making stops along the way in Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Washago and Orillia. It does not run on weekends or holidays and will not be operating between December 20th and January 6th.
“The Corridor 11 Bus is an important service that is both reliable and affordable. It’s ideal for college students who have traditionally had to relocate to Orillia or Barrie to complete their education. It also fills a historical gap for many of our residents who need to travel south for essential services such as medical appointments,” says Rick Williams, Commissioner of Muskoka Community Services.
Seats on the Corridor 11 Bus can be booked by calling Hammond Transportation at 705-645-2583 or tickets can be purchased directly from the driver. For more information on prices, scheduling and pick-up and drop-off locations, and to find out who is involved in the Corrdior 11 Bus project, go to www.corridor11bus.ca.
