A transit study is the first step in getting a regional system running in Grey, Bruce and Dufferin Counties.
The Counties, along with Saugeen Mobility Transit learned back in June, they had secured $9.5 million in government funding through its Ontario Transit Investment Fund (OTIF) to develop the regional transit network.
A Grey County staff report by Manager of Community Transportation Stephanie Stewart says phase one in getting a network going will be a study that will design and cost a unified regional transit network building on previous transit planning efforts, leveraging past insights, and recommendations.
Grey County has been running a regional transit system called the Grey Transit Route (GTR), but it has seen inconsistent funding levels and some routes were cut. The Guelph to Owen Sound bus (GOST) currently runs along Highway 6.
Stewart says in her report “Wellington County decided to join our RFP (request for proposals) process with a focus on integrating along Highway 6, which is our Guelph to Owen Sound transit route and look at Highway 9 corridors and into neighbouring communities.”
She says, “The study will explore how Wellington County’s Ride Well program (on demand rural transit) will also be able to be leveraged to enhance our existing services and our regional connectivity.”
Stewart told coucillors, “Between October 2025 and March 2026, we will work closely with the successful bidder to develop a proof of concept study and then bring that back to you in the spring of 2026 for consideration,” adding,
“This information will outline how funding would be allocated. The exact costs for years two through five, the service levels we could achieve according to different levels of budget and forecast a potential cost beyond the grant period,” says Stewart.
She says the study will give staff, Council and the partners the information necessary to make informed decisions about the future potential of a unified regional transit network.
The study itself is expected to take about six months. In the spring of 2026, staff should be ready to make presentations to each Council and board for consideration. The County says the OTIF funding agreement requires contributions from all partners. Grey County Council authorized staff to sign a transfer payment agreement and to include $145,000 in the 2026 budget for Council’s consideration.
