Timmins Transit to Resume Modified Schedule on September 3
On September 3, Timmins Transit will end its temporary summer service reduction and resume the modified schedule implemented during the pandemic. Route 16 (South Porcupine / Porcupine) and Routes 37 and 38 (Melrose / Riverside) will return to 30-minute frequency. Timmins Transit will continue to run a modified Saturday schedule Monday to Friday based on current ridership numbers.
Ridership refers to the number of people who use the bus. That number has not returned to pre-pandemic levels. Before COVID, transit fares covered roughly 35% of operating costs (fuel, wages, maintenance, and administration). On an operational budget exceeding $5 million, the municipal tax base had to absorb 64% of the costs with just 1% coming from other revenues. Since COVID, transit fares have covered just 19% of operational costs with the tax base now covering 68%. The City has also had to rely on operational grants to cover 12% of transit operations, even though the cost to operate was reduced through service reduction. The totals provided are based on actuals from 2019 to 2021. Ongoing labour shortages have made hiring drivers post-COVID challenging.
At this time, a modified schedule works best to balance service, convenience, and cost. Timmins Transit tracks ridership numbers every month and can respond to an increase in demand if necessary. Management has also initiated a complete route analysis to determine system efficiency. This is the first step in evaluating how to increase ridership and find alternative modes of service delivery that better suit the needs of the community.
Timmins Transit’s Northern College Express will also resume on September 6 to help students travel from the Transit Terminal on Spruce St. to the Northern College campus. This seasonal service aims to address demand and improve service.
The City of Timmins is currently hiring part-time bus drivers. The successful candidate will have an acceptable driving record and be capable of possessing a Class “BZ” or “CZ” Ontario Driver’s License. No transit experience is required, and training is provided.