All-Time List of Canadian Transit Systems
Ontario Communities (O - R)

by David A. Wyatt

Oakville, Ontario

From 1896 to 1929 Oakville was connected to Hamilton by the operations of the Hamilton Radial Electric Railway Company interurban.

Hillmer Bros. Bus & Livery (19th Century?)
omnibus Nothing is known about this operation except that it issued [undated] passenger fare tokens. The typical business pattern was common carrier scheduled omnibus service between railway station(s) and local hotels, coordinated with train arrivals and departures. Most such firms also engaged in charter activities, and some also carried mail. (Atwood – Coffee p. 468).

C.H. Norton Bus Lines (1962 - 1972)
Two routes. Franchise expired 1972.

Gray Coach Lines (1970s?)
(Canadian Coach 1973). Intercity line through Oakville also had intra-Oakville fare.

Oakville Transit 7929 (Flyer D800) (W.E. Miller 1983) Oakville Transit (System) (05 September 1972 - present)
(Dawes et al. 1972, Transit Canada 1975, CUTA 1976-77, CUTA 1989, CUTA 1991/2, CUTA 1992, Chow 1998, photo: W.E. Miller [Peter Cox collection])

Oakville Transit logo
system logo
Service area population105,000 (1991)
Ridership2,479,945 (2009)
Vehicle fleet60 buses (2000)
Employees100 (1991)
Data source:CUTA 1991/2
CTHF/SSG 2000
CTF [Aug. 2010] (ridership)
website 2011 (logo)

References

Orangeville, Ontario

Orangeville Transit 099059 (Kevin Nicol 2011 Apr 02) Orangeville Transit System (02 December 1991 - present)
Operated by Charterways Transportation Limited. (Chow 1998, CUTA F94, CUTA 1992 “non-member”, photo Kevin Nicol)
As of 2011 First Student Canada and its predecessors had been the contract operator for twenty years (orangeville.com 25 November 2011).

Orangeville Transit logo
system logo
Vehicle fleet2 minibuses
Data source:CTHF/SSG 2000
website 2010 (logo)

Orillia, Ontario

C.A. Anderson & Son Livery (19th Century?)
omnibus Nothing is known about this operation except that it issued [undated] passenger fare tokens. The typical business pattern was common carrier scheduled omnibus service between railway station(s) and local hotels, coordinated with train arrivals and departures. Most such firms also engaged in charter activities, and some also carried mail. Some tokens inscribed Anderson Livery or Anderson's Livery. (Atwood – Coffee p. 468).

Orillia Bus Lines #1 (Ford) (Peter Cox) Orillia Bus Lines (? - ?)
Transit operator photographed by Peter Cox circa 1950s. (photo Peter Cox).

Orillia Transportation Company Ltd. (? - circa 1975)
(Dawes et al. 1972, Canadian Coach 1973)

Orillia Transit 7504 GM new look (WE Miller 1979 Oct 30 [Peter Cox coll.]) City of Orillia Transit System (circa 1975 - present)
(pb89, CUTA 1992 “non-member”, Chow 1998) (Transit Canada 1976 cites Orillia Transit.) Operating contract awarded to Penetang-Midland Coach Lines Limited in 1976 (CUTA 1976-77). Contractor First Canada ULC was replaced 01 July 2017 by a five year contract awarded to Tok Transit Limited. (not in CUTA 1991/2, CUTA 1989, CUTA 1988 or Sotnyk 1981). (photos: W.E. Miller [Peter Cox collection], Kevin Nicol).

Orillia Transit 0113 (Thomas TL960) (Kevin Nicol 2011 Apr 02)

Vehicle fleet7 buses
Data source:CTHF/SSG 2000

Note

Beginning 08 September 2014, with the support of Lakehead University, Hammond Transportation Ltd. operated commuter bus service between Barrie and the Orillia campus of Lakehead University. Use of the service apparently restricted to students, staff, and faculty of the University (website 2014).

Oro Township, Ontario

Underwood Bus Lines Ltd. (circa 04 May 1993 - circa 25 June 1994)
Bus service on Ridge Road, probably connecting Oro Township with nearby Barrie (Daily Packet & Times, 4 May 1993 p. 3, 25 Jun 1994 p. 1, 27 Jun 1994 p. 7; Orillia Today, 10 Oct 1993 p. 6, 3 Jul 1994 p. 3; Huronia Sunday, 27 Feb 1994 p. A3;).

Owen Sound, Ontario

Owen Sound Bus Line (19th Century?)
omnibus Alf. Reid, owner. Nothing is known about this operation except that it issued [undated] passenger fare tokens. The typical business pattern was common carrier scheduled omnibus service between railway station(s) and local hotels, coordinated with train arrivals and departures. Most such firms also engaged in charter activities, and some also carried mail. (Atwood – Coffee p. 469).

Swarts & Sturdy Bus Line (19th Century?)
omnibus Nothing is known about this operation except that it issued [undated] passenger fare tokens. The typical business pattern was common carrier scheduled omnibus service between railway station(s) and local hotels, coordinated with train arrivals and departures. Most such firms also engaged in charter activities, and some also carried mail. (Atwood – Coffee p. 469).

A.J. Frost (circa August 1915? - ?)
Operating three jitney cars (CR&MW September 1915, p. 353).

Owen Sound Bus Lines Ltd. (December 1953 - 1961)
(RS, Dawes et al. 1972). The DBS Transit Report for December 1953 (Vol. 7, No. 12) stated "a new [transit] company went into operation" in Owen Sound that month.

Owen Sound Transit bus Owen Sound Transit System (? - present)
Perera 1973 lists that the City of Owen Sound received transit operating subsidies from the provincial government. CUTA 1976-77 lists City of Owen Sound. Operated under contract by First Student Canada (Street Side Guide 2015). (not in CUTA 1991/2, CUTA 1989, CUTA 1988 or Sotnyk 1981). (pb89 lists an Owen Sound Transit Bus Lines). (RS, CUTA 1992 "non-member", Photos: anonymous, W.E. Miller [Peter Cox collection], Kevin Nicol).

Owen Sound Transit 771 (GM new look) (W.E. Miller 1979) Owen Sound Transit 606 (ElDorado EZ Rider) (Kevin Nicol 2011 Apr 02)

Vehicle fleet4 buses
Data source:CTHF/SSG 1998

Parry Sound, Ontario

Parry Sound Transit (summer 2007 - 31 March 2015)
Transit service operated three days/week (Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays), operated by Hammond Transportation Ltd. (website 2011). Sometime after 2011 service was reduced to two days/week: Tuesdays and Fridays (town website 2014). Service cancelled completely at the end of March 2015.

Parry Sound Transit logo
system logo
Data source: online schedule 2011

Pelham, Ontario

Pelham Transit (02 September 2008 - 31 August 2009)
Transit service connecting the Fonthill area of Pelham with Welland. Operation contracted to Welland Transit. Service discontinued at the end of the one-year trial. (Welland Tribune 2009).

Pelham My Ride (08 September 2015 - 18 August 2020)
Trial service funded in part by a provincial “Community Transportation Pilot Grant”. Service was fare free through 30 September 2015. Bus lettered Pelham Transit. Operated under contract by Sharp Bus Lines Ltd. Service discontinued in favour of Regional on-demand transit service. (website 2015).

Pelham My Ride logo (2015)
system logo (2015)
Data source: website 2015 (logo)

Niagara Region Transit On-Demand (18 August 2020 - present)
Pilot program launched in Pelham, Lincoln, West Lincoln, and Grimsby. Service contracted to Via Mobility. Initial trial for 12 months, with an option for a further 12 months.

Pembroke, Ontario

Pembroke Transit (01 November 1977 - circa 1998)
Town council voted to discontinue transit service 1998 in response to the end of provincial operating subsidies (CTHF Bulletin 1998). (CUTA 1988, CUTA 1989, CUTA 1991/2, CUTA 1992, pb96)

Upper Valley Transit (1998 - 2004)
Private operator. Owner Don Dodds. No service in Pembroke for several months in 2004. ([Stratford] Beacon Herald Jul. 21, 2011).

Thom Transit Ltd. (2004 - 28 March 2014)
Private operator ([Stratford] Beacon Herald Jul. 21, 2011). As of 2008 the operating schedule in effect dated from 2005 (website). The 2008 schedule (website 2010) also reports Thom. Service in Pembroke and parts of Laurentian Valley Township. Service termination announced for 28 March 2014 (The Daily Observer 06 March 2014). (Bus Industry Magazine (Vol. 4, No. 4)/AG) (not in Sotnyk 1981)

Service area population14,000 (1991)
Vehicle fleet4 buses (1995)
Employees8 (1991)
Data source:CUTA 1991/2
CTHF/SSG 1998 (1995 data)

Chalk River System

AECL “new look” 72 Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Transportation Branch (? - present)
For decades AECL operated bus service between Pembroke and its facilities at Chalk River and Deep River. As a public agency, AECL maintained an "operator" membership in the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA), but it's not clear if their operations were ever common carrier. At some time, probably in the later 1990's or early 2000's, AECL moved to contracting the service. The contractor circa 2007 was Thom Transit Ltd. (Dawes et al. 1972, CUTA 1976-77, CUTA 1989, CUTA 1991/2, CUTA 1992) (not in Sotnyk 1981)

AECL bus 65 AECL CanCar 86 AECL Twin 141

Service area population2,000
Vehicle fleet35 buses
Employees52
Data source:CUTA 1991/2

Penetanguishene, Ontario

Midland Transit Service (01 February 2016 - present)
Transit service in Penetanguishene, with connection to Midland, began in early 2016. The service is operated under contract by Midland Transit Service using a bus owned by Penetanguishene. Town of Petentanguishene website uses the abbreviation MPT for Midland Penetanguishene Transit.

Port Colborne, Ontario

Port Colborne Transit (February 2006 - present)
Local transit changed from one day per week to five February 2006. Managed by Port Cares. “Local service [in Port Colborne] in 2007 was provided by Laidlaw” (Welland Tribune, 14 March 2008). Connector service between Port Colborne and Welland instituted October 2007. Contracted by the municipality to Welland Transit from 31 March 2008. Connector grouped with other regional routes as Niagara Region Transit from 12 September 2011. (website 2011).

Port Hope, Ontario

City Bus Line (19th Century?)
omnibus Nothing is known about this operation except that it issued [undated] passenger fare tokens. The typical business pattern was common carrier scheduled omnibus service between railway station(s) and local hotels, coordinated with train arrivals and departures. Most such firms also engaged in charter activities, and some also carried mail. (Atwood – Coffee p. 469).

Trenuth's Livery Transfer and Garage (19th Century?)
omnibus Nothing is known about this operation except that it issued [undated] passenger fare tokens. The typical business pattern was common carrier scheduled omnibus service between railway station(s) and local hotels, coordinated with train arrivals and departures. Most such firms also engaged in charter activities, and some also carried mail. (Atwood – Coffee p. 470).

Burley Bus Lines (1948 - 1969)
Town service. Company also operated transit service in Cobourg and intercity routes out of Cobourg, Oshawa, Kitchener and elsewhere. (Ross).

Dermo Transit Lines (1969 - 1974?)
Perera 1973 lists that the Town of Port Hope received transit operating subsidies from the provincial government. Dermo acquired 1974 by Trentway Bus Lines. (Ross, Canadian Coach Vol. IX, No. 3, May/June 1973).

D.J. Travel Transit Limited (1974? - ?)
Transit in Port Hope at least as late as 1979 (Ross). (CUTA 1976-77).

Port Hope Transit 802 [2008 IC LC] (Kevin Nicol 2011 Aug. 20) Port Hope Transit (? - present)
In operation at least since 1981. As of 2010 service comprised of two routes. Route “B” also connects Port Hope to Cobourg. Operated by contractor Trentway-Wagar Inc. (website 2010 including online map dated 2008). (Sotnyk 1981, CUTA 1988, CUTA 1992 "non-member", Chow 1998, photo: Kevin Nicol) (not in CUTA 1991/2 or CUTA 1989)

Vehicle fleet1 minibus
Data source:CTHF/SSG 2000

Reference

United Counties of Prescott and Russell, Ontario

PR Transpo (21 October 2019 - present)
Rural transit serving communities county wide. Service on each route is typically once weekly. Served communities are: Alfred (routes E et I), Bourget (routes G et H), Casselman (routes A, B, C et D), Cheney (route H), Chute-à-Blondeau (route L), Clarence-Creek (routes G et H), Clarence-Rockland (route 17) (routes G et H), Curran (routes F, G et I), Embrun (routes A, B, C et D), Fournier (routes F et I), Lefaivre (route D), Limoges (routes A et C), L'Orignal (routes E et I), Treadwell (route E), Hammond (route H), Hawkesbury (routes E, I, J, K et L), Plantagenet (routes F et I), Rockland (routes F, G et H), Russell (routes A, et B), Ste-Anne-de-Prescott (route K), St-Albert (route B), St-Eugène (routes K et L), St-Isidore (routes D, F et I), Vankleek Hill (routes J, K), and Wendover (route F). Service suspended indefinitely 14 March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (website 2020).

Prescott, Ontario

South Coast Shuttle Inc. (01 September 2018 - present)
Commercial town shuttle service operating daily except Sundays. SCS's principal business is connecting air travellers in eastern Ontario with Ogdensburg airport in the United States. (Brockville Reporter 06 June 2018).

Prince Edward County, Ontario

The city of Prince Edward County is a single-tier municipality formed in 01 January 1998 by the amalgamation of Prince Edward county with the town of Picton, and the townships Ameliasburgh, North Marysburgh, South Marysburgh, and Sophiasburgh. The municipality also includes the communities of Athol, Bloomfield, Hallowell, Hillier, and Wellington (Wikipedia).

City Bus Line (19th Century?)
omnibus Nothing is known about this operation except that it issued [undated] passenger fare tokens for use in Picton. The typical business pattern was common carrier scheduled omnibus service between railway station(s) and local hotels, coordinated with train arrivals and departures. Most such firms also engaged in charter activities, and some also carried mail. (Atwood – Coffee p. 469).

County Transit (25 August 2020 - present)
Operated under contract by Quinte Access. Route serves Picton and Bloomfield and connects to Belleville.

Quinte West, Ontario

City of Quinte West formed 01 January 1998 by amalgamation of the City of Trenton, Village of Frankford and Murray and Sidney Townships.

Ontario Coachway Transit (27 November 2000 - ?)
Service between Frankford, Trenton and Belleville. (CTN 2000). By February 2007 Laidlaw Transit Ltd. was the only local bus service listed on the Quinte West website, with just three round trips daily between Trenton and Belleville (about 20 km), via CFB Trenton and Loyalist College (website, 2007).

Quinte Access [Trenton] Route A (David A. Wyatt 2009 July 13) Quinte Access (15 September 2008 - present)
Pilot local public transit in Trenton. (Trentonian September 2008, February 2009, photo: David A. Wyatt).

Renfrew, Ontario

commuter rail Perhaps it was merely an accident of scheduling but in 1907 the Canadian Pacific Railway Company's daily except Sunday train between Renfrew and Eganville (23 mi./37 km, 73-77 min.) arrived in Renfrew at 8:33am and departed at 7:33pm (CPR 1907). This meets a basic definition of a commuter train (weekdaily, rush-hour scheduling and run time under about 90 minutes). Whether this was to accommodate a workforce for tiny Renfrew from the little communities strung out along the track to Eganville is unknown.
Copyright ©1989-2020 David A. Wyatt. All Rights Reserved.
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The author is always interested in comments, corrections and further information. Please email to:

dawwpg@shaw.ca
This page last modified: Tuesday, 01-Sep-2020 10:48:49 CDT