Greyhound may cut core bus service with move to Sportsworld Drive
May 08, 2008
Jeff Outhit
RECORD STAFF
KITCHENER
Greyhound may reduce bus service from the downtown transit terminal when the company relocates to Sportsworld Drive in July.
The prospect bothers Brenda MacKenzie, who commutes to Toronto on Greyhound. She considers the Sportsworld site less convenient for intercity commuters. Unlike the Charles Street terminal, Sportsworld has just one transit link.
"To get out there, especially early in the morning, is a real pain," she said. "They seem to make an awful lot of decisions without considering the people who kind of keep them alive."
Greyhound will stop selling tickets at Charles Street after July 20 but says it hopes to continue collecting passengers downtown even after relocating its terminal.
This depends on upcoming negotiations with Grand River Transit.
"If we can continue on with a strong presence at the downtown terminal, we may have the best of both worlds for our commuters," said Randy Padley, director of passenger services for Greyhound in eastern Canada.
Greyhound contends moving to Sportsworld will boost ridership by providing free parking that commuters crave. Proximity to Highway 401 should also improve schedule reliability, Padley said.
Greyhound will use a temporary terminal until a new building is completed on the land where Sportsworld is being redeveloped.
A Grand River Transit bus stops at Sportsworld every 30 minutes. The transit service may consider upgrading this connection, transit director Eric Gillespie said.
Padley said Greyhound is also seeking a better Cambridge terminal, to provide more parking and waiting room.
Greyhound's relocation from Charles Street affects up to six transit employees who are paid to provide Greyhound services. Gillespie could not say if their jobs are lost.
"We're still trying to determine what the impact will be," he said.
jouthit@therecord.com