Commuter Connect - Northumberland Regional Transit Services

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Consultation has concluded

__________________________________________________

IMPORTANT ANNCOUNCEMENT: July 3, 2024: 

Northumberland County Council has made the decision to conclude the Commuter Connect pilot service, effective August 2, 2024. This decision follows a comprehensive evaluation of the pilot service, which began in September 2022, connecting Northumberland residents to the Oshawa GO Station.

Council approved an extension of funding until 2026, pending a review of updated trends in June 2024 to confirm financial feasibility. Based on this June review, which noted continued low ridership and a high cost to subsidize the service, it was determined that the operation was no longer sustainable. Discontinuation of the Durham Line, with service to the Oshawa GO station, represents the conclusion of all Commuter Connect pilot transportation services. 

Learn more about the cancellation of services: media release

Northumberland County appreciates the support of riders, the logistics provided by Hop In and the exceptional bus transportation provided by Community Care Northumberland and Eastern Charters.

_________________________________________________________

Commuter Connect is up and rolling, connecting the communities of Northumberland with each other and, through a partnership with Metrolinx, with GO Transit services in Oshawa. 

Commuter Connect is increasing flexibility and choice for Northumberland residents seeking options to get to work, school, medical appointments, and social engagements.

This Monday-to-Friday service is being launched as a one-year pilot to assess need and opportunity for increased transit options for local commuters. Bus routes and times have been established based on over 1,100 responses to a recent community survey. Thank you, Northumberland residents, for your participation in helping identify what type of service would best fit your transportation needs!

Sign up today!

To book a ride or view routes and schedules please visit commuterconnect.ca and sign up to become a Commuter Connect rider!

Understanding transportation needs in Northumberland

This pilot service, which went into effect September 13, is expected to run for one year, during which time Northumberland County and partners will collect and evaluate ridership data and emerging needs. Some of the information that will be assessed:

  • Local travel behaviours 
  • How residents prefer to connect within the county and with wider transportation networks
  • Transportation barriers and gaps 
  • How best to deliver value to residents related to community transportation

This ongoing data collection will help inform future decisions around required services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the partners in this pilot project?

Commuter Connect is a service provided by Northumberland County, in partnership with Metrolinx and Hop In Technologies.

The County has partnered with Hop In Technologies, a transportation logistics provider, to coordinate this convenient weekday bus service. In addition to operating the online portal for ticket purchases, Hop In has contracted Community Care Northumberland to provide bus services within Northumberland, while Eastern Charters will deliver the Durham route, taking passengers directly to the Oshawa GO and back again to Northumberland.

Metrolinx is supporting connecting riders to the Oshawa GO station.

What data do you have to suggest that something like this is needed? 

Our community is growing. By 2051, 122,000 people will call Northumberland home. And as we grow, developing the infrastructure needed to enhance connections between our communities - along with neighbouring regional transit systems – is vital.

Strengthening these connections is a key priority identified in Northumberland County’s Transportation Master Plan, which is based on extensive research.

In addition, our summer 2022 ridership survey identified demand for:

  • Local intermunicipal transit services, particularly from seniors in Trent Hills and Brighton;
  • Weekday services that support those commuting to work;
  • A service with early start times; and
  • Connection to the GO Transit network

How is this shuttle service funded – is it fully supported by ridership?

In addition to revenue from ridership, this service will be delivered based on investment of up to $250,000 set aside by Northumberland County in our 2022 County Budget for transit initiatives, along with initial funding of $50,000 from Metrolinx, on behalf of the Province.

The County is expecting that a combination of demand for the service and the pricing structure will result in a self-sustaining initiative overtime beyond the pilot phase.

How can I view the bus routes and times?

To learn more about this service, including routes and schedules, please visit commuterconnects.ca.

Riders can also contact Hop In Technologies customer service for more information:

Please note: Emails will be responded to during regular business hours, Monday to Friday. Our response times are based on volume of inquiries; however we do strive to respond within one hour of receiving your message.

Do I need to sign up? How do I purchase my tickets?

All riders need to register for an account at commuterconnects.ca in order to use the Commuter Connect Service. Following initial registration and purchase of Rider Credits, you will be able to start using the Commuter Connect service within 24-48 hours. Please note, registration confirmation can take up to 48 hours prior to riders access to the service.

Once signed up, users can access a payment portal to purchase Rider Credits (tickets). One Rider Credit is equal to a single one-way trip.

Credits will be emailed directly to the user to present to the bus driver when boarding the bus. All riders must present personal identification when boarding the bus.

How much is the cost to use the service?

Within Northumberland, rates for travel with Commuter Connect are either $3 (same municipality) or $9 dollars (for travelling amongst Northumberland communities), one way.

Separately, the rate for one-way travel between Northumberland and the Oshawa GO is $13.

What are bulk rides and Rider Credits? How are they used?

Bulk Rides (available in batches of 10 or 20 credits) enable riders to buy multiple trips at once, with gradually increasing discounts for each level.

At the Unlimited Monthly Rider Credits level, a rider can ride as many times as they choose, for one month. Unlimited is the only type of credit that is not transferable month to month.

I don’t have access to online sign-up, how can I purchase tickets to use the service?

In addition to the online purchase option, Rider Credits can be purchased in-person at all three Community Care Northumberland locations:

  • Brighton: 46 Prince Edward Street (Phone: 613-475-4190)
  • Campbellford: 174 Oliver Road (Phone: 705-653-1411)
  • Cobourg: 1158 Division Street (Phone: 905-372-7356)

Will there be an accessible shuttle for people who need accommodations (e.g. wheelchairs)?

Yes, accessible vehicles are available. When registering for the Commuter Connect service, riders can identify whether they will require accessible transit.

__________________________________________________

IMPORTANT ANNCOUNCEMENT: July 3, 2024: 

Northumberland County Council has made the decision to conclude the Commuter Connect pilot service, effective August 2, 2024. This decision follows a comprehensive evaluation of the pilot service, which began in September 2022, connecting Northumberland residents to the Oshawa GO Station.

Council approved an extension of funding until 2026, pending a review of updated trends in June 2024 to confirm financial feasibility. Based on this June review, which noted continued low ridership and a high cost to subsidize the service, it was determined that the operation was no longer sustainable. Discontinuation of the Durham Line, with service to the Oshawa GO station, represents the conclusion of all Commuter Connect pilot transportation services. 

Learn more about the cancellation of services: media release

Northumberland County appreciates the support of riders, the logistics provided by Hop In and the exceptional bus transportation provided by Community Care Northumberland and Eastern Charters.

_________________________________________________________

Commuter Connect is up and rolling, connecting the communities of Northumberland with each other and, through a partnership with Metrolinx, with GO Transit services in Oshawa. 

Commuter Connect is increasing flexibility and choice for Northumberland residents seeking options to get to work, school, medical appointments, and social engagements.

This Monday-to-Friday service is being launched as a one-year pilot to assess need and opportunity for increased transit options for local commuters. Bus routes and times have been established based on over 1,100 responses to a recent community survey. Thank you, Northumberland residents, for your participation in helping identify what type of service would best fit your transportation needs!

Sign up today!

To book a ride or view routes and schedules please visit commuterconnect.ca and sign up to become a Commuter Connect rider!

Understanding transportation needs in Northumberland

This pilot service, which went into effect September 13, is expected to run for one year, during which time Northumberland County and partners will collect and evaluate ridership data and emerging needs. Some of the information that will be assessed:

  • Local travel behaviours 
  • How residents prefer to connect within the county and with wider transportation networks
  • Transportation barriers and gaps 
  • How best to deliver value to residents related to community transportation

This ongoing data collection will help inform future decisions around required services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the partners in this pilot project?

Commuter Connect is a service provided by Northumberland County, in partnership with Metrolinx and Hop In Technologies.

The County has partnered with Hop In Technologies, a transportation logistics provider, to coordinate this convenient weekday bus service. In addition to operating the online portal for ticket purchases, Hop In has contracted Community Care Northumberland to provide bus services within Northumberland, while Eastern Charters will deliver the Durham route, taking passengers directly to the Oshawa GO and back again to Northumberland.

Metrolinx is supporting connecting riders to the Oshawa GO station.

What data do you have to suggest that something like this is needed? 

Our community is growing. By 2051, 122,000 people will call Northumberland home. And as we grow, developing the infrastructure needed to enhance connections between our communities - along with neighbouring regional transit systems – is vital.

Strengthening these connections is a key priority identified in Northumberland County’s Transportation Master Plan, which is based on extensive research.

In addition, our summer 2022 ridership survey identified demand for:

  • Local intermunicipal transit services, particularly from seniors in Trent Hills and Brighton;
  • Weekday services that support those commuting to work;
  • A service with early start times; and
  • Connection to the GO Transit network

How is this shuttle service funded – is it fully supported by ridership?

In addition to revenue from ridership, this service will be delivered based on investment of up to $250,000 set aside by Northumberland County in our 2022 County Budget for transit initiatives, along with initial funding of $50,000 from Metrolinx, on behalf of the Province.

The County is expecting that a combination of demand for the service and the pricing structure will result in a self-sustaining initiative overtime beyond the pilot phase.

How can I view the bus routes and times?

To learn more about this service, including routes and schedules, please visit commuterconnects.ca.

Riders can also contact Hop In Technologies customer service for more information:

Please note: Emails will be responded to during regular business hours, Monday to Friday. Our response times are based on volume of inquiries; however we do strive to respond within one hour of receiving your message.

Do I need to sign up? How do I purchase my tickets?

All riders need to register for an account at commuterconnects.ca in order to use the Commuter Connect Service. Following initial registration and purchase of Rider Credits, you will be able to start using the Commuter Connect service within 24-48 hours. Please note, registration confirmation can take up to 48 hours prior to riders access to the service.

Once signed up, users can access a payment portal to purchase Rider Credits (tickets). One Rider Credit is equal to a single one-way trip.

Credits will be emailed directly to the user to present to the bus driver when boarding the bus. All riders must present personal identification when boarding the bus.

How much is the cost to use the service?

Within Northumberland, rates for travel with Commuter Connect are either $3 (same municipality) or $9 dollars (for travelling amongst Northumberland communities), one way.

Separately, the rate for one-way travel between Northumberland and the Oshawa GO is $13.

What are bulk rides and Rider Credits? How are they used?

Bulk Rides (available in batches of 10 or 20 credits) enable riders to buy multiple trips at once, with gradually increasing discounts for each level.

At the Unlimited Monthly Rider Credits level, a rider can ride as many times as they choose, for one month. Unlimited is the only type of credit that is not transferable month to month.

I don’t have access to online sign-up, how can I purchase tickets to use the service?

In addition to the online purchase option, Rider Credits can be purchased in-person at all three Community Care Northumberland locations:

  • Brighton: 46 Prince Edward Street (Phone: 613-475-4190)
  • Campbellford: 174 Oliver Road (Phone: 705-653-1411)
  • Cobourg: 1158 Division Street (Phone: 905-372-7356)

Will there be an accessible shuttle for people who need accommodations (e.g. wheelchairs)?

Yes, accessible vehicles are available. When registering for the Commuter Connect service, riders can identify whether they will require accessible transit.