News   Dec 20, 2024
 3.4K     11 
News   Dec 20, 2024
 1.2K     3 
News   Dec 20, 2024
 2K     0 

Intercity Bus Services

That bus terminal far away from downtown in the middle of nowhere, without easy transit access wasn't any good.

Terry Fox is a much better location.

You mean the Central Station? Yeah, it was especially crappy for a downtown-ish terminal. It's only advantage was it was next to the 417. The only time I took a bus into Ottawa (a Northland coach from Pembroke), it got in around 11pm, in the rain, and yet the best option was walking to my downtown hotel.
 
You mean the Central Station? Yeah, it was especially crappy for a downtown-ish terminal. It's only advantage was it was next to the 417. The only time I took a bus into Ottawa (a Northland coach from Pembroke), it got in around 11pm, in the rain, and yet the best option was walking to my downtown hotel.
Ouch. Back in the day, Voyageur used to drop people near the transitway, or even downtown, before going to the terminal. Which is why I took the bus to Ottawa much more than taking the bus from Ottawa.
 
Full listing of Ottawa's main intercity hubs

Tremblay/VIA Station
- Via Rail to Toronto via Kingston
- Via Rail to Montréal via Dorval
- Red Arrow to Toronto via Kingston
- Orléans Expess to Montréal via Dorval Airport
- KLM to Dorval Airport
- Air France to Dorval Airport
- Ontario Northland to Winnipeg via North Bay and Sudbury
OC Transpo connection: O-Train Line 1

Departure board from April (caution: schedules have changed since then)
Capture.PNG


St. Laurent Station
- Megabus to Toronto via Kingston
- Rider Express to Toronto via Peterborough or Kingston
- Autobus Maheux to Montréal via Gatineau and Laval
OC Transpo connections: lots of local buses, and O-Train Line 1

Departure board from April (caution: schedules have changed since then)
Capture1.PNG


Byward Market (on-street stop near Rideau station)
- Flixbus to Toronto via Kingston or Peterborough
- Book a Ride to Toronto via Kingston or Peterobrough
OC Transpo connections: O-Train line 1 and lots of east-west local buses

Downtown (on-street stop )
- Autobus Maheux to Montréal via Gatineau and Laval
- Autobus Maheux to Grand-Remous via Gatineau
OC Transpo connections: no idea because their website is garbage and I can't figure out where the bus stops

At first glance it seems ridiculous that there are so many different intercity bus stations but most of the services are running the same two corridors (Toronto-Ottawa or Toronto-Montréal) so there's little reason to transfer from one to the other. Having multiple central termini arguably improves intercity bus service by offering direct services to multiple different parts of central Ottawa.

The two routes where passengers might transfer to other buses are Ontario Northland to Sudbury/North Bay, and Autobus Maheux to Grand-Remous. Ontario Northland stops at Tremblay VIA station so there are decent onward connections to Montréal or Toronto via VIA, Orléans Express, Red Arrow, KLM and Air France. Autobus Maheux is the main one which could do better, especially since their Grand-Remous bus doesn't continue to St. Laurent terminal or Tremblay. But maybe that's a deliberate decision and they want Montréal-bound passenger to connect to their own Montréal service in Gatineau rather than connecting to Orléans Express or VIA Rail.
 
Last edited:
Full listing of Ottawa's main intercity hubs

Tremblay/VIA Station
- Via Rail to Toronto via Kingston
- Via Rail to Montréal via Dorval
- Red Arrow to Toronto via Kingston
- Orléans Expess to Montréal via Dorval Airport
- KLM to Dorval Airport
- Air France to Dorval Airport
- Ontario Northland to Winnipeg via North Bay and Sudbury
OC Transpo connection: O-Train Line 1

Departure board from April (caution: schedules have changed since then)
View attachment 508862

St. Laurent Station
- Megabus to Toronto via Kingston
- Rider Express to Toronto via Peterborough or Kingston
- Autobus Maheux to Montréal via Gatineau and Laval
OC Transpo connections: lots of local buses, and O-Train Line 1

Departure board from April (caution: schedules have changed since then)
View attachment 508863

Byward Market (on-street stop near Rideau station)
- Flixbus to Toronto via Kingston or Peterborough
- Book a Ride to Toronto via Kingston or Peterobrough
OC Transpo connections: O-Train line 1 and lots of east-west local buses

Downtown (on-street stop )
- Autobus Maheux to Montréal via Gatineau and Laval
- Autobus Maheux to Grand-Remous via Gatineau
OC Transpo connections: no idea because their website is garbage and I can't figure out where the bus stops

At first glance it seems ridiculous that there are so many different intercity bus stations but most of the services are running the same two corridors (Toronto-Ottawa or Toronto-Montréal) so there's little reason to transfer from one to the other. Having multiple central termini arguably improves intercity bus service by offering direct services to multiple different parts of central Ottawa.

The two routes where passengers might transfer to other buses are Ontario Northland to Sudbury/North Bay, and Autobus Maheux to Grand-Remous. Ontario Northland stops at Tremblay VIA station so there are decent onward connections to Montréal or Toronto via VIA, Orléans Express, Red Arrow, KLM and Air France. Autobus Maheux is the main one which could do better, especially since their Grand-Remous bus doesn't continue to St. Laurent terminal or Tremblay. But maybe that's a deliberate decision and they want Montréal-bound passenger to connect to their own Montréal service in Gatineau rather than connecting to Orléans Express or VIA Rail.
KLM and Air France are airlines... are they operating bus service to meet with their flights out of Montreal?!?
 
KLM and Air France are airlines... are they operating bus service to meet with their flights out of Montreal?!?
Yes. The KLM bus is timed for the flight to Schiphol and the Air France bus is timed for the flight to Charles de Gaulle.

IMG_20230722_143712981_HDR.jpg
 
Last edited:
Intresting does it work like the buses that Amrican Airlines uses whe you baord froma gate at the airport like you wpuld for a plane?

No. And please proofread before posting.
 
Last edited:
Full listing of Ottawa's main intercity hubs

Tremblay/VIA Station
- Via Rail to Toronto via Kingston
- Via Rail to Montréal via Dorval
- Red Arrow to Toronto via Kingston
- Orléans Expess to Montréal via Dorval Airport
- KLM to Dorval Airport
- Air France to Dorval Airport
- Ontario Northland to Winnipeg via North Bay and Sudbury
OC Transpo connection: O-Train Line 1

Departure board from April (caution: schedules have changed since then)
View attachment 508862

St. Laurent Station
- Megabus to Toronto via Kingston
- Rider Express to Toronto via Peterborough or Kingston
- Autobus Maheux to Montréal via Gatineau and Laval
OC Transpo connections: lots of local buses, and O-Train Line 1

Departure board from April (caution: schedules have changed since then)
View attachment 508863

Byward Market (on-street stop near Rideau station)
- Flixbus to Toronto via Kingston or Peterborough
- Book a Ride to Toronto via Kingston or Peterobrough
OC Transpo connections: O-Train line 1 and lots of east-west local buses

Downtown (on-street stop )
- Autobus Maheux to Montréal via Gatineau and Laval
- Autobus Maheux to Grand-Remous via Gatineau
OC Transpo connections: no idea because their website is garbage and I can't figure out where the bus stops

At first glance it seems ridiculous that there are so many different intercity bus stations but most of the services are running the same two corridors (Toronto-Ottawa or Toronto-Montréal) so there's little reason to transfer from one to the other. Having multiple central termini arguably improves intercity bus service by offering direct services to multiple different parts of central Ottawa.

The two routes where passengers might transfer to other buses are Ontario Northland to Sudbury/North Bay, and Autobus Maheux to Grand-Remous. Ontario Northland stops at Tremblay VIA station so there are decent onward connections to Montréal or Toronto via VIA, Orléans Express, Red Arrow, KLM and Air France. Autobus Maheux is the main one which could do better, especially since their Grand-Remous bus doesn't continue to St. Laurent terminal or Tremblay. But maybe that's a deliberate decision and they want Montréal-bound passenger to connect to their own Montréal service in Gatineau rather than connecting to Orléans Express or VIA Rail.
The Ottawa VIA station needs to transfer one of the parking lots (I suggest the west lot) into a true canopy intercity bus terminal with bays an an indoor heated connection to the LRT and the main station. It’s so close to becoming a true intermodal hub.
 
The Ottawa VIA station needs to transfer one of the parking lots (I suggest the west lot) into a true canopy intercity bus terminal with bays an an indoor heated connection to the LRT and the main station. It’s so close to becoming a true intermodal hub.
The connection to the LRT is not that bad.

They could extend the existing canopy and create more space for buses.
 
From TOK Coachlines (formerly Can-ar Coach):

November 6th, 2023

Dear Valued Customers,

It is with regret that we wish to inform you of an important decision concerning our services.

After 34 dedicated years of serving the Haliburton, Kawartha, and Durham regions, we regret to announce that we will be Discontinuing the Haliburton to Toronto line-run effective January 31st, 2024.

For those who have already purchased tickets, you have the option to use them before the aforementioned date, or if preferable, you can request a full refund by February 29th, 2024.

  • Tickets purchased online, please request via email with your ticket number, contact name and phone number to info@tokcoachlines.com
  • Paper tickets purchased from ticket agents, please send original to TOK Coachlines, 221 Caldari Road, Concord, ON L4K 3Z9
  • Valid tickets purchased by November 6th, 2023 will be honoured for a full refund
Despite our unwavering commitment to servicing customers in this region, it has become increasingly difficult to maintain exceptional standards in service given the rising operating costs combined with the ongoing province-wide driver shortage, this difficult decision became inevitable.

Serving the wonderful communities of Haliburton, Kawartha, and Durham has truly been an honour. We deeply appreciate the trust and loyalty you have shown us throughout the years. Your continued patronage has been the backbone of our operations, and for that, we are immensely grateful.

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your journey.

Warm regards,

TOK Coachlines
 
From TOK Coachlines (formerly Can-ar Coach):

November 6th, 2023

Dear Valued Customers,

It is with regret that we wish to inform you of an important decision concerning our services.

After 34 dedicated years of serving the Haliburton, Kawartha, and Durham regions, we regret to announce that we will be Discontinuing the Haliburton to Toronto line-run effective January 31st, 2024.

For those who have already purchased tickets, you have the option to use them before the aforementioned date, or if preferable, you can request a full refund by February 29th, 2024.

  • Tickets purchased online, please request via email with your ticket number, contact name and phone number to info@tokcoachlines.com
  • Paper tickets purchased from ticket agents, please send original to TOK Coachlines, 221 Caldari Road, Concord, ON L4K 3Z9
  • Valid tickets purchased by November 6th, 2023 will be honoured for a full refund
Despite our unwavering commitment to servicing customers in this region, it has become increasingly difficult to maintain exceptional standards in service given the rising operating costs combined with the ongoing province-wide driver shortage, this difficult decision became inevitable.

Serving the wonderful communities of Haliburton, Kawartha, and Durham has truly been an honour. We deeply appreciate the trust and loyalty you have shown us throughout the years. Your continued patronage has been the backbone of our operations, and for that, we are immensely grateful.

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your journey.

Warm regards,

TOK Coachlines
If I'm not mistaken they were using drivers who live in the Kawartha's and if those drivers are retired then it would be difficult to maintain the route. I guess the ridership didn't justify continuing the route.

GO transit could serve Lindsay but north of there would be a stretch. We really need a provincially funded system to allow for municipalities to fund regional bus service to their communities. Like some kind of government agency that overseas this and has a mandate to provide services to the communities in the province. OH wait we have that, it's called Metrolinx.
 
If I'm not mistaken they were using drivers who live in the Kawartha's and if those drivers are retired then it would be difficult to maintain the route. I guess the ridership didn't justify continuing the route.

GO transit could serve Lindsay but north of there would be a stretch. We really need a provincially funded system to allow for municipalities to fund regional bus service to their communities. Like some kind of government agency that overseas this and has a mandate to provide services to the communities in the province. OH wait we have that, it's called Metrolinx.

Kawartha Lakes could at least theoretically operate a bus between the GO Transit service on 35/115 to Lindsay and maybe as far as Fenelon Falls. It has a basic local transit service in Lindsay itself but that’s about it.
 
Kawartha Lakes could at least theoretically operate a bus between the GO Transit service on 35/115 to Lindsay and maybe as far as Fenelon Falls. It has a basic local transit service in Lindsay itself but that’s about it.
Which doesn't help the denizens of Haliburton, or most of the rest of the 'city'. They are both geographically large and density small.
 

Back
Top