Common Voice Northwest 
Welcomes Bus Service to the Northwest

#LSN_Econ 

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO  -  December 2, 2017  ----  (LSN)  In 2015 Common Voice Northwest published a policy paper entitled The Future of Inter-Community Bus Service in Northwestern Ontario. That paper called on the Province of Ontario to institute and fund a plan to connect all of the communities in the Northwest using existing carriers.

Task Force Chair, Gary Woodbeck said that he is extremely pleased with Friday’s announcement.  “Not only has the Government followed our recommendations as to which communities should be served but they have also agreed with us that existing carriers should be partners in the endeavour to transport the residents of the Northwest. This announcement is a great example of how a small group of knowledgeable individuals can come together, do comprehensive research into a regional issue, offer a solution to government then see it come to fruition” he observed.

The one concern that the Task Force has is that the issue of the ticket price for each passenger has not been resolved. “It is essential that the ticket price, regardless of the distance to be travelled, must be low enough to ensure the maximum number of users” said Woodbeck “otherwise people will find other ways to travel, stay home or unfortunately move to one of the larger communities to access the services they need.

“This is a great day for Northwestern Ontario” concluded Woodbeck “and our thanks go out to Minister Gravelle, Mauro and Del Duca for listening to the needs of this region.”

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