THUNDER BAY — The longest route in the Thunder Bay Transit network has now become three separate routes.
Transit split up the Mainline route, a 44-kilometre round trip, effective May 19, citing the need for operational efficiencies and to address driver shortage issues.
Route 1 Mainline now operates only between the waterfront terminal and the city hall terminal.
The section from the waterfront terminal to Current River is now Route 17 Current River, while the section from city hall to Westfort is renamed Route 18 Westfort.
A recent report submitted to city council showed the Mainline route ranked as the seventh busiest route overall, but most boardings occurred at stops between the two terminals.
By itself, the mid-portion of the route had the second-highest boardings per hour, while the Current River and Westfort sections individually dropped to 14th and 12th place respectively.
"Breaking up this route will help with operational management . . . particularly during rush hours where traffic can create on-time performance issues," the report stated.
It said separating the Mainline into three routes would reduce the impact of unplanned service cancellations currently being experienced due to operator staffing shortages, particularly during the summer vacation period.
The change to three routes means the number of buses required to maintain peak service times along the entire former Mainline route has been reduced from five to four.
Brad Loroff, manager of Thunder Bay Transit, told TBnewswatch in a statement Monday: "We understand the impact such changes may have on some customers such as having to now transfer buses."
The wait between buses on the Current River-to-waterfront route is now 45 minutes instead of 30 minutes.
Loroff added that "route and schedule changes are made based on rider data, route efficiency and available resources."
Transit reviews its schedules, service levels and rider feedback every three months, and makes adjustments from time to time.
Another route change is also in effect now, with the Route 4-Neebing Saturday service discontinued after May 18, as approved in the city's 2024 budget.
The route continues to operate Monday through Friday, with evening service provided on an on-demand basis.
Details of Thunder Bay Transit's route schedule are available online.
