Owen Sound Asks Province for GOST Bus Extension As Rural Transit Funding Ends
The City of Owen Sound is seeking the province’s approval to extend the GOST bus service beyond its March 31 funding deadline, using unspent grant funds to support continued intercommunity transit.
The City of Owen Sound is working to extend the Guelph Owen Sound Transportation (GOST) bus service beyond its current funding deadline, as provincial support for rural transit in the region declines.
GOST, an intercommunity bus service connecting Owen Sound to Guelph with stops in Chatsworth, Williamsford, Durham, Mount Forest, Arthur, Fergus, and Elora, has operated under Ontario’s Community Transportation Grant Program.
The program’s funding was set to expire on March 31, 2025, but Owen Sound has not fully spent its allocated funds and has generated more fare revenue than anticipated. The city is now seeking an amendment to the funding agreement to allow it to use the remaining funds beyond the deadline, potentially extending the service for up to a year.
Awaiting Provincial Approval
The City of Owen Sound has formally requested approval from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to extend GOST service and is awaiting confirmation. In a statement, officials said an update would be provided to regional partners and riders as soon as possible.
Owen Sound was initially awarded $1.92 million through the grant program to support the development of intercommunity transit. The service has grown steadily, with over 12,000 unique rides in 2024, particularly peaking during the summer months.
Transit Cuts and Funding Challenges
The request to extend GOST comes at a time when rural transit services in Grey County are being significantly reduced due to provincial funding cuts. Grey County announced last week that on March 31, 2025, three Grey Transit Route (GTR) bus lines will cease operation, including the Owen Sound to Dundalk route along Highways 6 and 10 and the Owen Sound to The Blue Mountains route along Highway 26.
The decision to end these routes follows the expiration of Ontario's Community Transportation Program, which had supported 38 underserved regions with $2.77 million in funding over the program’s lifespan. In 2024 alone, GTR services provided 30,960 total rides, with the Owen Sound to Dundalk route serving 10,109 riders.
For now, the Dundalk to Orangeville GTR route will continue, as it is partially funded by Dufferin County. Grey County has committed to providing at least 30 days’ notice before making any further changes to this remaining service.
The cuts to GTR routes highlight ongoing challenges in rural transportation funding as local governments seek new solutions to maintain connectivity for residents who rely on public transit. Grey County officials have indicated they are exploring municipal partnerships and alternative funding sources to support rural transit in the future.
In the meantime, Owen Sound’s efforts to extend GOST could provide a temporary transit alternative for some regional riders. Whether the province will approve the city's request remains to be seen.