Province Announces $9.5 Million for Regional Transit in Grey, Bruce, and Dufferin Counties
As Owen Sound loses key bus connections, new one-time funding aims to build regional coordination
The Ontario government has committed $9.495 million in one-time regional transit funding to Grey, Bruce, and Dufferin counties through the Ontario Transit Investment Fund (OTIF).
The announcement comes just two months after most Grey Transit Route (GTR) bus services, including direct connections from Owen Sound to Dundalk and The Blue Mountains, ended due to the expiry of previous provincial funding.
The new funding will support continued service on Route 2 between Dundalk and Orangeville and assist in integrating existing transit systems into a coordinated regional network.
Specific service details and their potential impact on communities, such as Owen Sound, are still to be confirmed by local partners.
Key Routes Cut March 31
On March 31, 2025, Grey County discontinued GTR Routes 1, 3, and 4, citing the end of funding under the Ontario Community Transportation Program. Among the cancelled routes was Route 1, connecting Owen Sound and Dundalk, which served over 10,000 rides in 2024.
The Owen Sound–Blue Mountains route was also discontinued. Only Route 2, between Dundalk and Orangeville, remains active for now, supported in part by Dufferin County and still averaging significant ridership.
In total, GTR provided 30,960 rides in 2024. The province previously contributed $2.77 million to the GTR system over its five-year lifespan. See more:
New Funding, Different Program
The newly announced OTIF allocation is distinct from prior transit programs. Unlike ongoing provincial supports such as the Ontario Gas Tax program, OTIF is an application-based, time-limited initiative intended to help launch or expand services in areas with limited transit options. Funding covers up to 50% of eligible project costs over a maximum of five years.
As part of the broader $15 million provincial commitment to rural transit, the $9.5 million directed to Grey, Bruce, and Dufferin counties aims to support coordinated planning and sustainable service models, though it remains unclear if discontinued routes such as those serving Owen Sound will be restored.
Owen Sound Receives Separate Transit Support
Separately, the City of Owen Sound received $245,919 through the 2025 Provincial Gas Tax program, which supports existing local transit operations. This ongoing funding helps maintain in-city service but is not tied to the intercommunity or regional routes affected by recent cuts.
Further updates on regional transit planning and Owen Sound’s role in the newly funded initiatives are expected in the coming months as municipal and county partners finalize project details.