JASON SETNYK
Cornwall’s 2026 Mayor’s budget proposes eliminating two Cornwall Transit express routes as a cost-saving measure, a change staff said will reduce peak-frequency service and leave riders waiting longer between buses. Transit staff said the express routes are being eliminated as a cost-saving measure, noting ridership-particularly college-related trips-has declined.
Councillor Carilyne Hébert asked how the routes were selected and what ridership looked like. Transit Manager Jean Marcil said the two express buses carried about 190 rides per day combined, and pointed to broader college-related declines, estimating transit systems tied to post-secondary ridership are down about 8 to 12 per cent across the province. Other “prime locations” included Walmart and Eastcourt Mall.
Marcil said the express service was not about fewer stops, but about adding buses during peak hours to achieve 15-minute service; without it, routes return to roughly 30-minute intervals.
Councillor Dean Hollingsworth questioned why eliminating two operator positions translated to only about $15,000 in savings. Staff responded there would be no net loss of jobs because of retirements and staffing shifts, and said the net figure also reflects adding a permanent mechanic to meet growing demand from the City’s EMS fleet.
Other transit items raised included a 10% drop in conventional ridership in 2025 to about 846,000 rides, with specialized transit steady at roughly 25,000. A fare increase is budgeted for March 1, 2026. This includes $2 more for monthly passes and 10-ride cards, and 25 cents more for family day passes-while provincial gas tax funding is expected to be similar to 2025. The capital plan includes four new low-floor specialized buses and design work for an accessible washroom at the Transit building, and the operating plan assumes savings from hybrid buses. Hybrid buses are pegged at 20% fuel savings.
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