Selwyn resident Carol Ann Clark is urging council to reconsider the future of the Link transportation project.
The Link has been operating since 2021 as a pilot project funded by the Provincial Community Transportation Grant which provided $2.36 million which has allowed Selwyn to build and create a reliable, affordable, and accessible rural transportation system that serves Selwyn and Curve Lake First Nation.
The routes during the pilot project served Lakefield and Curve Lake (route 31) as well as a route that served Bridgenorth and Ennismore (route 32). It was recommended during the service delivery review earlier this year that should the Link continue past the pilot end date, which is April 2026, that service to Ennismore should cease as it is the least utilizes service area.
The funding for this project will run out this year and so Selwyn Counil has agreed to discuss the possibility of funding the service through taxation next year.
They would be looking at moving forward with a modified version of the current routes that would offer more service to the highest ridership portion of the route (Woodland Acres and Lakefield) as well as serving Curve Lake First Nation and Bridgenorth. This would essentially eliminate service to Ennismore.
No decisions have been made yet on the future of the Link. It will be discussed and decided through budget deliberations.
However, Clark did give a presentation to council requesting they not only keep Ennismore in as part of the Link route but also extend the route and frequency of trips the bus makes.
She took it upon herself to conduct her own survey for the Link services which provided both positive and negative perspectives from residents and businesses owners in and around Ennismore.
In Clark’s data that she presented to council, she stated that Statistics taken between January-September 2025 show the combined routes experience an average of 1,337 boardings per month, and boast 12,029 total boardings to date (from January-September 2025). Route 32 Ennismore accounts for 39 per cent (4,729) of total boardings, while 31 Curve Lake has 61 per cent (7,300) total boardings. In 2024, there were 23,888 total boardings, 31 Curve Lake having 58 per cent (13,856) and 32 Ennismore with 42 per cent (10,032). This made up an average of 1,991 boardings per month.
Clark stated, “Over the past six years, The Link Rural Bus Service has proven very useful for many individuals and local businesses in the township of Selwyn. Although the usefulness has gone unobserved by the majority and has been dubbed as “the ghost bus” by some, it has helped residents on their commutes to Peterborough, Bridgenorth, Curve Lake, and Lakefield, providing access for individuals such as students, who are ill-equipped and lack transportation. The Link provides a safe and affordable alternative for both young and old, and has great potential to become a major asset to keeping the communities of Ennismore, Bridgenorth, Lakefield, and Curve Lake connected to Peterborough and the surrounding areas. In this paper, I am arguing on behalf of the residents and businesses in Ennismore and Bridgenorth to ensure our community is kept in connection to the rest of our township, particularly Ennismore.”
As mentioned in my observations, there are pedestrians walking lengthy distances on the shoulder of Robinson Rd. who are at risk of being injured by an impaired/reckless driver. One resident in particular endures the two hour walk from Windward Sands due to car troubles to access the Variety store in Youngstown. Individuals in such circumstances would greatly benefit from having transportation, as it is a public safety concern. In addition, the bus continuing to travel across the causeway provides a convenient and reliable alternative to driving, and has potential to cut emissions from causeway traffic for the health of our lake.
