City tests new transit express route

Transit riders in the city have a faster way to get across town, starting Monday. Thunder Bay Transit will pilot a new express bus that runs between the city hall and Water Street terminals, with stops at Intercity Mall and Wal-Mart.

Resident Ruth Iserhoff said she will try it out. She takes the bus on a regular basis.

"The Mainline's like, one of the longest bus routes," she said.

"I live on one side of town and, if I have to get to the other side of town, it takes me almost an hour ..."

Thunder Bay Transit spokesperson Jon Hendel said transit is also considering express routes for other stretches in the city and noted that amaster planwill be presented to city council in March.

"The north and the south because two of the major transfer points, being the college and the university will definitely be beneficial," Hendel said.

"[It is] something being looked at in the transit master plan study."

The city of Kenora is doing the same. The transit system there will start two express routes in January.