Midland recently announced some improvements to the Mid-Pen Transit service that are designed to provide more reliable and accessible service to residents.
The town purchased a new bus that’s already in service and also launched a new “Seniors on the Move” pilot project that will province free transit service to Midland seniors.
The new Mid-Pen Transit bus was funded, in part, by the federal and provincial governments through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).
Over the past two years, the town received $604,939 in federal and provincial funding through ICIP, that has been used towards the purchase of two new accessible transit vans in 2020, now operated by Community Reach, and a new Midland transit bus this year to help upgrade the town’s fleet of transit vehicles to provide a more reliable service for all residents.
As for the seniors’ project, the town will offer some free transit rides thanks to funding received in part from the federal government’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.
The $25,000 grant provides complimentary transportation on our buses to those ages 65 and older, including ‘Free Ride Days,’ ride passes and re-loadable transit SmartCards through the project, which will run until March 31.
“We thank the Government of Canada for their support, and our Midland Seniors Council for their dedication in creating this pilot project, which will allow our senior residents to reach their medical appointments, shop, visit family and friends, volunteer in the community, and more without incurring transit costs,” Mayor Stewart Strathearn said in a release.
“The town has implemented many public safety measures to our transit system during the pandemic and we want seniors to feel comfortable and safe accessing services and programs in the community.”
The seniors’ initiative includes two options for Midland seniors, including free transit packages containing six free transit passes that can be picked up at the municipal office, public library, North Simcoe Sports & Recreation Centre, Chigamik Community Health Centre and the North Simcoe Family Health Team.
Free SmartCards preloaded with six free transit rides can be picked up at town hall, the library and rec. centre. SmartCards can also be reloaded at these locations.
In addition, a series of free ride days for Midland Seniors (no passes/SmartCards required) will be held until March 31.
Those receiving the free transit packages or preloaded SmartCards will be asked to provide their name and contact information to allow members of the Midland Seniors Council to follow up with them to evaluate the pilot project.
