New city transit hub ready for use starting next month

The northern transfer point, a transit hub located near Second Line and Great Northern and Sault College, will be available for use starting May 3.

A news release issued by the City of Sault Ste. Marie states that the benefits of the northern transfer point include increased access for students, more frequent service with five routes instead of two, and direct service without customers having to transfer downtown.

Full text of the news release follows:

Sault Ste. Marie Transit Services would like to inform its customers that the northern transfer point located in front of Sault College is nearing completion. Passengers can begin utilizing the transfer beginning Monday, May 3, 2021 at 6 a.m. 

With the addition of the northern transfer point, Transit Services continues to implement the recommended changes resulting from the route optimization plan,” said Brent Lamming, director, Community Services. “The northern transfer point is a critical piece to improving the user experience. We thank Sault College for their willingness to see the value in this addition to their campus.”

Transit Consulting Network was retained in 2017 to undertake a comprehensive operational review of conventional transit services. The study recommended establishing a central northern transit mobility hub in proximity to Second Line and Great Northern and Sault College area. The northern transfer point will provide many benefits to improve service delivery such as increased access for students, provide more frequent service with five routes instead of two and direct service without customers having to transfer downtown thus reducing travel times and providing service to more destinations.

The ultimate goal and challenge is to provide a transit service plan for the City of Sault Ste. Marie that meets community needs and priorities in a fiscally responsible manner,” adds Lamming. “We feel as though the addition of this transfer point will help us accomplish this goal.”

Throughout the route optimization process there was unprecedented public consultation including eight transit focus groups, eight public open houses, three online surveys, over 1,200 responses to surveys and over 900 comments.

To view bus routes and schedules including the new Northern transfer point, visit the city’s website.