Huntsville’s Ontario Northlander bus stop is moving.
Town council voted Monday to move the stop, which is currently located by the OPP station on Ravenscliffe Rd., to Station Rd. at Main St. in front of the train station, as of Nov. 5.
Tarmo Uukkivi, Huntsville’s Director of Operations and Protective Services, told council the current stop is on town land, but the owner of an adjacent property is not pleased with the volume of bus-related traffic on their lot.
“There have also been a number of public concerns raised about the location of that stop in terms of accessibility, lighting, lack of shelter, many different concerns,” said Uukkivi, adding that the new location has a sizeable paved shoulder separated from the roadway by a solid white line. “For the moment, it seems like a reasonable solution. It could be scaled up if necessary.”
Ahead of the change, Uukkivi said signs will be installed at the current stop to inform people of the new location. Notices will also be posted on the town’s website, as well as Ontario Northland’s. He added that since the new stop is too far away from the old, the bus will not be stopping at both during the transition period.
According to Uukkivi, the new location is on District of Muskoka land, so the next step is to work with the district to get amenities such as benches and trash cans. Uukkivi also said the location change is in line with early discussions to create a transit hub within town.
