A proposed regional transit network spanning Grey, Bruce, Dufferin, and Wellington counties is set to be unveiled this week.
The first draft of the Unified Regional Transit Network Study will be presented to Grey County councillors during a Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
The study, prepared by Dillon Consulting, is examining how existing and new transit services could be combined into a more coordinated network across the four counties, alongside Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit.
Grey County says the project is intended to improve connections between communities, create more consistent service and establish a unified approach to fares.
The study is also looking at communities that currently have few or no transportation options.
"Some communities have no public transit service," the county says, adding that "traveling between counties without a personal vehicle is challenging."
Earlier work on the study identified several options for the future network.
Those include inter-community transit corridors operating at least three or four times per day, expanded on-demand transportation through SMART and better connections with neighbouring systems such as GO Transit, Guelph Transit, Owen Sound Transit, Colltrans and Simcoe LINX.
Private-sector partnerships with taxi and ridesharing companies have also been explored as a way of connecting passengers with scheduled transit routes.
The regional study is examining the type and frequency of service that could work across the largely rural area, along with fares, costs, integration with existing services and an implementation plan.
Several existing routes are continuing while the longer-term plan is developed.
The Grey Transit Route between Dundalk and Orangeville remains in service, while the Guelph Owen Sound Transportation route continues to connect Owen Sound and Guelph.
Bus service between Owen Sound and Wiarton was also restored at the beginning of September.
A seasonal extension of that route to Sauble Beach is being considered for the summer of 2027, subject to funding.
Grey County has said keeping those services operating protects existing ridership while the partners decide what a permanent regional system should look like.
The broader project was launched after the province committed up to $9.5 million through the Ontario Transit Investment Fund toward development of a regional transit network.
The draft being presented Thursday is not expected to result in an immediate decision on implementation.
The four county councils and the SMART board are expected to review the proposed network before final decisions on the future system are made in 2027.
Grey County's Committee of the Whole meeting begins Thursday morning.
