Thunder Bay Transit

Public transit in Thunder Bay was first established in 1892. The silver boom had recently ended, destroying Port Arthur's primary economic raison d'être. Compounding the matter was the Canadian Pacific Railway's decision to build its grain elevators and rail yards in neighbouring Fort William, 6 km (4 mi) away. With businesses and population vanishing, Port Arthur decided after much debate to build a streetcar line to connect the town with the rail yards in neighbouring Fort William, much to that town's chagrin.^[11]

In 1891, the town of Port Arthur was authorized to construct and operate the first municipally owned street railway in Canada. The Port Arthur Street Railway (PASRy) commenced operations in March 1892, only serving Port Arthur at the time. ^[12]

Meanwhile, Fort William wanted nothing to do with Port Arthur's municipal railway. Instead, McDonald and Company commenced operations of a private omnibus, connecting the Port Arthur Street Railway's southern terminus at Fort William's northern town limits into the downtown core of Fort William.^[8][11][13]

Throughout 1893, however, Port Arthur’s streetcar line expanded into Fort William. On June 1st of that year, service was extended to Prudence Street, which was the northernmost point of Fort William at the time. By the end September, the route extended all the way to Westfort,^[14] a community that supported Port Arthur’s initiative to build a streetcar line.^[15] This original streetcar line, primarily on Fort William Road, resembles today’s #1 Mainline bus route.

In 1907, Port Arthur and Fort William became cities. The Ontario Railway and Municipal Board forced Port Arthur to sell its section of the railway in Fort William to that city on March 11, 1908, and to submit to operation by a joint commission until December 1, 1913, under the name Port Arthur and Fort William Railway. Thereafter, each city ran its own street railway—Port Arthur assumed the name Port Arthur Civic Railway in 1914, and Fort William assumed the name Fort William Street Railway.^[8]

The early 20th century saw expansion along the PASRy’s system. A line was built on Arthur Street (since renamed to Red River Road, and not to be confused with present-day Arthur Street) to Hill Street in 1909. Port Arthur also added two belt lines in 1913, the North Belt Line and the South Belt Line. The first streetcars ran on the North Belt Line on October 29, 1913. In addition, the main line was extended into Current River (Hodder Ave) in 1913. ^[14] These expansions would be the origin of today’s north side routes, particularly 3C, 3J, 7, 11, 13, and 17. A streetcar barn was also built on Front Street in 1910. ^[14]

Street railway operations ended in Thunder Bay in 1948. Port Arthur's last three antiquated cars made their final run over the North Belt Line on February 16, 1948, in a driving snowstorm, and Fort William's street cars ceased operations on October 16, 1948. ^[8] The decision to replace streetcar services with trolley buses were influenced by several factors. Firstly, given the end of the Second World War, vehicle factories no longer had much work. Manufacturing buses would create more jobs. Also, streetcar infrastructure was difficult to maintain, with parts becoming scarce and tracks difficult to maintain. Finally, trolley buses provided more comfort and flexibility.^[16]

The Port Arthur Public Utilities Commission which ran the street railway acquired its first 36-passenger bus (painted maroon and cream) in August 1946 manufactured at the Canadian Car and Foundry plant in Fort William. It immediately phased out the Arthur Street railway line, and renamed its system as Port Arthur Transit..^[17] Gasoline-powered buses were introduced in December 1946 to serve the intercity route. Electric trolley buses were introduced on December 15, 1947,^[18] the same year that the Fort William Street Railway was renamed the Fort William Transit Company. The trolley buses were manufactured by J. G. Brill and Company at the Canadian Car and Foundry plant in Fort William.

The Intercity trolley coach line (main lines) of each city's system opened in 1947 and was interlined, with operators' coaches serving the entire line in both cities until 1955. From 1955 to September 1969, the route was split between the two cities. One would have to transfer buses at a loop east of the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition grounds, at the Fort William city limits.^[19] From 1 October 1969, a full Mainline service was restored in preparation for amalgamation.^[8][20]

Since January 1, 1970, when Port Arthur and Fort William were amalgamated into the City of Thunder Bay, the system has been known as Thunder Bay Transit.^[8] Along with a reunified Mainline route, a second major route which traverses the city was created in June 1970: the Crosstown. The Crosstown route connects Westfort and downtown Port Arthur, allowing riders to enjoy a shorter ride between the city’s distant ends (saving 15 minutes).^[20] In addition, the fare system was modified in January 1970 to allow travel citywide under only one fare. ^[20]

Electric trolley buses were discontinued on September 10, 1972,^[18] and the city has since used diesel buses.

Thunder Bay Transit purchased its first low-floor buses in 1994,^[21] and by March 2007 became the first full-sized transit agency in Ontario to have a fleet that consisted entirely of accessible buses.^[9] Later that year, Thunder Bay Transit became the second Canadian transit agency to implement Grey Island Systems GPS/AVL and NextBus system with passenger counters, fare box integrations and passenger information systems.^[22]

Thunder Bay Transit fares were last increased on 1 April 2024. Exact cash fare on Thunder Bay Transit is $3.25, support persons ride free, as do children under the age of twelve. Bus tickets can be purchased in groups of 10 for $28.00. Twenty ride punch passes have been discontinued. They have introduced a day pass, which costs $9.00. Tickets are transferable—they can be shared by many people at one time—. A transfer pass can be obtained when boarding with cash or tickets, and allows passengers to change buses up to two times for the price of one fare. Transfer passes have a 90-minute time limit and are non-transferable—they can be used only by the person to whom they are issued.^[23]

Thunder Bay Transit offers monthly, semester and family/group passes. These passes allow unlimited rides within the time period specified on the face of the card, so that pass holders do not need to use transfers to change buses.

As of 1 April 2024,^[24] adult monthly passes cost $87.00, and discount monthly passes are $72.00, which can be purchased by those with a valid discount card, issued only by Thunder Bay Transit. Monthly passes for youth between 13 and 24, and seniors over 60 cost $60.00. Annual senior pass cost is $536.00. On Sundays the adult montly pass also doubles as a Family pass. It allows for unlimited trips for two adults and three children, one adult and four children, or two adults. Proof of age is required, and children must be under the age of 18.^[23]

Students at Lakehead University and Confederation College receive a U-Pass as part of their tuition, which allows for unlimited trips during the school year for the person to whom the pass is issued.^[25][26]

Thunder Bay Transit operates 19 regular transit routes covering approximately 350 kilometres (220 miles) of city streets.^[6][27] Here is a table of the routes: ^[28]

Route	Name	Frequency	Northbound/ Inbound Destination	Southbound/ Outbound Destination	Interlined Route (Location)	Availability
1	Mainline	30 Mins (Peak Hours) 45 Mins (Off-Peak Hours)	Waterfront Terminal	City Hall Terminal	-	Everyday at all times
2	Crosstown	15 Mins (School Day Peak Hours) 30 Mins (Summer/Saturday Peak Hours) 45 Mins (Off-Peak Hours)	Waterfront Terminal	Confederation College*	5 Edward (College)	Everyday at all times
3C	County Park	30 Mins (Peak Hours) 45 Mins (Off-Peak Hours)	Waterfront Terminal	Castlegreen Drive	3M Memorial (Waterfront)	Everyday at all times
3J	Jumbo Gardens	30 Mins	Waterfront Terminal	Sherwood Drive	3M Memorial (Waterfront)	Peak Only
3M	Memorial	15 Mins (Peak Hours) 45 Mins (Off-Peak Hours)	Waterfront Terminal	City Hall Terminal	Waterfront: 3C County Park or 3J Jumbo Garden City Hall: 10 Northwood or 14 Arthur	Everyday at all times
4	Neebing	(Select runs only)	Frederica and Brown	-	6 Mission	Weekday Peak Only
5	Edward	30 Mins (Peak Hours) 45 Mins (Off-Peak Hours)	Confederation College*	Frederica and Brown (Westfort)	2 Crosstown (College)	Everyday at all times
6	Mission Rd.	(Select runs only)	Frederica and Brown	Fort William First Nation	4 Neebing	Weekday Peak Only
7	Hudson	30 Mins (Peak Hours) 45 Mins (Off-Peak Hours)	Waterfront Terminal	Shuniah Street	11 John (Waterfront, Peak) 13 John Jumbo (Waterfront, Off-Peak)	Everyday at all times
8	James	30 Mins (Peak Hours) 45 Mins (Off-Peak Hours)	City Hall Terminal	Intercity Shopping Centre (Daytime) Confederation College (Short Turn during evenings and weekend mornings)	9 Junot (Intercity at limited times) 14 Arthur(City Hall, off-peak)	Everyday at all times
9	Junot	30 Mins (Peak Hours) 45 Mins (Off-Peak Hours)	Waterfront Terminal	Intercity Shopping Centre (Daytime) Lakehead University (Short Turn after 8:30 PM and Weekend mornings)	8 James (Intercity at limited times)	Everyday at all times
10	Northwood	30 Mins (Peak Hours) 45 Mins (Off-Peak Hours)	City Hall Terminal	Confederation College	3M Memorial (City Hall)	Everyday at all times
11	John	30 Mins	Waterfront Terminal	Windsor Street	7 Hudson (Waterfront)	Peak Only
12	East End	30 Mins	City Hall Terminal	Intercity Shopping Centre	16 Balmoral (City Hall)	Peak Only
13	John Jumbo	45 Mins	Waterfront Terminal	County Fair Plaza	7 Hudson (Waterfront)	Off-Peak Only (Supplements 3J and 11)
14	Arthur	30 Mins (Peak Hours) 45 Mins (Off-Peak Hours)	City Hall Terminal	Thunder Bay Airport	3M Memorial (City Hall, Peak) 8 James (City Hall, Off-peak)	Everyday at all times
16	Balmoral	30 Mins	City Hall Terminal	Confederation College	12 East End (City Hall)	Peak Only
17	Current River	45 Mins	Waterfront Terminal	Cowan St and Hodder Ave	-	Everyday at all times
18	Westfort	45 Mins	City Hall Terminal	Mary St at Neebing Ave	-	Everyday at all times

Note: Routes with availability stating “Everyday at all times” indicate service is always available during service hours. Overnight service is not provided on any route.

(*) The 2 Crosstown and 5 Edward are typically interlined, and display their destination as either Waterfront or Westfort. They are internally treated as one route. The only exception is when some runs on the Crosstown makes short turns at Confederation College (when 15 minutes service is given) and return to Waterfront rather than going to Westfort.

Peak routes run Monday to Friday between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm, and Saturday between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm. Most peak routes have a frequency of 30 minutes between stops. Busier routes (2 Crosstown and 3M Memorial) have a frequency of 15 minutes during rushhour. Routes 4, 6, 17, and 18 however have longer headway. 17 and 18 have a frequency of 45 minutes and the rural routes 4 and 6 only run at select times on weekdays. Non-peak routes run Monday to Saturday between 6:00 pm and 11:30 pm, Saturday morning between 6:00 am and 10:00 am, all day Sunday and statutory holidays. Most non-peak routes have a frequency of 40-45 minutes between stops.^[28]

Thunder Bay Transit resumed service to rural areas within city limits in spring 2008 as part of a pilot project funded by the city's share of provincial gas tax revenue. Ridership on both routes was well below the municipal guideline of 10 passengers per hour of service.^[29]

Service resumed in South Neebing on March 18, after being cancelled in 2004 due to low ridership.^[30] The route operated on Tuesday and Thursday, with two runs in the morning and two runs in the afternoon.^[31] The route averaged 1 passenger per hour of service, and cost $73 per passenger to operate. The trial cost $19,200, and brought in only $400 in revenue, resulting in a net cost of $18,800. Service to South Neebing ended on November 27.^[29]

Service resumed in McIntyre on June 4, after a telephone survey conducted by the city found some demand for transit service in the area, which had bus service in the 1980s and 1990s. The route operated on Wednesday and Saturday, with two runs in the morning and two in the afternoon.^[32] The route averaged 0.5 passengers per hour of service, and cost $148 per passenger to operate. The trial cost $15,600, and brought in only $200 in revenue, resulting in a net cost of $15,400. Service to McIntyre ended on November 29.^[29]

In the present day, only there are 2 rural routes. The 4 Neebing route is a circular route which connects Broadway Avenue, Fort William Historical Park, Rosslyn Road, and rural Arthur Street to the city’s Westfort ward. Rarely, route 4 buses will also go to City Hall Terminal, but only when buses are entering service or being pulled out. The 6 Mission Rd. route connects the Fort William First Nation reserve on the opposite side of the Kaministiquia River to the city’s Westfort ward. Both buses only run weekdays daytime and are interlined. ^[28]

When buses on certain routes arrive at a transit terminal, they will resume travel on different routes. Interlining allows passengers to travel longer distances without having to change buses. ^[33]

Interlining at City Hall terminal

Peak routes
16 Balmoral and 12 East End at :15 and :45
14 Arthur and 3M Memorial (to Jumbo Gardens) at :15 and :45
10 Northwood and 3M Memorial (to County Park) at :00 and :30
Non-peak routes
14 Arthur and 8 James (College short turn)
10 Northwood and 3M Memorial (to County Park)

Interlining at Water Street terminal

Peak routes
11 John and 7 Hudson at :00 and :30
3C County Park and 3M Memorial (to Northwood) at :15 and :45
3J Jumbo Gardens and 3M Memorial (to Airport) at :00 and :30
Non-peak routes
13 John Jumbo and 7 Hudson
3C County Park and 3M Memorial (to Northwood)

Interlining elsewhere

8 James and 9 Junot interline at Intercity Shopping Centre between 6:00 am and 1:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
4 Neebing becomes 6 Mission at Brown and Frederica.
2 Crosstown (if not short turning at Confederation College) becomes 5 Edward.

Thunder Bay Transit owns a fleet of 48 buses, which consists of all Nova Bus LFSs. They all run on biodiesel,^[7] and are all handicapped accessible low-floor models.^[34] Thunder Bay Transit is the first full-sized transit system in Ontario to have a fleet entirely of low-floor buses.^[9]

Thunder Bay Transit Bus Fleet (Historical and Present)^[35]

Series		Manufacturer	Model	Description	Year	In service/ Retired
	102, 103	General Motors	“Fishbowl” T6H-5307N	53' Diesel bus	1980	Retired before 2007[34]
	105–110	Orion Bus Industries	05.501	40' Diesel bus	1992	Retired before 2007[34]
	111–125	New Flyer Industries	D40LF	40' Diesel bus	1994	Retired
	126–129	Nova Bus	Nova Bus LFS	40' Diesel bus	1997	Retired
	130–134	Nova Bus	Nova Bus LFS	40' Diesel bus	1999	Retired
	135, 136	Nova Bus	Nova Bus LFS	40' Diesel bus	2001	Retired
	137–141	Nova Bus	Nova Bus LFS	40' Diesel bus	2004	Retired
	142–144	Nova Bus	Nova Bus LFS	40' Diesel bus	2006	Retired (142 retired 2023 143 retired 2021 144 retired 2022)
	145–147	Nova Bus	Nova Bus LFS	40' Diesel bus	2007	Partially Retired (145 retired 2022)
	148–150, 152, 156, 157, 159, 160	Nova Bus	Nova Bus LFS	40' Diesel bus	2008	In Service
	161, 163, 164	Nova Bus	Nova Bus LFS	40' Diesel bus	2009	In Service
	165-170	Nova Bus	Nova Bus LFS	40' Diesel bus	2011	In Service
	172-174	Nova Bus	Nova Bus LFS	40' Diesel bus	2013	In Service
	176, 177	Nova Bus	Nova Bus LFS	40' Diesel bus	2014	In Service
	178-180	Nova Bus	Nova Bus LFS	40' Diesel bus	2015	In Service
	181, 183, 185	Nova Bus	Nova Bus LFS	40' Diesel bus	2016	In Service
	193–197	General Motors	“Fishbowl” T6H-5307N	53' Diesel bus	1978	Retired before 2007[34]
	198–200	General Motors	“Fishbowl” T6H-5307N	53' Diesel bus	1980	Retired before 2007[34]
	210–217	Orion Bus Industries	06.501	40' Diesel bus	1999	Retired
	218–221	Orion Bus Industries	07.501	40' Diesel bus	2004	Retired
	223-236	Nova Bus	Nova Bus LFS	40' Diesel bus	2017	In Service
	239, 240	Nova Bus	Nova Bus LFS	40' Diesel bus	2022	In Service
	241, 242	Nova Bus	Nova Bus LFS	40' Diesel bus	2023	In Service

Since September 2007, Thunder Bay Transit buses have been using the Grey Island Systems GPS/AVL and NextBus real-time passenger information systems, which uses GPS sensors and electronic maps to track bus movement and devices to measure passenger numbers.^[36] The system uses TBayTel's CDMA wireless network to relay information to the transit office and to electronic signs located at major transit stops to let riders know when their bus will arrive.^[37] These electronic signs are located at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Lakehead University, Confederation College, Intercity Shopping Centre, and Thunder Bay Transit's two downtown transit terminals, with a seventh sign planned for the Westfort neighbourhood in the city's south end.^[22] A test of the system was released on March 17, 2008, and allowed passengers to view arrival times for routes 2 Crosstown, 3 Northwood, 8 James and 9 Junot.^[38]

To accommodate disabled passengers, Thunder Bay Transit buses are wheelchair accessible low-floor models.^[34] Low-floor buses are capable of kneeling to street level and have extending ramps which allow wheelchairs to board safely. Thunder Bay Transit buses had 19,175 rides by persons in wheelchairs in 2006, the most per capita in Ontario."^[9] Thunder Bay Transit offers a Night Stop service, where buses will allow passengers to disembark at locations between bus stops during night hours due to safety or security concerns.^[39]

Thunder Bay Transit operates two bus terminals in the north and south cores of the city. Thunder Bay Transit's head office and bus garage is located at Thunder Bay Transit and Central Maintenance, located at 570 Fort William Road. In addition, three points of interests are major transit hubs in the city: Lakehead University, Confederation College, and Intercity Shopping Centre. ^[28]

Address: 500 Donald Street East, Thunder Bay

Functions: downtown south core bus terminal; heated waiting area (City Hall lobby).

Platforms: street level on Brodie Street, Donald Street and May Street around the plaza in front of city hall.

Routes: 1 Mainline, 3M Memorial, 4 Neebing (limited), 8 James, 10 Northwood, 12 East End, 14 Arthur, 16 Balmoral, 18 Westfort

Address: 40 North Water Street, Thunder Bay

Coordinates: 48°26′08.7″N 89°13′01″W / 48.435750°N 89.21694°W / 48.435750; -89.21694

Functions: downtown north core bus terminal; heated waiting area

Platforms: 1

Routes: 1 Mainline, 2 Crosstown, 3C County Park, 3J Jumbo Garden, 3M Memorial, 7 Hudson, 9 Junot, 11 John, 13 John Jumbo, 17 Current River

Address: 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay

Function: Connection with Lakehead University; Transfer point

Platforms: 1 (Sidewalk along Agora Circle)

Routes: 2 Crosstown, 9 Junot

Address: 1450 Nakina Drive, Thunder Bay

Function: Connection with Confederation College; Transfer point

Platforms: 1

Routes: 2 Crosstown, 5 Edward, 8 James, 10 Northwood, 16 Balmoral

Address: 1000 Fort William Road, Thunder Bay

Function: Connection to Intercity Shopping Centre; Transfer point

Platforms: 2 (Dedicated northbound platform, Sidewalk southbound platform)

Routes: 1 Mainline, 3 Memorial, 8 James, 9 Junot, 12 East End

Thunder Bay Transit and Central Maintenance

Address: 570 Fort William Road

Coordinates: 48°25′02″N 89°14′11″W / 48.41722°N 89.23639°W / 48.41722; -89.23639

Functions: main office and vehicle maintenance

The intersection of Brown Street and Frederica Street in Westfort is a transfer point for routes 18 Westfort, 5 Edward, 4 Neebing, and 6 Mission.

The Thunder Bay Regional Hospital is another location that has good connection by transit. It is served by 2 Crosstown and 9 Junot. ^[28]It also has an electronic sign indicating live bus times.^[22]

• Transportation in Thunder Bay, Ontario
• Public transport in Canada

• Scollie, F. Brent (1990). The Creation of the Port Arthur Street Railway 1890–95: Canada's First Municipally-owned Street Railway. Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society, Papers and Records, XVIII
• Andreas, Wesley, MA (2007). Moving Forward: Public Transit in Canadian Mid-sized Cities. University of Calgary Department of Geography

• Thunder Bay Transit Official web site
• Nextbus Stop Selector for Thunder Bay Transit
• History of Transit in Thunder Bay
• Tom's North American Trolleybus Pix – Thunder Bay / Port Arthur / Fort William
• Drawings and photos of Thunder Bay Transit buses
• HAGI - Accessible Transit Service