For years, people in Mattawa had trouble getting to jobs and medical appointments in North Bay because of a lack of reliable transportation.
That's been solved by the addition of a van that will make runs between the two cities when required by pre-bookings.
Called " Nipissing travellink", the van will leave the Mattawa Arena at 7 a.m., stopping along the way to pick up passengers, and arrive at the North Bay Peter Reid bus terminal by 8:30.
The return run leaves North Bay at 5 p.m. arriving back at the Mattawa at 6:30.
Today is the first run, and co-owner of Belanger Brownway Bus Lines, Dan Belanger, says interest has been high.
"It looks like a good positive reaction, " Belanger told BayToday. "It looks like mostly seniors will be using it because a lot of them don't have vehicles. Mobility is quite an issue with seniors and with the new wheelchair accessible vehicle we have, it's going to help them out quite a bit."
Belanger will evaluate the pilot project after a year and may expand it "if it really takes off".
The fare from Mattawa is $20 or $38 round trip, and trips must be pre-booked and paid in advance by phoning 705-744-2685. Monthly passes are also available.
"It's all about economic development and helping the families in Mattawa," said Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli. "One of the weaknesses was the transportation link between Mattawa and North Bay and all of the smaller communities in between, whether it's Rutherglen or Bonfield or Astorville, didn't have access to employment in North Bay because they didn't have access to a vehicle.
"So it can bring people to come to work in North Bay as well as seniors for medical appointments."
A committee representing over 20 employment related organizations in collaboration with the Township of Papineau-Cameron applied to the Ministry of Transportation "Community Transportation Pilot Grant Program" for a $100,000 grant to set up and operate the service for one year.
Joe Bradbury is the CEO of the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board.
"We're involved because one of the largest social barriers for individuals in the outer regions is transportation. This allows for individuals who do not have access to transportation to connect with the larger community in North Bay. We need people to get out and use the service to get into and out of the smaller communities. We're quite please to have it."
Jeff McGirr. the Director of Economic Development agrees.
"We had feedback indicating to us that this is going to be a very valuable service for them.
"In Bonfield for example, it can be very difficult and expensive to get a taxi so for someone who wants to come in to North Bay or out to Bonfield this provides a very cost-effective solution for them and really breaks down that barrier."
Belanger Brownway has been in business for more than 50 years, their father and grandfather started the business when the Otto Holden hydro dam in Mattawa was being built.
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