Muskoka is a large region, making it a challenge for some residents to travel without a personal vehicle for transportation. Learn more about the Community Transit Services supported by the District and made available in Muskoka by clicking on the services below.
Please note that the Corridor 11 Bus and the Rural and Community Connection Service are to be used for essential trips only at this time. These services may be used to help connect isolated individuals, or those lacking transportation to important essential services and supplies including medical appointments, prescriptions and groceries.
The Corridor 11 Bus runs between Huntsville and Barrie, making stops in Port Sydney, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Washago, and Orillia. This bus system does not run on weekends or holidays.
The Rural and Community Connection transportation service connects Muskoka communities east and west while providing timed connections to other transportation networks within and beyond Muskoka. The service operates two different routes on two different days - Tuesday’s and Thursdays.
The Specialized Transportation Fund (STF) provides assistance for people who need financial support for transportation and who do not have access to other public or agency-provided transportation services by offering up to $2,000 annually for transportation needs.
If you need help getting to a COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic, read below about how Muskoka's transportation services can help:
Option 1: Use the District’s Community Transportation Services to Help Get You There |
Our services have connections to the local transit systems in Bracebridge, Huntsville, and Midland, where vaccination clinics are located. Here are a few examples of how you might use our services: Rural and Community Connection Our Rural and Community Connection (RCC) service has trips into Bracebridge, Huntsville, and Midland. If you live in an area served by the RCC, you could take that into town, and then transfer onto the Town service, which would take you to the vaccine site. For example, if you live in Baysville, you could take the RCC into Huntsville, and connect with Huntsville Transit. The best place for passengers to meet the Huntsville Transit service is at the Table Food Bank and Men's Shelter at 9 Hanes Street, just around the corner from 1 King William Street. For the Huntsville Transit schedule and route, please click the following link: Huntsville Transit *** Did you know, if you live a short distance from one of the RCC routes, you can request to be picked up at your location! For more information, click here. *** As another example, if you live in Honey Harbour, take the RCC into Midland, and then connect with Midland Transit to access the vaccine clinic. The RCC shares a stop with Midland Transit at the Huronia Mall for an easy transfer. For the Midland Transit schedule and route, please click the following link: Midland Transit Another example would be if you live in Port Carling, you could take the RCC into Bracebridge, and connect with the Bracebridge Wave bus. The best place for passengers to meet the Bracebridge Wave service is at the intersection of James Street and Ann Street, just a short walk from the hospital. For the Wave schedule and route, please visit the Town of Bracebridge website at the following link: Bracebridge Transit. You can also download the route schedule and map at the following link: Route Schedule and Map. Corridor 11 Bus Our Corridor 11 Bus links several communities along Highway 11, including Bracebridge and Huntsville. If you live in an area served by the Corridor 11 Bus, you could take it into Bracebridge or Huntsville and connect with the local Town services for the last leg of the trip to the vaccine site. For example, if you live in Port Sydney, you could take the Corridor 11 Bus into Huntsville and transfer onto Huntsville Transit for service to the vaccine site. As another example, if you live in Gravenhurst, you could take the Corridor Bus into Bracebridge or Huntsville and connect to the Town service to travel to the vaccine site.
If you have any questions about the services, schedules, or how the District services connect to others, please feel free to contact Jacquie Evans, Transportation Network Coordinator, at Jacquie.evans@muskoka.on.ca or (705) 645-2100 ext. 4419. |
Option 2: Use the District’s On-Demand Vaccination Transportation Service |
Through funding provided by the Province of Ontario, The District of Muskoka has partnered with Hammond Transportation Ltd. to have an accessible vehicle available to help transport eligible individuals to the vaccination clinics located in Bracebridge and Huntsville. This transportation service is an on-demand, curb to curb service and trips will be booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Any District resident with a vaccine appointment can use the service, and it is free of charge. The driver will pick you up at your home, take you to your appointment, and bring you home again. Trips are only provided for those accessing the vaccination clinics to obtain a vaccination. No other trip purposes will be accommodated. Ridesharing will not be permitted, but one support person will be permitted to accompany a resident needing assistance to their vaccine appointment, provided they are from the same household. A “household” includes individuals living alone who have exclusive contact with one other household, and have for all intents and purposes joined that household. This service is being provided Monday through Sunday during vaccine clinic hours for the month of March and may be extended pending funding. Need to Book a Trip? If you have an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination in Bracebridge or Huntsville and require transportation to and/or from the clinic, please call Hammond Transportation at 705-645-2583 to book your trip. The Hammonds reservation telephone line is open Monday to Friday from 9am – 4pm. You will be required to wear a face covering (non-medical mask) at all times while riding the service (medical, age, and religious exemptions apply) and complete the COVID-19 screening checklist before boarding the vehicle. Please DO NOT use the Service if:
Be Prepared for Your Trip
Who Can Get the Vaccine? For the most up-to-date eligibility list visit the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit website at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org or call: 1-877-721-7520. |
Option 3: Use the Red Cross Vaccine Transportation Service |
The Red Cross is offering free transportation to vaccine clinics. To book a ride, call their office at 705-721-3313 or 1-800-387-2251. |
Option 4: The Specialized Transportation Fund |
If none of the services outlined above will work for you, and if you need financial support for transportation to your vaccine appointment, consider applying for our Specialized Transportation Fund. |
Other Community Transit Services Serving Muskoka |
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Community Transportation Plan |
The goal of the District's Community Transportation Plan (CTP) is to develop accessible, affordable, sustainable transportation solutions for both urban and rural residents, including services that move residents east and west within Muskoka. The CTP recommends a new rural service, improvements to the current Corridor 11 service, and suggestions to help us create a seamless transportation network across Muskoka with connections to broader options to the south. For more information about the CTP, or to subscribe to email updates on the CTP project, visit the CTP project page on the Engage Muskoka Platform at www.engagemuskoka.ca/community-transportation. |
Learn more about the District's Community Transportation Plan by visiting: www.engagemuskoka.ca/community-transportation