Community Transit

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.

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:

• You have any symptoms of COVID-19 including fever and/or chills,cough/barking cough (croup), shortness of breath, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, decrease or loss of smell or taste, runny or stuffy nose,headache, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, extreme tiredness,pink eye, or stomach pain
• You have been told that you should be isolating (staying at home)
• You have been identified as a close contact of someone who has COVID-19 in the last 14 days
• You or anyone you live with has travelled outside of Canada in the last14 days
• Anyone you live with is experiencing symptoms or is waiting for test results after experiencing symptoms

Be Prepared for Your Trip

• Please be ready when the vehicle arrives at your home. The driver will not come to the door so it is important that you are prepared for your scheduled pick-up time and watching for the vehicle to arrive.
• When you have finished your appointment, the driver will pick you up where they dropped you off at the vaccination clinic.

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.

• The Canadian Red Cross provides transportation service for those in need, such as elderly or disabled in the community, who are unable to use public transportation or private means. Visit their website at the following link: The Canadian Red Cross
• Muskoka Seniors is a volunteer group that provides transportation services for seniors including rides to medical appointments (local or long-distance locations) and to various activities. Advance notice is required. Fees based on distance travelled. Visit their website at the following link: Muskoka Seniors
• The Bracebridge Transit system offers an environmentally-conscious way to get around town, affordable rates, a regularly scheduled route, and a conventional and mobility service that travels the urban core of Bracebridge. The transit service operates Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. There is no service on Sundays or Statutory Holidays. Please call 705-645-8444 or email transit@bracebridge.ca for more information.Visit their website at the following link: The Bracebridge Transit system offers
• Individuals who use a cane, a walker, a wheelchair or scooter can use the accessible low-floor bus. Those who cannot board Bracebridge Transit due to a physical disability may register with Bracebridge Mobility, to travel to and from their destinations with greater ease.  Visit their website at the following link: Bracebridge Mobility
• The Huntsville Public Transit system runs a local bus service in the town. They run two scheduled routes Monday - Saturday. View Routes and Fees. Specialized Transit is also available, and pick-ups can be requested with 24-hours' notice. The Specialized Transit service operates Monday to Friday. Please call (705) 788-8118 to arrange location pick-up and time. Visit their website at the following link: Huntsville Public Transit
• North Simcoe Muskoka Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) connects people with the care in the community. CCAC community services include meal delivery and dining programs; homemaking and home help; transportation services; community dining; and friendly visits.  Visit their website at the following link: North Simcoe Muskoka Community Care Access Centre (CCAC)
• Hammond Transportation offers local and rural transportation options. Visit their website at the following link: Hammond Transportation

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.