Rural and Community Connection

In addition to providing designated stops, the schedule has also been designed to accommodate what is known as a “flex stop”.

A flex stop allows riders to request a pick-up and/or drop off spot that is located within a 5-minute return trip from the existing route. Flex stops aim to support those who may not be able to access one of the existing schedule stops.

In extenuating circumstances, flex stops beyond 5 minutes may also be accommodated.

Flex stops must be requested 24 hours in advance of your trip. To request a flex stop call Hammond Transportation at (705) 645-5431.  Flex stops will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis until all the flex time for a given day is accounted for.

Riders may also request flag stops, where a passenger can stand along the designated route and waive at the driver to indicate that they want to be picked up. Similarly, riders can ask to be dropped off anywhere along the route.

PLEASE NOTE: The driver can only accommodate flag stop requests when it is safe to do so. To ensure your flag stop can be accommodated, it is strongly advised that you call Hammonds in advance of your trip for confirmation.

Hammond Transportation has an accessible vehicle available to use for the service when a passenger requires one. Please call Hammond Transportation at 705-645-5431 24 hours in advance of your trip to request an accessible vehicle.  

If you need to a support person with you to travel, they can ride with you for free. Ahead of your trip, please contact Sydney Piatkowski, Muskoka Transportation Network Coordinator, at sydney.piatkowski@Muskoka.on.ca or 705-645-2100 ext. 4419, so that we may alert the driver.

We welcome service animals that assist riders with physical, mental and/or sensory disabilities when travelling on transit. As per the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, we encourage riders to travel with documentation supporting their needs in the event it is required. 

Fares range between $5 and $15, depending on the distance travelled. 

Children 12 years of age and under are half price.

Ticket Prices - Tuesday Fares:

Ticket Prices - Thursday Fares:

Do you want to use transit but have trouble paying fares? You may be eligible to access the District’s Free Transit Pass Program. The District transit pass is valid for use on the Corridor 11 and Rural and Community Connection buses. Note: The District Transit Pass is not valid on the Bracebridge Wave or Huntsville Transit.

To qualify for a Free Annual Transit Pass, you must:

• Be a resident of the District of Muskoka.
• Be "Low Income" as defined by the Federal Low Income Measure.

If you think you may qualify, you can fill out this short application, or contact Sydney Piatkowski, Transportation Network Coordinator, at 705-645-2100 x 4419 for support. 

For information on Simcoe LINX, including fares, schedules, and stops, please visit https://www.simcoe.ca/dpt/linx

The Rural and Community Connection Service provides connections to other transportation services creating a robust transportation network within and beyond Muskoka. These connections are noted on the schedule and are summarized below.

MacTier – Huntsville Route

 Eastbound from MacTier

• Morning connection to southbound Corridor 11 bus (travel to Orillia) at Bracebridge Hospital at 10:58 am
• Afternoon connection to southbound Corridor 11 bus (travel to Orillia) at Bracebridge Hospital at 3:58 pm

Example: A Port Carling resident could take the Rural and Community Connection service to the Bracebridge Hospital, then board the Corridor 11 Bus and travel to Orillia

Westbound to MacTier

• Afternoon connection to northbound Corridor 11 bus (travel from Orillia) at 7:02 pm

Example: A Port Carling resident heading north from Orillia on the Corridor 11 Bus can get off at the Bracebridge Hospital, then transfer to the Rural and Community Connection Service to travel home to Port Carling

Honey Harbour – Midland – Bracebridge Route

Westbound to Bala, Midland

• Morning connection to Simcoe LINX for service to Barrie at 9:12 am at Huronia Mall in Midland

Example: A Honey Harbour resident can travel on the Rural and Community Connection service into Midland in the morning and transfer onto the Simcoe LINX to travel to Barrie.

• Afternoon connection to Corridor 11 Bus from Orillia located in Gravenhurst (at the intersection of Winewood Ave and Muskoka Beach Rd) at 6:25 pm

Example: A Bala resident can travel north from Orillia on the Corridor 11 Bus to Gravenhurst, then transfer to the Rural and Community Connection Service to travel home to Bala

 Eastbound from Bala, Midland

• Morning connection to Corridor 11 Bus to Orillia in Gravenhurst (at the intersection of Winewood Ave and Muskoka Beach Rd) at 11:30 am

Example: A Bala resident can travel into Gravenhurst on the Rural and Community Connection Service and transfer onto the Corridor 11 Bus to get to Orillia.

• Afternoon connection to Simcoe LINX FROM Barrie in Midland at 2:30 pm

Example: A Honey Harbour resident can travel from Barrie to Midland on the Simcoe LINX, then transfer to the Rural and Community Connection Service to get back to Honey Harbour.

In addition to the connections described above, passengers can also transfer from the Rural and Community Connection onto the local Bracebridge and Huntsville transit services. Please check the Town websites for schedules and fare information.

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.

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 

Stay up to date with the latest health information via the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.

• Masks are optional but welcome on transit. Riders are encouraged to respect their fellow riders' personal choices.

Other reminders when riding the bus:

• don’t ride the bus if you aren’t feeling well or have symptoms of COVID-19.
• do practice social-distancing by sitting as far apart as possible from other riders 
• do use hand sanitizer provided when boarding and exiting the bus.
• do cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze using the crook of your elbow or a tissue and use hand sanitizer immediately afterwards.
• do avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

For general questions and information about this program, please contact:

Sydney Piatkowski, Transportation Network Coordinator

705-645-2100 ext. 4419 

sydney.piatkowski@muskoka.on.ca