Grand opening for new Barrie transit hub paves way for future of downtown terminal

Marking a major milestone with the official opening of Barrie’s new transit hub.

Dignitaries and city officials gathered Friday to mark the official opening of the brand-new Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal as plans for the old terminal take shape.

The $31.4 million transit hub situated beside the Allandale Waterfront GO Station opened its doors to the public on Sunday, but officials marked the site’s grand opening on Friday, calling the relocation to a more central area of the city a “game-changer.

“It will enhance service efficiency, improve connections to GO train service, and unlock new opportunities for downtown revitalization,” said Mayor Alex Nuttall.

The terminal’s opening also signals change for downtown Barrie, as the old transit building on Maple Avenue is scheduled to close this Sunday. Officials say the space will be renovated and transformed into a campus for Lakehead University’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Hub.

City officials say downtown transit service will be maintained through bus stops and new shelters on Maple Avenue.