Activate Transit Windsor Essex speaks out about Leamington to Windsor transit cancellation

Leamington to Windsor transit service route (Source: Municipality of Leamington)

Activate Transit Windsor Essex (ATWE) is speaking out about the cancellation of the Leamington to Windsor (LTW) transit route.

ATWE is an advocacy group that is working for more accessible and sustainable transportation in Windsor-Essex.

“We are extremely disappointed to see Essex County council decide to not pursue financially supporting the LTW 42 transit route,” the group said in a statement.

“This is a short-sighted decision that will set back a push for a more robust regional transit system to connect all of Essex County. We agree with Mayor Bondy that this is a route that very much has the potential to be the backbone of a full regional transit network.”

ATWE continued, citing the many people who use this particular system, including students and migrant workers.

“These are people who may not have a vehicle to drive and whose sole connection between Windsor and the county has now been severed, with the only option being an expensive taxi ride,” it said.

“Many mayors and councillors who represent their municipalities on Essex County council have brought up concerns on how much value they are getting from this service. However, we agree with the words of Mayor Hilda MacDonald of Leamington that not all municipalities benefit directly from large road projects (e.g. County 42 and Manning) but Essex County council funds these projects as they benefit the region at large.”

ATWE questioned what can be done to improve the service to serve the different municipalities better, rather than cutting funding due to a lack of value.

“As our region grows, we will need to provide mobility options to connect all of the municipalities that make up Essex County together,” ATWE concluded.

“A robust regional transit network has the ability to be an economic driver not only for Windsor, but all of Essex County as a whole. This bus route can be built upon and enhanced, but only if we as a region make the decision to invest and keep it.”

It was announced last week that the transit service will end come April 2026.