Windsor getting a new tunnel bus?

A Toronto-based bus company is claiming to be the new tunnel bus provider, but the Tunnel has not been made aware. CTV Windsor’s Chris Campbell reports.

A Toronto-based bus company is preparing to step in after Windsor city hall voted to end the long-running tunnel bus service linking Windsor and Detroit.

ABC Coach said it plans to begin operating cross-border buses through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel in early September, just days after Transit Windsor makes its final run on Aug. 31.

The company has not yet provided details about pickup locations or ticket sales and has not responded to requests for an on-camera interview.

Tal Czudner, CEO of the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Corporation, said the company has yet to make contact.

“I don’t have any more information than we’re seeing online. Candidly, I’ve reached out to them because I think it’s important that they have some communication with me,” Czudner said.

“There’s a couple of steps in order to cross the border from a security and a payment perspective. But I have yet to hear from them.”

Czudner noted there is strong interest in finding alternatives for riders once the city-run tunnel bus shuts down.

“There’s lots of interested parties. You know, the folks at TWEPI, Councillor Agostino, folks from the City of Windsor, we’ve all been kind of talking and emailing and back and forth, trying to find solutions and answers for people that are asking,” he explained.

He said private transportation options across the tunnel have existed for decades, but increased demand could mean more companies trying to set up service.

“These companies have existed for decades, right? You could always take limousines and VIP shuttle and full bus across the border for an event. Now, I think there would just be more of a demand,” Czudner said.

“There’s some logistics that need to be worked out from a payment perspective, but then also from a security perspective with our friends at CBA and CBP. Your hope and mine is that all the paperwork is done properly.”

Transit riders are also weighing in on what comes next.

“I think that they should have just kept the old one going. It’s been here since I was little. It’s probably been here before that,” said Windsor resident Shelley Jones.

“If it gives Windsor some employment, that would be great,” said fellow resident Maria McNamara.

Naman Goyal, who uses Transit Windsor, said he thinks the private sector may be better positioned to run the route.

“A privately owned company will do their work more efficiently. The government already has many things on their mind, so they are not putting their attention toward it. So, like, private companies will do I think much better,” he said.

Michael Metz, a transit enthusiast from Chicago, travelled to Windsor specifically to ride the tunnel bus before it ends.

“This is a very unique thing that obviously is only happening here in Windsor and only in Detroit. None of this is happening in Montreal. None of this is happening in Niagara Falls. And none of this is happening in Vancouver, obviously,” Metz said.

“So, this is a very huge thing, especially since it’s happening so close to home for me. I thought I just had to come see it.”

Metz said he would consider using the new service but would like to see how it performs.

“I think it would be a good idea initially. I’d have to see how they pan out on their on-time performance,” he said.

“I do think it’d be better in the public hands just generally because there might be more of a motivation to run it faster.”

Meanwhile, advocacy group Activate Transit Windsor Essex is planning a farewell event for the current tunnel bus with Detroit-based Transportation Riders United.

“To commemorate the end of the commuter service we’ll be having a joint event with our counterparts, the Detroit Transportation Riders United. They’ll be coming here to Rock Bottom Bar and Grill this coming Saturday … starting at 7 p.m.,” said ATWE director of advocacy and campaigns Josh Sankarlal.

Sankarlal said his group is skeptical of the private company stepping in.

“Our members are skeptical of this service. Who is running it? Certainly it’s really interesting that it came out just after the decision was made at council, like, relatively speaking,” he said.

“They haven’t gotten a lot of information from the website. And so, I think there’s just a lot of questions around it.”