Council continues support for GOST bus service

CENTRE WELLINGTON – Council here decided at its Sept. 28 meeting to extend funding for the Guelph Owen Sound Transportation (GOST) service within the township.

GOST services provide residents with a transportation option, offering twice-daily travelling north and south along Highway 6.

In May 2018, Owen Sound received a grant of up to $1.4 million from Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation to support the establishment of a bus connection between Owen Sound and Guelph.

This funding announcement coincided with transportation funding provided to the county, the Sept. 28 council report states.

In 2025, the province announced funding for the GOST service would be extended.

“At that time, Owen Sound circulated a license amending agreement to partner municipalities to support continued operation of the service,” the report states.

The agreement expired on March 31 of this year.

A further license amending agreement to extend the service until Aug. 31 was approved by council on March 23.

The City of Owen Sound began circulating a further license amending agreement stating an extension to the current agreement until June 30, 2027.

“It’s nice to see the GOST funding be extended,” councillor Jennifer Adams said.

“Recently I’ve met quite a few people that are taking the GOST and it really is needed and I just want to see it continue,” councillor Lisa MacDonald said.

Current fare examples include:

– Fergus to Guelph Central Station, $5 one way;

– Fergus to Owen Sound Transit Terminal, $20 one way;

– Elora to Guelph Central Station, $5 one way; and

– Elora to Owen Sound Transit Terminal, $20 one way.