Launched in December 2020, Huron Shores Area Transit (HSAT) operates an inter-community public transit service linking its transit partners – Lambton Shores, South Huron, North Middlesex, Bluewater and Kettle & Stony Point First Nation – with each other and Sarnia, London, Goderich and Strathroy. The fully accessible service provides an important regional, accessible, convenient and affordable transit service for seniors, students, workers and youth for employment, education, health and wellness, and leisure.
HSAT is a member of Southwest Community Transit (SCT / ride-sct.ca), an association of member municipalities and non-profit organizations in Southwest Ontario with rural transit systems. With HSAT, members include County of Brant/Brant Transit, Grey County/Grey Transit Route, Middlesex County Connect, Norfolk County/Ride Norfolk, Perth County/Perth County Connect, Strathroy-Caradoc/Inter-Community Transit, and Tillsonburg/T:GO.
Working together with the South Central Ontario Region Economic Development Corporation (SCOR EDC), transit members seek to increase travel connections between member services, promote inter-community connections, share best practices for planning and delivery of services, and identify potential operating efficiencies and capital savings by purchasing as a single entity.
The HSAT service area has a population of 37,686 (2021 Census) and covers 1,519.5 km2 (687.5 sq. mi.). The geographical area served is more than twice the size of the City of Toronto (630.2 km2 / 243.3 sq mi), with just two 20-person buses and four fixed-route bus routes. Each bus can accommodate two wheelchairs and two bikes.
HSAT is funded by an Ontario Community Transportation Grant (CTA program):
- 2018 – 2023 (March 31): $2 million
- 2023 (April 1) – 2025 (March 31): $1,065,946
- 2024: $318,169.50 – “top up” funding to cover cost increases since the original grant amount was determined in 2018.
The funding was part of $14 million the province committed in support of public transit to 38 Ontario communities.
Fast Facts
- $15 London or Sarnia to Goderich, $10 regular long-distance fare, $5 local fare.
- Children 12 and under ride free with an adult.
- 2 buses.
- 4 bus routes.
- 22 towns/villages served.
- 51 bus stops, plus one flag stop.
- Bus Hub is located at Sobeys Plaza (Grand Bend).
- 25,592 trips/boardings in 2024.
- Sarnia to Grand Bend Route 1 is the busiest route.
- Average Monthly Ridership 2,028.
- Summer Bus runs July and August to accommodate beachgoers travelling Route 2 from London to Grand Bend.
- Employee Shuttles run July through October to accommodate seasonal workers.
For more information, view the latest annual report (PDF).
Transit Advisory Committee
The Transit Advisory Committee emerged in 2019 from the earlier 2018 Huron Shores Transit Steering Committee, which formed as a grassroots advocacy group from business owners and organizations and social agencies who over a number of years had identified affordable housing and public transit as major opportunities for rural community sustainability.
The role of the Transit Advisory Committee is to be a sounding board and feedback mechanism for the Transit Coordinator and to connect Huron Shores Area Transit to its constituent municipal partners (Lambton Shores, Kettle & Stony Point First Nation, South Huron, North Middlesex and Bluewater including local health and social agencies, business groups, service clubs).
Committee Members
Members on the Committee represent the municipal partners, key businesses and social agencies.
- Bruce Shaw – retired Executive Director of Community Living South Huron, former principal of South Huron District High School, long-time Grand Bend Rotary Club member
- Cindy Maxfield – Health Promotion and Partnership Coordinator with Grand Bend Area Community Health Centre
- Darren Boyle – Director with Grand Bend & Area Chamber of Commerce, hockey and softball coach
- Doug Cook – Mayor of Lambton Shores and official representative from the municipality
- Glen Baillie – Chair, Past-President of Grand Bend & Area Chamber of Commerce, Lambton Shores Councillor, local business owner, and community volunteer
- Janet Ferguson – Treasurer of Lambton Shores and managing supervisor of Huron Shores Area Transit
- Kyle Walker – Job Developer with Cooperative Education and Employment Ontario at Lambton College
- Lorri Kerrigan – Social Planner in the Social Planning and Children’s Services Department for the County of Lambton
- Lynne VanHaaren – recently retired Firm Administrator at MPW Chartered Professional Accountants LLP, Club Manager of Forest Curling Club, long-time Director on Forest BIA Board of Directors
- Rebekah Msuya-Collison – Municipal Clerk of South Huron and official representative from the municipality
- Alaina Monkhouse – Executive Director of Southwind Corporate Development Inc., enhancing the First Nation’s stature as a business oriented community, official representative from the First Nation
- Winona Bailey – Bluewater Councillor, official representative from the municipality, community volunteer
