City Seeking Approval to Extend Guelph-Owen Sound Transit (GOST) Bus Service

The City of Owen Sound is working with regional partners and service providers to support an extension of the Guelph Owen Sound Transportation (GOST) bus service.

GOST is an intercommunity public transit service connecting Owen Sound and Guelph with additional stops in Chatsworth, Williamsford, Durham, Mount Forest, Arthur, Fergus and Elora. 

Funding for the project was secured through the Ontario Government’s Community Transportation Grant Program, which stipulated that all funds be spent by March 31, 2025. However, Owen Sound did not fully expend its allocated funding and generated more fare revenue than expected, creating an opportunity to utilize the remaining funds to extend the service. 

Owen Sound has indicated its willingness to use the remainder of its funds within the program, pending an amendment to the original agreement that would permit the use of those funds beyond the March 31, 2025, deadline. The length of the extension of service could be for up to one year. 

The City is awaiting confirmation from Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation on the status of the amending agreement and will provide an update to all partners as soon as possible.

For more information, please contact Heidi Jennen, Supervisor of Environmental Services, at 519-376-4440 ext. 3223 or email hjennen@owensound.ca.

Quick Facts:

• Owen Sound was awarded a total of $1,921,041.43 to support the development of an intercommunity bus service as part of the Community Transportation Grant Program.
• In 2024, GOST provided over 12,000 unique rides, with service peaking in the summer months and showing positive growth throughout the year as the service was adopted by more customers.
• In addition to GOST, the City of Owen Sound offers public transit within the city as well as mobility transit services.

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