Specialized Transit Program

The Municipality of Greenstone’s Specialized Transit Program is a door-to-door, pre-booked, shared ride, accessible public transit service for eligible persons in Greenstone. The Specialized Transit Program will run as a pilot project for one-year (April 2024 - April 2025), after which time Council will determine if the program is viable.

The service provides both out of town medical trips and in town transportation for eligible residents. All riders must register prior to booking.

OUT-OF-TOWN MEDICAL TRIPS

The out-of-town service will provide transportation for medical trips to the city of Thunder Bay or similar distance. Appointments must be with a regulated health professional.

Eligible medical trips are same day service, on a first come/first served basis with no guarantee for availability. A minimum 48 hours notice must be given for booking of transportation trips. To better accommodate out-of-town medical appointment time requirements, residents may be required to be picked up at a central location.

Out-of-town medical transportation will be available to eligible residents on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for appointments booked between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Riders should ensure they are prepared for inclement weather, delays, road closures, etc. Please carry all necessary medications with you, wear clothing appropriate for the weather, and pack a snack/drink.

IN-TOWN SERVICE

In-town service is available in the Wards of Geraldton and Longlac. The service will provide transportation to the grocery store, pharmacy, post office, and in town medical appointments.

Longlac schedule - Mondays 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Geraldton schedule - Fridays 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

If there is no ridership to out-of-town or in-town medical appointments, transportation is available to seniors' activities within their community; however, this is not a guarantee. The hours of service would be Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Geraldton and Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Longlac.

Riders should ensure they are prepared for inclement weather, delays, road closures, etc. Please carry all necessary medications with you and wear clothing appropriate for the weather.

ELIGIBILITY

Residents of the Municipality of Greenstone who are seniors (55+).

Residents of the Municipality of Greenstone with a disability identified in the Ontario Human Rights Code. Qualification is not based on the resident’s income or age.

There are two categories of disability eligibility for which a resident can register for:

Permanent - A person with a permanent/chronic disability
Temporary - A person with a temporary disability who requires access for a defined time period

FARES

Fares are based on the 2025 Fees and Charges By-Law (By-Law 24-72 Schedule C) and are subject to change with Council approval.

Out-of-town medical trips (Thunder Bay or similar distance):

Charged at the rate set by the Ontario Northern Health Travel Grant per patient ward.
If a companion is required there is no additional fee. Companion requirement must be prearranged.

In-town service:

$2.50 per person one-way within ward
$8.00 per person one-way between Geraldton and Longlac

In-town trip fares can be paid with exact change to the driver.

In-town trip pre-paid cards (10 round trips) can be purchased at the Longlac Ward Office or the Municipal Administration Office (Geraldton).

Eligible riders to out of town medical appointments seeking medical specialist services or procedures at a Ministry funded health care facility as per Northern Health Travel Grant (NHTG) guidelines, may submit their completed and signed NHTG Application to the Municipality for third party reimbursement.

If riders are denied Northern Health Travel Grant reimbursement, the full fee must be paid in full.

A 10% reduction in fees is available for eligible low-income persons, provided that following criteria is met:

The client is a senior (55+) or has a disability; and
The client annually completes a Specialized Transit Registration Form; and
The client annually shows proof of Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP); and
The client is not eligible for the Northern Health Travel Grant Program.