A new public transportation service is headed to the area from Moonbeam to Opasatika including Kapuskasing starting next month. The Flex Shuttle service is four year rural transportation pilot project that was funded by a provincial grant, as well as area municipalities. Economic Development Officer for Opasatika-Val Rita Harty Alain Robichaud says the Flex Shuttle will offer something very unique for people.
“It’s going to be a door-to-door service and people will have to call a day in advance to book their ride,” said Robichaud. “Pick up will start at 9 am in their designated municipalities and homes.”
Robichaud said this service was needed for this area and is thrilled that the municipalities have all worked together.
“We want to work with everyone in the region and this is a nice example,” he said. “We are going to offer a unique service to the people of the area.”
The shuttle will travel twice a week to the neighboring municipalities of Moonbeam, Opasatika and
Val Rita-Harty to pick-up residents at their home starting at 9:00 a.m. It will then proceed to bring every passenger to their desired location in Kapuskasing. Kapuskasing residents can also benefit from this service. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., every day of the week, the shuttle will travel within the town
limits. Starting at 2 p.m., the FLEX shuttle will make its way back to the neighboring municipalities
to bring passengers to their homes.
For the launch, every passenger will ride for free during October and as of November they will have to pay to use it or purchase a bus pass.
There will be public information sessions on the Flex Shuttle beginning tomorrow (Saturday) in Opasatika from 2-3 pm at the former St. Antoine Catholic School The sessions will continue in Moonbeam on Monday, Sept. 16 from 7-8 pm at the Raymond-Boucher Community Center, in Kapuskasing on Wednesday, Sept. 18 from 11:30 to 1 pm at the Golden Age Center and in Val-Rita Harty on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 1-2 pm at the community center. For further information visit www.flexbus.ca.
