Windsorites hop on Tunnel Bus as service returns after more than 2 years
After more than two years, the only municipally-run, cross-border bus service in the country is back on the road.
Transit Windsor’s Tunnel Bus ran its first routes Sunday after the brakes were slammed on the service in 2020.
Among those who took the opportunity to use the service was Kathleen Archer who said she rode the Tunnel Bus twice a month before the pandemic.
When the service was stopped two years ago, Archer said, visiting the U.S. became an expensive challenge.
“It was horrible. I don’t have a car so when I did go across a couple times since the border’s been open, I’d take a cab. It’s $100 that way and over $100 coming back from Detroit,” said Archer.
The Tunnel Bus gives riders the opportunity to cross into Detroit without a car for $15 round-trip.
“I can finally go see my best friend when I want to. It’s freedom,” said Archer.
The new Tunnel Bus schedule is scaled back, however, compared to pre-pandemic.
From Monday through Saturday, the last bus leaves Windsor at an earlier departure time of 9 p.m.
Additionally, the special event service is not expected to return until early next year.
But for people who boarded the Tunnel Bus for its first day back, they said being able to use the service in any capacity is much-needed.
”There’s much more contact again between Canada and the U.S. I think it’s really a pity we lost that — but we’re trying to gain it back,” said Jennifer Tymoski.
Tymowsi, who has not crossed the land border in three years, said she boarded the Tunnel Bus on Sunday to see the Detroit Public Theatre and enjoy some Motor City eats.
“[I’m] having brunch with some friends that I haven’t seen in quite a while,” she added.
The Tunnel Bus route starts from the downtown terminal on Chatham Street before going into Detroit on an hourly basis.
More details on scheduling and pre-boarding rules can be found on the City of Windsor’s website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada tracked suspected Chinese spy balloon over Canadian airspace since last weekend: sources
The suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that was found floating over sensitive military sites in the western United States had been tracked by Canada's government since last weekend as it passed through Canadian airspace, sources tell CTV News.

Oldest preserved vertebrate brain found in 319-million-year-old fish fossil
The oldest preserved vertebrate brain has been found in a 319-million-year-old fossilized fish skull that was removed from an English coal mine over a century ago.
Former NHL-er Ted Nolan among Indigenous players honoured in new hockey card series
It took 40 years, but former NHL player and coach Ted Nolan is now one of eight Indigenous ex-NHL-ers being honoured hockey trading cards as a part of Upper Deck's First Peoples Rookie Card series.
B.C. man who was mistaken for target, shot by police in 2013 has lawsuit dismissed
A B.C. man who was mistaken for the target in a police takedown and shot by an officer in 2013 has had his lawsuit alleging negligence dismissed.
Bodies are those of 3 rappers missing nearly 2 weeks: Detroit police
Three bodies found in a vacant Detroit-area apartment building have been identified as those of three aspiring rappers who went missing nearly two weeks ago, police said Friday.
Maid's son tells judge Alex Murdaugh took US$4M for her death
For much of disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh's double murder trial, witnesses have talked about a generous and loving man -- but prosecutors want jurors to know that same man stole over US$4 million from his housekeeper's relatives after she died at work, and killed his wife and son to cover up his crimes.
Japanese prime minister's aide leaving over LGBTQ2S+ remarks
A senior aide to Japan's prime minister is being dismissed after making discriminatory remarks about LGBTQ2S+ people.
Jury: Musk didn't defraud investors with 2018 Tesla tweets
A jury on Friday decided Elon Musk didn't deceive investors with his 2018 tweets about electric automaker Tesla.
Stars disappearing before our eyes faster than ever: report
A new research from a citizen science program suggests that stars are disappearing before our eyes at an 'astonishing rate.'