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
Inflation 'turning the corner' after multiple rate increases: BoC governor
After raising interest rates eight consecutive times, Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem told an audience in Quebec City on Tuesday that inflation is showing signs of 'turning the corner' and that the coming year 'will be different.'

PM Trudeau presents premiers $196B health-care funding deal, with $46B in new funding over the next decade
The federal government is pledging to increase health funding to Canada's provinces and territories by $196.1 billion over the next 10 years, in a long-awaited deal aimed at addressing Canada's crumbling health-care systems with $46.2 billion in new funding.
Before and after: How Toronto's MARZ uses AI to make motion picture magic
While much of internet is still buzzing about the wonders of ChatGPT, a Toronto-based technology and visual effects company is making its own splash in Hollywood using artificial intelligence.
'Risky' for Ottawa to take strings-attached approach to health-care negotiations: Jean Charest
As negotiations continue between premiers and the federal government, former Quebec premier Jean Charest is criticizing the feds' string-attached approach to health-care funding, stating that Ottawa should not be in the business of operating health-care systems.
A sensor you draw with a pencil could be used for 'smart diapers,' contactless switches and respiratory monitors
We may soon be able to detect humidity levels, respiratory changes or a too-wet diaper, all with a new type of sensor — one created by drawing with a pencil on specially-treated paper.
LIVE @ 9 ET | Biden says in State of Union that US is 'unbowed, unbroken'
U.S. President Joe Biden is using his State of the Union address Tuesday night to call on Republicans to work with him to 'finish the job' of rebuilding the economy and uniting the nation as he seeks to overcome pessimism in the country and navigate political divisions in Washington.
How more than 100 women realized they may have dated, been deceived by the same man
An Ontario man is being accused of changing his name, profession and life story multiple times to potentially more than 100 women online before leaving some out thousands of dollars.
Texas man jailed in Dallas monkey case says he'd do it again
A 24-year-old man now linked to an unusual string of crimes that kept the Dallas Zoo on the lookout for missing animals told police that after he swiped two monkeys from their enclosure, he took them onto the city's light rail system to make his getaway, court records show.
Balloons and drones among 768 Canadian UFO reports from 2022: researcher
Balloons and drones were among 768 reported UFO sightings in Canada last year, according to Winnipeg-based researcher Chris Rutkowski, who also found that eight per cent of all cases remained unexplained.