Transit Windsor

Infobox Bus transit
name = Transit Windsor

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logo_size =

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image_size =
image_caption = Windsor International Transit Terminal
company_slogan = Transit Windsor ... driving today for a better tomorrow
parent =
founded = 1977 (Predecessor SW&A was founded in 1872)
headquarters = 3700 North Service Road East,
Windsor, Ontario
locale =
service_area = Windsor, Ontario, Detroit, Michigan
service_type = Public Transit
alliance =
routes = 14
destinations =
bus_stops = Approximately 1200
terminals = Windsor International Transit Terminal(WITT)
lounge =
fleet = 99 buses
ridership = Over 6 million(over 25000 daily)
fuel_type = Diesel(Hybrid as well starting in 2009)
operator = City of Windsor
general manager = Penny Williams
website = [http://www.citywindsor.ca/000599.asp Official Website]

Transit Windsor is a company that provides public transportation in the city of Windsor, Ontario. Transit Windsor provides transportation to more than 6 million passengers each year, covering an area of 121 square miles and a population of 218,000. Transit Windsor operates a cross border service between the downtown areas of Windsor and Detroit via the Tunnel Bus, as well as service to events at Detroit's Comerica Park,Cobo Hall and Ford Field.

History

Transit Windsor was started on November 1, 1977 with 90 transit buses, one double-decker bus from England, three highway coaches, and two suburban buses. Before 1977, the company was called the "Sandwich, Windsor & Amherstburg Railway Company" or the "SW&A".

1872 to 1939

SW&A started in 1872, using horse-drawn streetcars. In 1920, SW&A switched to electric streetcars. However, the company began phasing out streetcars during the 1930s and began using motor buses. The streetcar service ended altogether in 1939.

Remains of the streetcar network can be found at the intersection of Sandwich and Mill streets, where the crosswalks of Sandwich street still retain their original streetcar rails from 1939. Also a business on University Ave.(formerly London Street) called "the Junction" is one of the original streetcar barns that was used by SW&A before they ended use of the streetcars.

1940s to 1960s

In the 1940s, SW&A was running Fords and twin coaches.

During the 1950s, they stopped the River Canard line (1951), the 6 mile Tecumseh route (1956), and the Amherstburg line (1958).

In the 1960s they ran 14 routes:
1. Crosstown, 2. Dougall Avenue, 3. Erie Street, 4. Highway No.2, 5. Lauzon Road, 6. Malden Road, 7. Howard Avenue, 8. Ottawa, 9. Pillette, 10. St. Mary's Academy, 11. Sanatorium, 12. Sandwich East, 13. Tecumseh-Drouillard, 14. Wellington-Campbell

1977 to present

After changing to Transit Windsor in 1977, the company began operating GMC New Looks and GM highway coaches.

In the 1980s, Transit Windsor bought 30ft and 40ft Orion 01.501 and 01.508 buses and 40ft GM New Looks. The company also purchased GM Classics and MCI Classics, as well as an Orion 05.501 demo.

Transit Windsor still uses its 1978, 1979, and 1982 GMC New Looks, its 1984 and 1985 Orion 01.508s, its 1991 MCI Classic, and its 1991 Orion 05.501.

In 1997 they purchased their first Low Floor buses, the Nova Bus LFS. Low floor buses are the only 'brand new' purchases that have been made since then.

There are 9 buses in Transit Windsor's roster that are second-hand buses from other transit systems. 515 and 523 from Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT), 554 from St. Thomas Transit, 499 (Demo unit) from MTA New York City Transit and NJ Transit, and 565-569 from Durham Region Transit.

On Sunday, June 24, 2007, both Transit Windsor and Greyhound began using the newly constructed Windsor International Transit Terminal (WITT). [ [http://www.newswire.ca/fgov/en/releases/archive/July2007/20/c8275.html Canada NewsWire Group: Grand Opening Of New Downtown Windsor Bus Terminal] ] The new facility was built to replace the former bus station which was in disrepair. The routes that run through WITT include the Transway 1A, Transway 1C, Central 3 West, Ottawa 4, Dominion 5, Dougall 6, Walkerville 8, Parent 14 and the Tunnel Bus. The terminal is located at 300 Chatham Street West behind the Art Gallery of Windsor.

Fleet

Buses

As of July 2008 the fleet consisted of:

Notes
:The Transway Express only runs weekdays in the morning going westbound.:The Central 3 West runs Monday-Saturday nights and Sundays when the Central 3 does not run.:The South Windsor 7, Lauzon 10, and Parent 14 do not run on Sundays.

References

* [http://www.citywindsor.ca/001320.asp Transit Windsors' long history]

External links

* [http://www.citywindsor.ca/000599.asp Transit Windsor homepage]