WE THE NORTHLAND AGAIN THIS SUMMER

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

MUSKOKA — The train is coming back.

But don’t get too excited, yet(?).

It’s not the Northlander — at least not the train that that many are dreaming of — after Premier Doug Ford promised it. And, of course, he’s never promised anything to Muskokans he can’t deliver.

No, it’s the GO Train — kinda.

Consider it trains, planes, automobiles and buses, they’re all headed here this summer.

With two airlines now regularly landing in Muskoka on weekends — on top of the hundred of thousands of cars, trucks, SUVs and touring coaches — GO Transit is jumping on the bandwagon again this year.

On your mark, get set GO June 28 from T.O. to Muskoka.

Starting June 28 GO Transit and Ontario Northland will partner for a second year to offer combined train-bus service north from the GTA, to Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville and North Bay Friday afternoons, with a return trip on Sunday.

“GO Transit-Ontario Northland service between Toronto and Muskoka is a convenient and affordable way for people to escape Toronto for the weekend and enjoy the outstanding natural beauty and local attractions of our area,” said Norman Miller, MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka in  release Wednesday.

He said that on Friday afternoons between June 28 and Aug. 30, passengers can buy a combined ticket to take the 4:10 p.m. GO train from Union Station to Allandale Waterfront GO Station om Barrie to meet an Ontario Northland coach that will continue to Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville and North Bay. Return bus trips will connect with the GO train leaving Allandale Waterfront GO Station at 4:20 p.m. every Sunday from June 30th to September 1st.

To purchase tickets, visit Ontario Northland’s website at www.ontarionorthland.ca.

In Barrie you can board the Northland bus to Muskoka.

“Connecting GO Transit and Ontario Northland is a smart use of our province’s existing public transportation network to make taking public transit easier and faster for people,” said Miller. “This is another way that our government is making Ontario open for business and supporting local tourism in Muskoka.”

The Friday 4:10 p.m. Barrie train from Union Station to Allandale Waterfront GO Station at 5:56 p.m. will meet an Ontario Northland bus at Allandale Waterfront GO Station, which will depart for Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville and North Bay at 6:10 p.m. The Sunday Ontario Northland bus from North Bay will arrive at Allandale Waterfront GO Station at 4:00 p.m. in time to connect with the 4:20 p.m. GO train arriving at Union Station in Toronto at 6:03 p.m.

A one-way ticket from Union Station to Huntsville is almost $10 less expensive than a regular Ontario Northland ticket and the addition of this service offers a trip at a time that should be convenient for visitors.

Instead of tapping a PRESTO card, customers will simply need to show their ticket purchased online, when requested. For more information visit www.GOTransit.com/Muskoka.