Getting around the Greater Saint John area is about to change for you and your daily commute. The Fundy Regional Service Commission is developing a new transit system to connect Saint John with its surrounding communities. The commission shared project details in a letter during Monday night’s city council meeting. You can read the original report from CBC News.

The Daily Commute

Right now, about 20,000 vehicles travel into Saint John every day. A 2024 University of New Brunswick study highlights the region’s heavy reliance on cars. Researchers surveyed 832 residents across the area. They found only 10 percent of people use public transit as their primary transportation. Over 60 percent never use public transit because of limited availability and poor schedules. However, over 70 percent of respondents say they will use public transit if it becomes more accessible and frequent.

Mayor Reardon Weighs In

Saint John Mayor Donna Reardon sees the value in a connected region. She believes a better regional transit service will reduce the number of cars on the road.

“I think there are opportunities there for sure,” Reardon told reporters.

Reardon notes the city cannot expand its current transit service without hurting existing routes.

“We say that frequency is freedom,” she said. “On the money that we have, we can’t expand it because we can’t go for a longer period of time between buses, because it just becomes useless.”

Filling the Transit Gaps

The commission plans to integrate new options with current systems while prioritizing areas outside the immediate Saint John transit zone. The service area covers the Fundy Rural District, Grand Bay Westfield, Saint John, Rothesay, Quispamsis, Hampton, and Fundy St. Martins.

Currently, transit options in these outlying areas remain sparse. The Fundy Rural District relies on a volunteer driver program called Urban Rural Rides. Rothesay and Quispamsis use the 52 Kennebecasis Valley Comex. This service only runs four times a day and stops completely on weekends. Fundy St. Martins lacks any regular transit service.

What Happens Next

The commission will open the floor for public feedback soon. Officials expect to complete the final transit plan by August or September.

Frequently Asked Questions

What communities are included in the new transit plan?

The plan covers the Fundy Rural District, Grand Bay Westfield, Saint John, Rothesay, Quispamsis, Hampton, and Fundy St. Martins.

When will the transit plan be finished?

The Fundy Regional Service Commission expects to complete the plan by August or September.

Why is a new transit plan necessary?

A recent study shows the region relies heavily on personal vehicles. Over 70 percent of surveyed residents say they will use public transit if it offers better accessibility and more frequent schedules.