The Independent Staff

If you were hoping to catch a bus from Petrolia to Lambton College this week, you’ll have to wait a little longer.

Petrolia Council decided to set aside $13,000 in seed money for a service which would take Petrolia and surround residents into Sarnia via a school bus each day. Councilor Liz Welch first suggested the idea saying people without transportation could more readily attend Lambton College that way. The service could also be used by residents with appointments in Sarnia.

Petrolia CAO Manny Baron says town officials talked with surrounding municipalities during the Association of Municipalities conference about contributing to the project. So far, Baron hasn’t heard whether there will be any financial help given. Bus users are also expected to pay a fee for the service.

Baron says it was hoped the bus service would be ready for September, but town officials have not be able to contact local bus operators, who until now have been busy preparing for school.

“We’re hoping within the next couple of weeks to get talking with them,” says Baron. “We want the service to be good without rushing it.”

Baron hopes the route and rates can be set to begin service in October.