It sounded like a good idea – a transit service linking Camlachie residents to Sarnia and London.

But Plympton-Wyoming council has turned the idea down, saying it already has a transit contract with Huron Shores Transit, which, in the future, could serve the area.

Plympton-Wyoming CAO Adam Sobanski, in a report to council, says the municipality was approached
by Middlesex County to be part of Middlesex County Connect. The system would serve the community with a route, which connects Sarnia to London via Wyoming and other Middlesex County communities.”

And it would provide service to Camlachie, something the current contract with Huron Shores does not do, at least not yet.

Middlesex was looking for about $8743 a year for the service from Plympton-Wyoming.

“While the MCC proposal offers expanded services, the duplication of existing routes limits local benefit and does not justify the financial commitment required,” writes Sobanski. For some councillors the idea seemed a little tempting. “Living out in that area, I think great to have a pickup in Camlachie… where the population is, down the new subdivisions or right in Camlachie,” said Councillor Bob Woolvett.

But, he wasn’t convinced joining Middlesex was a good idea.

“With the pickup we have now, if we could adjust it accordingly, I think would be much better for us than to try to go with two different outfits.”

Sobanski says Huron Shores Transit is open to the idea of more stops in the future.

“We’ve been in ongoing discussions with the Huron Shore system and although there’s not an opportunity to add a stop in Camlachie as of today, we are seeing notable growth in the Wyoming area as far as ridership,” he said.

If the growth continues, expanding into Camlachie could be considered, Sobanski added.

“As I understand it, bringing transit is a priority for the Camlachie area. I will continue the discussions with Huron Shores to see where expansion is available,” he said.

Sarnia was also considering linking up with the service at a cost of about $379,000 a year. It will look at the proposal Oct. 20.

Sobanski says if the city turns down the project, the county may consider whether it should provide the service to the whole county.

“However, I doubt county council would approve it, as they are only starting the research into potential rural transit now,” Sobanski said.