‘We need a better cost recovery’: Tunnel bus to live on for at least one more year

Windsor city council considered the tunnel bus a cost savings, but they will likely let it live on for at least a year, CTV's Bob Bellacicco explains.

Councillor Renaldo Agostino believes that the tunnel bus is a big part of the two-nation destination opportunity between Windsor and Detroit, but understands the game is changing.

“The tunnel bus is losing four to nothing in the third period. I think we can score four goals,” Agostino told CTV News. “Can it be better? Absolutely, it could be better but the issue I have is that once you get rid of it, it doesn’t come back.”

That’s why he’s happy a 7-4 vote Monday saved the tunnel bus and special events service for at least one more year. However, the rider fee increased to 20 buck each way.

Mayor Drew Dilkens and councillors Ed Sleiman, JoAnn Gignac and Mark McKenzie voted to axe the tunnel bus and keep the tax increase to residents at 2.9 per cent - with keeping the service, $1.4 million dollars in potential savings goes away, and the tax levy goes up to 3.1 per cent.

“It’s a great service that we offer in the city of Windsor and it connects the two communities but I’m also realistic and I know that there’s a huge cost here,” said coucillor McKenzie. “I’ve said from the beginning, we need a better cost recovery.”

Mayor Drew Dilkens has repeatedly said funding a service that benefits Detroit more than Windsor does not make financial sense for city taxpayers.

“We’re providing this service to basically help people go to Detroit and spend their money. It brings almost no one back to Windsor,” Dilkens pointed out on Mornings with Mike and Meg on AM800 Tuesday morning. “Council said, up the fare, keep it going for another year and let’s evaluate then.”

A member of Active Transit Windsor Essex says he welcomes an opportunity to have a conversation with stakeholders on both sides of the border. “We can have a discussion at least to try and figure out how to make the tunnel bus work, that everyone can have agreement on so I’m looking forward to that conversation.”

Ridership has slowly rebounded from the pandemic.

When asked if he would veto the amendment Dilkens told reporters Monday he is considering it - he has ten days to decide.

If Dilkens were to use his veto to terminate the tunnel bus service, council could override that decision with an 8 to 3 vote - meaning one of the councilors, Gignac, McKenzie or Sleiman, would have to flip.

Ward 8 city councillor Gary Kaschak referred to the 48-hour rule he used as a minor hockey and baseball coach when parents weren’t happy with a decision.

“Sleep on it. Think about that decision and if you still want to come out and talk to me about it, or you want to complain or you want a veto, let’s have that conversation after a good moment of reckoning.”

If Dilkens does use his veto power on the tunnel bus, the tax would drop back to 2.99 per cent and would be the first time he has used that power to make a decision.