A bus line that used to run from Elora through Fergus and into Guelph, finishing its route at the University of Guelph, has seen a push for a return from a local.

The line courtesy of Elliott Bus Lines was shut down at the outset of the pandemic. Kaela Anderson, who has lived in Elora for over 20 years, started a Facebook page to gather interest in a return for the bus. Anderson says she has also had conversations with several township staff. She also stated she called Elliot Bus Lines, who said they'd need an average of 30 commuters a day to consider resuming service.

While she believes there are several benefits to a return, including reducing congestion in traffic and the perks for residents with low mobility, she believes the issue in part stems from the fact that those in control of the local transit options aren't affected by their operation, or lack thereof.

"A lot of people who are making these decisions, about whether to have public transportation or not, are people that don't use it," Anderson pointed out.

"So, we have these people who have the privilege of having a car, or who have always lived here and not needed a car, that just assume that that's the way it should remain," she concluded.

She says she believes the impact of the bus wouldn't be limited to its passengers.

"The thing about a bus is it also benefits people who aren't using the bus," Anderson said.

"A bus can take between 50 to 70 people. That's 50 to 70 people - 50 to 70 cars that aren't on the road for that morning commute," she added.

Anderson said that 60 per cent of Centre Wellington residents commute to Guelph or Waterloo for work each morning.

She also said you used to need to "know someone who knew someone" to find out about the bus. She added she's hoping to see more promotional work done, be it through signage or social media, if the bus came back, in order to spread the word.

There are currently 28 followers and 16 people have liked the Facebook page.

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