AVONMORE – In a statement released at the end of June, Avonmore based, Delaney Bus Lines Ltd., announced they would be closing their doors and were looking for another company to take over their routes.
Delaney Bus Lines has been a staple in the community, growing under the guidance of Vincent Delaney and then his son Michael Delaney. It was under the direction of Michael Delaney that the company began chartered service in 1979 when he began Stormont Tours. Since then, Delaney has grown in the community even opening a newly constructed facility in 2012.
The company which serviced both local school routes and charter/commuter services was bought out by Roxborough Bus Lines. Roxborough did not have interest in taking over Delaney’s commuter and chartered coaches, and 417 Bus Lines of Casselman stepped in, explained vice-president of 417 Bus Lines, Marc Laplante. He said the company has applied for the takeover of scheduled services and chartered routes and will take over the commuter run to Ottawa on Aug. 1. The commuter service also includes routes to the city from Finch and Alexandria.
Delaney’s announcement was a major concern to commuters using the service to get to and from Ottawa everyday. Laplante said 417 Bus Lines fielded a number of calls from concerned passengers and this helped in their incentive to take over. The run from Cornwall is close to full each day with roughly 50 passengers.
For the foreseeable future Laplante said the routes and times will remain the same. The company has bought three of the coaches to start the runs in August and hired the Delaney drivers to continue their routes.
417 Bus Lines has been well established in Casselman with services running from Russell, Embrun and Limoges. Laplante aimed to ease the passengers’ concerns and ensures the SDG runs will remain operational.
Delaney Bus Lines general manager Mark Begg was not available before press time to comment.
