Transportation in Thunder Bay, Ontario: A Comprehensive Guide

Thunder Bay is a beautiful city surrounded by nature, and getting around is relatively easy. The city has a public transportation system that's convenient and affordable.

There are several options for getting to and from the airport, including taxis and ride-sharing services. You can also rent a car or take a shuttle bus.

To get around the city, you can use Thunder Bay Transit, which operates buses on several routes. A single fare costs $2.75, and you can also buy a day pass for $6.75.

Thunder Bay is also a bike-friendly city, with many bike lanes and trails.

Public transit has been a part of Thunder Bay's transportation scene since 1892. The city's transit system has evolved over the years, with streetcars being replaced by electric trolley buses in the late 1940s.

Thunder Bay Transit provides 19 routes across the city's urban area, with bus frequencies ranging from 15 to 45 minutes. The base fare is $3.25, and there are other passes available for frequent users.

You can catch the bus at one of Thunder Bay Transit's two major terminals, located in both downtown cores. There are also three minor hubs at key points in the city, including Lakehead University, Confederation College, and Intercity Shopping Centre.

TB Transit operates bus routes across Thunder Bay, including the Fort William 52 and Thunder Bay routes.

The longest TB Transit bus route is 4, spanning over 29 km and having 85 stops, from City Hall Terminal to Frederica & Brown.

TB Transit's shortest line is 16, covering only 4 km with 13 stops, from City Hall Terminal to Confederation College.

The most popular lines for TB Transit are the 9, according to Moovit Insights.

Public transit has been a part of Thunder Bay's transportation system since 1892. The city's transit system has a rich history, with streetcars operating in both Port Arthur and Fort William until the late 1940s.

Thunder Bay Transit provides 19 routes across the city's urban area, with bus frequencies ranging from 15 to 45 minutes on most routes. This frequency is convenient for commuters and visitors alike.

The base fare for Thunder Bay Transit is $3.25, making it an affordable option for those who need to get around the city. There are also other passes available for regular users.

Thunder Bay Transit operates two major terminals, one in each downtown core, making it easy to catch a bus to get around the city. These terminals are also convenient for visitors who need to access the city's main attractions.

The longest bus route in Thunder Bay covers over 29 km and has 85 stops, making it a significant part of the city's transit system. This route starts from City Hall Terminal and ends at Frederica & Brown.

Thunder Bay Transit also operates three minor hubs at key points in the city, including Lakehead University, Confederation College, and Intercity Shopping Centre. These hubs provide convenient access to these popular destinations.

The most popular bus line for TB Transit is route 9, according to Moovit Insights.

Thunder Bay has a complex network of highways that can be a bit confusing to navigate. The Trans-Canada Highway 11/17 passes through the city, originating 1km east of Nipigon and terminating approximately 45km west of Thunder Bay.

The Harbour Expressway is a four-lane highway that bisects the city laterally in the Intercity and Balmoral Park areas. It's worth noting that the "expressway" designation of both the Thunder Bay and Harbour expressways has been called into question.

Highway 102 connects the intersection of Highway 11/17 at Red River Road in the east to the community of Kaministiquia in the west. This highway provides an important route for locals and visitors alike.

The Thunder Bay Expressway is no longer the primary route for Highway 11/17, having been bypassed by a new stretch of highway called the "Shabaqua Highway" in 2007. This new highway begins at the intersection of the Thunder Bay and Harbour Expressways in Thunder Bay and travels 13km west to the intersection of Vibert Road and the Trans-Canada in Paipoonge.

Thunder Bay Port is the westernmost port of the Canadian portion of the St. Lawrence Seaway, located over 3000km from the Atlantic Ocean.

It's capable of handling all types of cargoes, and is served by the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railways.

The port has numerous berths allowing for a quick turn-around time.

Grain, coal, potash, and forest products are the main cargoes handled at the port.

Keefer Terminal is the main cargo handling facility, with 500,000 square metres of indoor storage area and 6.4 hectares of outdoor storage area.

Thunder Bay Terminals Ltd. provides a rail and vessel link for the movement of low sulphur bituminous and lignite coal from western Canada.

Thunder Bay's city infrastructure is designed to support its diverse transportation options. The city has a comprehensive network of roads and highways, including the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 11, which connects Thunder Bay to other major cities in Canada.

The city's roads are well-maintained, with regular snow removal and maintenance operations during the winter months. This ensures that drivers can navigate the city safely and efficiently.

The city's infrastructure also includes a number of bridges, including the Arthur V. Mauro Bridge, which spans the Kaministiquia River and provides a critical link between the city's north and south sides. This bridge is a vital part of the city's transportation network.

The city's road network is supported by a number of public transportation options, including buses and taxis. The Thunder Bay Transit system operates a fleet of buses that cover much of the city, providing convenient and affordable transportation for residents and visitors alike.

In Thunder Bay, you have several alternative modes of transportation to get around the city.

The city has a public transit system that includes buses and a downtown shuttle. This system is operated by Thunder Bay Transit and offers affordable fares.

Walking and cycling are also viable options, with many bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly routes throughout the city.

If you're in Thunder Bay, you've got a few options for getting around by taxi. Roach's Yellow Taxi and Diamond-Lacey's Taxi are the two major taxi companies in the area.

For those who need a bit more assistance, Superior Accessible Taxi offers handicapped accessible taxi services.

The on-demand economy is expected to continue growing, with a projected market value of $335 billion by 2025.

On-demand services are changing the way we live and work, offering flexibility and convenience that traditional services often can't match.

Thunder Bay's industrial and commercial transportation scene is a bustling hub of activity. The city's strategic location on the shores of Lake Superior makes it an ideal spot for cargo ships and freighters to dock and unload their goods.

The Thunder Bay Marine Terminal is a major player in the region's transportation industry, handling over 1 million tons of cargo annually. This includes everything from grain and oil to machinery and equipment.

Thunder Bay's industrial sector relies heavily on rail transportation, with the Canadian National Railway and the Canadian Pacific Railway both having major hubs in the city. In fact, the city's rail network is one of the busiest in Canada, with over 100 trains passing through each day.

The city's commercial sector also relies on trucking, with several major highways passing through Thunder Bay, including Highway 11 and Highway 17. This makes it an important hub for over-the-road trucking and freight transport.

The Ontario government has a long history of investing in transportation infrastructure in Thunder Bay. This commitment to public transit has been ongoing for years, with a recent example being the $2,205,325 investment in the Thunder Bay – Atikokan Transit.

This funding is part of the 2024-25 Gas Tax program, which allocates $0.02 per litre of gasoline sold in Ontario to support municipal transit systems. Municipalities can use this funding for transit operating and capital costs.

The breakdown of funding for Thunder Bay – Atikokan is as follows:

The Ontario government is investing over $380 million in 106 municipalities across Ontario to improve local transit. This investment will help provide reliable, accessible, and affordable public transit options for residents in Thunder Bay and beyond.

Thunder Bay has been a port since the days of the North West Company, with a schooner maintained on Lake Superior.

The city's significant navigation began after 1855 with the opening of the canal at Sault Ste. Marie (Soo Locks), which allowed ships to bypass the rapids of the St. Marys River.

The federal government dredged the Kaministiquia River from 1873 onwards and built a large breakwater in Thunder Bay starting in 1884.

Thunder Bay Port Authority manages Keefer Terminal, built on a 320,000 square meter site on Lake Superior.

Until the 1970s, coal, grain, iron ore, and package freight were handled through the port in massive quantities.

The city's economy was heavily reliant on its role as a break-bulk point, where goods were transferred from ships to trains or other modes of transportation.

However, the introduction of Intermodal freight transport by the railway has eliminated the need for costly transshipment, significantly impacting the city's economy.

The loss of grain subsidies (the Crow Rate) and the free trade agreement with the United States have also contributed to Thunder Bay's decline as a linchpin in Canadian east-west trade.

In Ontario, the government is making a significant investment in public transit in Thunder Bay – Atikokan.

The Ontario government is investing $2,205,325 to support public transit in Thunder Bay – Atikokan through the 2024-25 Gas Tax program. This funding can be used to expand service hours, increase routes, purchase new vehicles and improve accessibility to increase transit ridership.

This investment is part of a larger effort to improve local transit across Ontario, with the government investing over $380 million in 106 municipalities.

The breakdown of funding for Thunder Bay – Atikokan is as follows: the City of Thunder Bay will receive $2,181,141, while the Town of Atikokan will receive $24,184.

The Gas Tax program provides $0.02 per litre of gasoline sold in Ontario to support municipal transit systems, and municipalities may use this funding for transit operating and capital costs.