New bus service from Markham to Ottawa launches

Markham residents and visitors no longer need to travel to downtown Toronto for transportation service to the nation’s capital.

FlixBus, North America’s fastest-growing intercity bus service, has launched a new route connecting Markham and other Greater Toronto Area (GTA) suburbs directly to Ottawa.

The new service will operate seven days a week, with twice-daily departures most days, and once-daily service on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, connecting Toronto, Vaughan, Richmond Hill and Markham with Kingston and Ottawa. Key stop locations include Toronto Pearson Airport, Pioneer Village Terminal, Richmond Hill Centre, Cornell GO Bus Terminal at 467 Rustle Woods Ave. in Markham and Ottawa’s VIA Rail terminal.

The service supports Markham’s growing role as a regional transportation hub and helps bring more convenient, affordable travel options to a fast-growing part of the GTA, FlixBus reports. The route also provides direct access to York University and major regional transit hubs, offering a seamless connection with local systems like York Region Transit, Peel Region Transit and the TTC.

“This is a major step forward for intercity travel in Ontario,” says Karina Frayter, head of communications for Flix North America. “Until now, residents in these fast-growing suburbs had limited options to reach Ottawa without first travelling into downtown Toronto. We’re proud to fill that gap and give more Ontarians access to affordable, convenient and dependable long-distance transportation.”

FlixBus will “give people a lot more options (and) draw more people to Markham,” Destination Markham Executive Director Andrew Baldwin said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, held June 9 at Cornell Bus Terminal.

“I want to extend my sincere thanks to the FlixBus team for bringing this service here, providing Markham residents and visitors with more convenient and affordable travel options,” Regional Coun. Alan Ho said.

FlixBus offers amenities like free Wi-Fi, guaranteed seating, and a user-friendly app for booking and trip management. Tickets are now available at flixbus.ca and on the FlixBus app.

Photo (L-R): Andrew Baldwin and Ruida Lu, both from Destination Markham, Coun. Amanda Yeung Collucci and Isa Lee, and Regional Coun. Alan Ho at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Cornell Terminal celebrating the launch of FlixBus’s new route connecting Markham and other Greater Toronto Area suburbs directly to Ottawa.