Travel Advisory in Effect

Travel Advisory in Effect

Please check in with Ontario Northland Customer Care to confirm if your scheduled trip is operating by calling 1-800-461-8558.

For further details on weather alerts, please visit https://meteo.gc.ca/index_e.html

STORM WARNING 

Ontario Northland understands the importance and responsibility of getting our passengers and parcels to their desired locations on time without compromising safety. At Ontario Northland, we take pride in making every effort to ensure that our service will run every day as scheduled.

Ontario Northland is constantly monitoring road and weather conditions. This may lead to Storm Warnings being issued, affecting certain routes. When a storm warning is issued, current and/or imminent weather conditions may cause hazardous travel conditions resulting in the possibility of any of the following scenarios:

Ontario Northland service will be delayed

The service will be interrupted enroute

Ontario Northland service will be cancelled

If your schedule allows, we suggest that you postpone your trip until a later time when the warning is lifted. During a Storm Warning, Ontario Northland will rebook your ticket to a later date at no charge. Passengers scheduled to travel on a route that is cancelled due to a Storm Warning (Travel Advisory) will be entitled to a refund. If your route is not under a Storm Warning, standard transaction fees will apply for eligible tickets.

If a passenger decides to travel under a Storm Warning, Ontario Northland will not accept responsibility for any additional costs incurred due to service delays, interruptions, or cancellations. Please ensure that you have planned by taking the following action:

Notify anyone who will be picking you up, that delays may occur

Ensure that you have additional cash or a debit/credit card to cover any additional needs which may arise

If you decide to leave now, you accept responsibility for any additional expenses that may occur as a result of a delay or interruption of service, as well as any other possible inconvenience. This may include an overnight stay at a hotel.

Please note that unaccompanied children cannot travel when a storm warning is in effect with Ontario Northland.

How will passengers know if a Storm Warning has been posted?

In the event of inclement weather, Ontario Northland advises passengers to regularly check ontarionorthland.ca. If a Storm Warning has been posted for any route, a Travel Advisory will appear on the website.

Ontario Northland route information can also be obtained by:

Phone 1.800.461.8558

Email us by visiting the Contact Us section

Contact a local Ontario Northland Station or agency through the Station Locater tab

Follow us through social media via Facebook and Twitter

Service updates

January 19, 2026

Additional Polar Bear Express service dates

Please be advised Ontario Northland will be offering additional Polar Bear Express service on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, to accommodate increased travel demand to the Mushkegowuk Cup event in Timmins.

Tickets for this date can now be purchased at ontarionorthland.ca.

Please note this additional service date is in addition to the existing Polar Bear Express winter schedule, which will still operate every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

If you have any questions, please contact passengercare@ontarionorthland.ca or 1 (800) 363 7512.

January 19, 2026

Schedule Changes for Trip 402 Hearst - Timmins

Ontario Northland is updating the schedule for Trip 1404 Hearst – Timmins (Route 402). The changes will take effect on Monday, February 2, 2026. These changes are designed to provide additional time for passengers to make connections at the Timmins Terminal.

The changes are listed in this table below:

North Region: Schedule 402 Original Schedule 402 (Ends Feb 1) New Schedule 402 (Feb 2 onwards)  
Trip# 1404 1404 1412
Frequency MON,WED & FRI MON,WED & FRI SUN to FRI
Hearst 4:45 04:30 -
Val Coté Flag Stop Flag Stop -
Mattice Flag Stop Flag Stop -
Opasatika Flag Stop Flag Stop -
Harty Flag Stop Flag Stop -
Val Rita Flag Stop Flag Stop -
Kapuskasing 5:50 05:40 -
Kapuskasing 5:55 05:45 -
Moonbeam 6:10 06:04 -
Fauquier Flag Stop Flag Stop -
Strickland Flag Stop Flag Stop -
Smooth Rock Falls 6:45 06:38 -
Cochrane 7:20 07:20 -
Cochrane 7:30 07:25 -
Timmins - Timmins & District Hospital/l'Hôpital de Timmins et du District 8:35 08:35 -
Timmins 8:40 08:40 -
Timmins - - 09:10
Mattagami First Nation/Première Nation de Mattagami - - 10:15
Gogama - - 10:39
Watershed - - 11:06
Watershed - - 11:21
Half Way Lake - - Flag Stop
Cartier - - Flag Stop
Levack - - 12:31
Dowling - - Flag Stop
Chelmsford - - 12:52
Azilda - - Flag Stop
Sudbury - Health Sciences North/Horizon Santé-Nord - - 13:21
Sudbury - - 13:38

 

This adjustment supports Ontario Northland’s commitment to providing safe and reliable services while reducing opportunities for missed and delayed connections for passengers.

Please contact passengercare@ontarionorthland.ca or call 1 (800) 363 7512 with any questions or concerns.

January 7, 2026

ONTC relocating Motor Coach Operations in Sault Ste. Marie

Ontario Northland's motor coach services in Sault Ste. Marie will move to 218 Industrial Park Crescent, Unit 1, starting January 18, 2026. 

The new location will have a slight change in the scheduled arrival and departure times for trips 1501, 1500, 1625 and 1624. Please consult the schedules below for detailed information:

1501 (Sudbury- Sault Ste Marie) – https://www.ontarionorthland.ca/communications/schedules/011826/2026-01-18-SCHED-503-504-EN.PDF

1500 (Sudbury- Sault Ste Marie) - https://www.ontarionorthland.ca/communications/schedules/011826/2026-01-18-SCHED-503-504-EN.PDF

1625 (Thunder Bay – Sault Ste Marie) - https://www.ontarionorthland.ca/communications/schedules/011826/2026-01-18-SCHED-601-602-EN.PDF

1624 (Thunder Bay – Sault Ste Marie) - https://www.ontarionorthland.ca/communications/schedules/011826/2026-01-18-SCHED-601-602-EN.PDF 

Visit Ontario Northland’s website to learn how to access the Onboard Entertainment system, prior to boarding. 

For questions, contact passengercare@ontarionorthland.ca or call 1 800 363 7512. 

November 17, 2025

Additional service dates

Ontario Northland is pleased to offer three additional service dates in December 2025 to support higher-than-usual travel demands for residents of Moosonee and Moose River during the holiday season. Those dates are:

  • Wednesday, December 17
  • Sunday, December 21
  • Wednesday, December 24

The extended service will run at the same time as our regular service with the Polar Bear Express departing Cochrane at 9 am and arriving in Moosonee at 2 pm. The Polar Bear Express then departs Moosonee at 5 pm and arrives in Cochrane at 10 pm. Additional service dates support the existing Polar Bear Express winter schedule, which operates every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Visit ontarionorthland.ca to purchase your Polar Bear Express tickets. If you have any questions, please contact info@ontarionorthland.ca or 1 (800) 363-7512.

October 3, 2025

Construction Notice: Cochrane Station

Ontario Northland is pleased to share that our Cochrane Station is receiving an exciting upgrade to enhance safety, accessibility and the overall travel experience for passengers.

The interior of the station will be under construction starting October 4, 2025. During this time, passengers will have access to temporary indoor waiting areas adjacent to the stations. Waiting areas will be accessible and equipped with washrooms, seating and a counter for ticket purchase.

Ontario Northland employees will also be available for assistance during this time.

These upgrades are part of our commitment to deliver a seamless travel experience with modern, accessible and safe station facilities.

We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Please contact 1-800-461-8558 or passengercare@ontarionorthland.ca with any questions or concerns. 

September 11, 2025

ONTC joins Barrie Transit at the new Allandale Terminal

Ontario Northland is excited to share that our motor coach services in Barrie are moving from 24 Maple Avenue to the new Allandale Transit Terminal located at 20 Essa Road.

Ontario Northland will service both locations, including pick up and drop off and ticket purchases from September 21-28, 2025. Arrival and departure times may be impacted during the transition. Our team will do our best to mitigate any delays.

We will begin providing service at the Allandale Transit Terminal exclusively on September 29, 2025.

Please contact passengercare@ontarionorthland.ca or call 1 (800) 363-7512 if you have any questions.

Thank you for choosing Ontario Northland.

July 22, 2025

Notice of Construction Work

Please be advised that platform construction is now underway at Cochrane Station.

During this time, access to coaches may be limited and Polar Bear Express passengers may not be able to access the station building from the platform.

If access is blocked at the platform, passengers can access the building by using the entrance closest to the parking lot. A dedicated customer service agent will be onsite to assist with directions and luggage.

This construction is necessary to perform accessibility upgrades and make platform improvements for the restoration of the Northlander.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any questions, please contact info@ontarionorthland.ca or 1 (800) 363 7512.

Thank you for choosing Ontario Northland.

July 14, 2025

Schedule updates for Trip 1412

Ontario Northland is updating the trip schedule on the daily motor coach service between Timmins and Sudbury (Trip 1412). The updated schedule will ensure passengers continue to experience safe and reliable transportation services.

Updated Schedule:

Southbound Trip 1412 Current Time As of August 11, 2025 Schedule Difference
Timmins 9:10 9:00 10-minute earlier departure  
Mattagami First Nation 10:25 10:15 10-minute earlier departure  
Gogama 10:47 10:39 8-minute earlier departure  
Watershed 11:29 11:21 8-minute earlier departure  
Half Way Lake   Flag Stop Flag Stop  
Cartier   Flag Stop Flag Stop  
Levack 12:37 12:31 6-minute earlier departure  
Dowling   Flag Stop Flag Stop  
Chelmsford 12:55 12:52 3-minute earlier departure  
Azilda   Flag Stop Flag Stop  
Sudbury – Health Sciences North   13:19 13:21 2-minute earlier departure
Sudbury 13:38 13:40 2-minute later arrival  

Please contact info@ontarionorthland.ca or 1 (800) 363-7512 if you have any questions.

June 20, 2025

Polar Bear Express Delays

Ontario Northland will be conducting critical work on the Polar Bear Express rail corridor over the next several weeks. This work may cause delays of up to 45 minutes. If you have any questions, please contact info@ontarionorthland.ca or 1 (800) 363-7512.

April 28, 2025

New Pilot Program to Enhance Service.

Ontario Northland is excited to share the launch of a new pilot program in partnership with the City of North Bay that will provide a seamless and affordable experience for travellers. Starting April 28, 2025, Ontario Northland passengers can use their same-day Ontario Northland bus ticket to transfer to and from North Bay Transit, at no additional cost.

This pilot program will run for six months to gather data and feedback that will help assess the service’s effectiveness.

Ontario Northland provides safe and reliable bus transportation services that passengers can depend on. We are dedicated to continually improving our services and collaborating with the communities we serve.

For more information reach out to our Passenger Services team at passengercare@ontarionorthland.ca or at 1-800-461-8558.

April 24, 2025

Polar Bear Express added Sunday service starts in June

Please be advised Ontario Northland will be offering additional Polar Bear Express service throughout the month of June 2025. Sunday service will begin on June 1 and continue through June 29, 2025.

Tickets for this date can now be purchased at ontarionorthland.ca.

Please note this service is in addition to the existing Polar Bear Express schedule, which will still operate every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

The summer schedule will begin on July 6 and will offer Sunday service until October 19.

If you have any questions, please contact info@ontarionorthland.ca or 1 (800) 363-7512.

Thank you for choosing Ontario Northland.

January 17, 2025

Polar Bear Express Additional Service Dates

We are excited to share that we are offering additional services on select dates between January and March 2025. Additional Polar Bear Express service dates include:

Northbound January 26 February 12 February 16 February 19 March 8 March 15
Lv. Cochrane 9:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m.
Arr. Moosonee 2:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m.
Southbound              
Lv. Moosonee 4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
Arr. Cochrane 9:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m.

 

Tickets for these additional dates can now be purchased at https://tickets.ontarionorthland.ca/.

If you have any questions, please contact info@ontarionorthland.ca or 1 (800) 363-7512.

Please note, new service dates are in addition to existing Polar Bear Express winter schedules, which will still operate every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Thank you for choosing Ontario Northland.