Ontario Northland provides reliable and comfortable motor coach transportation from Hearst to Toronto, Sault Ste. Marie, Ottawa, Sudbury and many points in between. Our motor coaches also provide shipping services via Bus Parcel Express, an affordable station-to-station delivery service with multiple daily departures.
Booking
Ontario Northland uses a reservation based system, similar to airlines. This enables us to predict demand for any given date, therefore allowing us to offer the best possible service to our customers. Customers may present either a printed paper ticket or electronic ticket (viewable on a mobile device) to the bus driver, along with government photo ID. Book your ticket today!
Tickets are also available for purchase at any Ontario Northland station or agency.
Connections to Other Bus Carriers
Passengers connecting on schedules operated by third party carriers will need to purchase their ticket by visiting the third party website. Ontario Northland does not guaranteeconnections to third party carriers.
Baggage
Passengers are welcome to check one (1) pieceof baggage at no charge for storage in the compartment underneath the bus. Be sure that your luggage is tagged with your name, phone number and destination. All baggage must weigh less than 50 pounds (23 kg) and not be larger than 24 inches (61 cm) in depth, 24 inches (61 cm) in width and 45 inches (114 cm) in length (except snowboards, skis and ski poles). For your convenience, Ontario Northland will check two (2) additional pieces of baggage at $15 each. If you require checking more pieces of baggage, you will be charged the BPX (Bus Parcel Express) rate.
Each passenger is welcome to carry-on one piece of baggage, weighing no more than 15 pounds (7 kg).
If you are transferring to another carrier enroute, you will need to collect your baggage and re-check it with the connecting carrier.
Bicycles
Bicycles must be checked as baggage and meet the following criteria:
- It is the responsibility of the passenger to ensure the bike is packaged properly and ready for loading onto the bus at departure time.
- Ontario Northland will not be held liable for damage that may occur during transport, as we cannot verify the contents prior to packaging. If you wish to purchase insurance, the bike must be shipped via Bus Parcel Express and freight charges will apply.
- Passenger pays a fee of $25 plus HST to check the bike as baggage.
- The bike charge is valid for a one-way trip on Ontario Northland lines only. If connecting to another carrier, please contact the carrier directly for their information on shipping bikes.
- Bike boxes are available for purchase, at an additional cost of $41.00 plus HST, at select stations. Please call us at 1-800-461-8558 to confirm bike box availability. If no bike boxes are available at your departure location, we will make every effort to ship a box to your nearest Ontario Northland station or agency, in advance of your departure date.
- E-bikes are not accepted for transportation under the bus.
For further information, please call one of our helpful customer service agents at 1-800-461-8558.
Travel for people with disabilities
Ontario Northland is able to accommodate most wheeled mobility devices on our services. Many of our motor coaches are equipped with an elevator platform to accommodate passengers with reduced mobility or those in a wheelchair. If you require a wheelchair accessible coach, please make your reservation at least 48 hours in advance by calling 1.800.461.8558. Ontario Northland also provides complimentary travel for attendants.
Service Animals
ONTC requests that, where possible, the customer provide 48 hours advance notice for travel with a service animal. A guide dog as defined under the BPRA or an animal as described below in Section IV.2 of the IASR.
The person provides documentation from one of the following regulated health professionals confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability:
(i) A member of the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario.
(ii) A member of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario.
(iii) A member of the College of Nurses of Ontario.
(iv) A member of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario.
(v) A member of the College of Optometrists of Ontario.
(vi) A member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
(vii) A member of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.
(viii) A member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario.
(ix) A member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario.
Note: ONTC accepts documentation from equivalent health professionals licensed in other Canadian provinces or territories to support travel with a service animal.
The following conditions apply for travel with a service animal onboard ONTC passenger vehicles:
- The customer must keep their service animal under control and with them at all times
- The service animal must be properly restrained (i.e., harnessed, tethered, leashed and/or in a carrier) at all times unless this would interfere with the service animal’s safe and effective performance of its work, or the customer’s disability prevents their use. In such cases, the service animal must still be otherwise under the physical or vocal control of the customer and must not disrupt the enjoyment of other passengers or the operation of the vehicle.
- The service animal may not block any aisles or exits
- The service animal must be up to date on any vaccinations that may be required by law, and be in good health (or its medical conditions controlled appropriately).
- Customers must clean up after their service animal. ONTC requests that animal waste not be disposed of onboard.
ONTC may disallow boarding onto or into, or require customers to remove their service animal from the bus, train or station premises if:
- The service animal is not properly controlled and effective action is not immediately taken to control the service animal (for example, if the service animal is not under the physical control of the customer, or is vocalizing repeatedly and uncontrollably or the animal is not housebroken);
- The service animal is acting aggressively or appears to be dangerous, distressed or in pain;
- The service animal poses a threat to the health or safety of others; or
- The service animal is otherwise excluded by law from the bus, train, or station premises.
If the customer is asked to remove the service animal but would like to remain on the premises of the station or continue travel without the service animal, the customer must make arrangements at their cost for another person or animal control to assume custody of the service animal.
ONTC encourages customers to travel with documentation supporting their needs and the status of the animal as a service animal (if applicable), in the event it is requested.
If your particular circumstance falls outside the statements of the policy, please contact Customer Care by telephone (1-800-461-8558) or email passengercare@ontarionorthland.ca and we will review your request.
Connecting to the Complimentary Wi-Fi
Access the web while you travel on the bus by activating the Wi-Fi function on your device or computer and finding the network indicated by the bus number (example ONTC-5482). If there is an issue with the connection please speak to the driver and ask for the hotspot to be reset.
If you are in a station, please select the “ONTC_WIFI” wireless network and connect.
AIR MILES® Reward Miles
Customers can get AIR MILES® Reward Miles when purchasing passenger tickets for our bus service.
For bus service, get 1 AIR MILES® Reward Milefor every $20.00 spent before fees and taxes on your bus fare. Not valid for group purchases, warrant or on-account purchases.
®™ Trademarks of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. Used under license by LoyaltyOne, Co. and Ontario Northland Transportation Commission.
Safety and Security
Ontario Northland is committed to providing a safe and pleasant environment for all its passengers and employees. Disrespectful or unsafe behaviour will not be tolerated on board Ontario Northland transportation services or in our stations. To find out more view our On Board Policies and Passenger Code of Conduct.