Is public transit coming to Perth?

No. Council has approved an update to the Town’s Transportation Master Plan—not a public transit system.

We’ve seen headlines suggesting that public transit is “on the way.” To clarify: Council recently awarded a contract to prepare an updated Transportation Master Plan (TMP). This is a long-range planning study. It does not launch or fund a transit service.

A Transportation Master Plan looks at how people and goods move through Perth today and how that may change over the next 10 to 20 years. It examines roads, bridges, active transportation, growth pressures, safety, and long-term infrastructure priorities.

The study considers all transportation modes as part of a comprehensive review, which can include transit among many other options. However, approving a TMP does not mean any specific project or service has been approved.

It’s also important to note that this is not Perth’s first Transportation Master Plan. The Town’s current TMP was completed in 2017 under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process and has guided transportation planning since that time. Updating it ensures our plans reflect boundary changes, new development, and projected growth. It also helps guide future road planning and provides direction for both Town staff and prospective developers as the community grows.

You may also have heard about Lanark County’s Rural Transit Feasibility Study. That is a separate County-led initiative exploring regional transit options. It is not a Town of Perth project and does not represent an approved transit service within Perth.

If future recommendations involve new infrastructure or services, those decisions would return to Council for separate review, public input, and funding approval.

Planning ahead helps ensure transportation decisions are thoughtful, financially responsible, and aligned with Perth’s long-term needs.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always check our website and official social media pages. If you ever have a question about what you’ve read or heard, we’re happy to help.