The Link Tunnel Bus to Connect Detroit and Windsor – Launching Soon
A new cross-border bus service, The Link, will restore transportation between Detroit and Windsor after the end of Transit Windsor’s tunnel buses.
A private transportation company is planning to launch a new “tunnel bus service” between Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, Canada in the coming weeks. The service, called “The Link,” will revive cross-border bus travel after the shutdown of Transit Windsor’s tunnel buses at the end of August, according to the Detroit Free Press.
The new initiative is led by Mr. Dar Bhela, owner of VIP Transporter Limousine Service in Windsor and founder of The Link. Bhela stated that the goal is to start operations by October 1st, though the launch date may shift. Currently, two buses are ready, with two more expected by year’s end. The company has four drivers and two administrative staff, with plans to expand staffing by the end of the year.
Schedules and bus stops are still being finalized, but they will likely resemble those of the former Transit Windsor tunnel bus. Updates, including the official launch date, will be published on the official website: thelinqtunnelbus.com.
The Link Tunnel Bus: $15 Cross-Border Ride Between Detroit and Windsor
Ticket prices are expected to be $15 one way, which is $5 higher than the former Transit Windsor service. However, Bhela noted that if Transit Windsor had continued operating, its fares would likely have increased as well.
Initially, advance booking will not be available. Riders will pay onboard using credit or debit cards only—no cash will be accepted. Passengers must carry all necessary travel documents for border crossing. Starting next year, U.S. travel procedures may change, requiring pre-clearance authorization for passengers.
Bhela emphasized that community demand was the driving force behind launching this replacement service. The shutdown of the Transit Windsor tunnel bus left what he described as a “small void” for cross-border commuters.
Transportation advocates on both sides of the border criticized Windsor’s decision to cut the tunnel bus, citing its importance for workers commuting to jobs in Detroit and for those attending sporting and entertainment events. While Windsor officials originally justified the decision as a cost-saving measure, Mayor Drew Dilkens also pointed to U.S. tariffs under then-President Donald Trump as a contributing factor.
