Tecumseh's new bus service won’t connect with Transit Windsor’s system, the town’s mayor says.

Mayor Gary McNamara said the new bus route will go by key points within the town, including the arena, the old town and the urgent care centre. But the bus won’t travel outside the town’s boundaries, which means people going west to neighbouring Windsor will have to walk to a connecting line and pay another fare.

Tecumseh resident Linda Armely said she hopes the town will consider changing the proposed route.

"I think it would be good if it could connect to Windsor, and vice versa, that Windsor could have access to Tecumseh through the bus,” Armely said.

Windsor city Coun. Caroline Postma, chair of Transit Windsor's board of directors, said she’s puzzled by Tecumseh’s decision to move forward with its own service when there’s a regional transit study underway.

“In my view, that municipality should have gone to the county table and said, ‘Is there any other region that wants this service and wants it now? If so, let’s get together, get with Transit Windsor and do the proper planning.’”

Postma said the lack of regional planning is why Transit Windsor did not bid on the service.

Tecumseh's town council awarded the bus contract to First Students Canada, a company based in Barrie. Council still has to give final approval to the pact, expected in December, after which service could start as early as January.

Town officials said service to Windsor isn’t being ruled out in the future, but said service for local residents is the town's first priority.