The Ontario government is providing more money to support the expansion and improvement of public transit services in midwestern Ontario.
In a joint statement, Huron Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson and Bruce Grey Owen Sound MPP Rick Byers announced nearly $748,745 in gas tax funding will be shared by Arran-Elderslie, Brockton, Chatsworth, Hanover, Huron-Kinloss, Kincardine, Saugeen Shores, Southgate and West Grey. Meaford will receive $73,439, and $259,379 goes to the City of Owen Sound.
“Municipal transit systems are essential to the success of our local communities and I’m happy to see that the Ontario government continues to provide the funding needed to ensure transit remains a safe and viable option across Ontario,” said Byers.
“Our government is committed to improving public transit across the province, including here in Huron-Bruce,” said Thompson. “Through this gas tax allocation, we are building better transit infrastructure and services to ensure it remains safe and reliable.”
Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae announced over $871,984 in funding for local public transportation in his riding, which is up 7.7 per cent from last year.
“Many people rely on public transportation in our rural communities,” said Rae. “I’m glad the Government of Ontario is providing this funding to our local municipalities to continue to support rural public transportation.”
“It is great to see a year over year increase in total funding for Perth County, while cutting the gas tax and providing drivers with relief at the pumps,” said Rae.
Municipality 2023 Funding North Perth $80,090 Perth East $73,121 St. Marys (Perth South) $163,485 Stratford $484,341 West Perth $70,947 Total $871,984 Funding for the gas tax program is determined by the number of litres of gasoline sold in the province during the previous year.To make up for reduced gas sales due to ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s gas tax program includes supplemental funding of $80-million to help ensure municipalities can continue to support their transit systems.“Public transit is a key driver of economic growth in Ontario, helping people get to where they need to go, whether it is to work, school, or run errands,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “As more people return to public transit, our government is providing municipalities with the funding they need to accommodate growing ridership, while ensuring they can continue to deliver safe and reliable transit service for people in their communities.”
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