The Ontario government is providing more money to support the expansion and improvement of public transit services in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound and Huron-Bruce. The funding is part of the province’s gas tax program which will allocate more than $379.5 million to help 107 municipalities operate and improve local transit. The funding for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound and Huron-Bruce is as follows:
- $73,439 – Municipality of Meaford
- $259,379 – City of Owen Sound
- $748,745 – Municipalities of Arran-Elderslie, Brockton, Chatsworth, Hanover, Huron-Kinloss, Kincardine, Saugeen Shores, Southgate, West Grey
“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 Rick Byers, MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound.
Funding for the gas tax program is determined by the number of litres of gasoline sold in the province during the previous year. Municipalities that support public transit services in their community receive two cents per litre of provincial gas tax revenue collected.
“Our government is committed to improving public transit across the province, including here in Huron-Bruce,” said Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce. “Through this gas tax allocation, we are building better transit infrastructure and services to ensure it remains safe and reliable.”
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.”
Gas tax funding can be used to extend service hours, buy transit vehicles, add routes, improve accessibility or upgrade local infrastructure.
