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. The funding for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound and Huron-Bruce is as follows:

• $259,379 – City of Owen Sound
• $73,439 – Municipality of Meaford
• $748,745 – Municipalities of Arran-Elderslie, Brockton, Chatsworth, Hanover, Huron-Kinloss, Kincardine, Saugeen Shores, Southgate, West Grey

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.

Gas tax funding can be used to extend service hours, buy transit vehicles, add routes, improve accessibility or upgrade local infrastructure.

“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.

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.”

The 2022-23 gas tax program will support public transit in 144 communities in 107 municipalities across the province, representing more than 92 per cent of all Ontarians.

source: media release