Ontario gives a boost to public transit

The Ontario government is providing $16,995,822 to support the expansion and improvement of public transit services in York Region.

The funding is part of the province’s Gas Tax program which will allocate $375.6 million this year to 107 municipalities that deliver public transit.

“This is incredible news for Markham-Stouffville,” MPP Paul Calandra said. “Supporting our public transit systems is more important now than ever before. This new funding through the Gas Tax Program will contribute to our economic recovery and help provide better transit services to those who need it the most.”

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, which can be used to extend service hours, buy transit vehicles, add routes, improve accessibility, or upgrade infrastructure.

To make up for reduced gas sales due to COVID-19, this year’s Gas Tax funding includes one- time additional funding of $120.4 million to ensure municipalities can support their transit systems.

 

Photo: “Supporting our public transit systems is more important now than ever before,” said MPP Paul Calandra.

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