Yesterday, Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation, announced that Ontario is providing $375 million through the Gas Tax program to help 109 municipalities across the province operate and expand public transit, including The Town of Innisfil.
Innisfil will be receiving a total of $376,027. The province will flow the funding as soon as possible in 2021.
A transit update report will be prepared, with a target to be ready for March, to outline the use of these funds as part of the 2021 transit budget.
"This report will consider the extension of existing partnerships as well as other enhancements such as the continued provision of ‘vouchers’ that the Town has been providing for free trips to essential locations such as grocery stores, pharmacies and the Food Bank," said Paul Pentikainen senior policy planner for the town.
"Our government is committed to helping municipalities sustain and improve public transit throughout the province," said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. "Supporting transit systems is more important than ever as municipalities across Ontario struggle during the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding will help ensure people have access to safe, reliable transportation to get to work or pick up essential items like a prescription."
Funding for the Gas Tax program is determined by the number of litres of gasoline sold in the province during the previous year. Municipalities supporting public transit services in their community receive two cents per litre of provincial gas tax revenue collected. This funding can be used to extend service hours, buy transit vehicles, add routes, improve accessibility or upgrade infrastructure.
"Transit systems again thank this government for its unwavering support. From keeping existing service running safely and conveniently to building transit for tomorrow, Minister Mulroney has been an ally of transit systems and our riders. Ontario has placed immense value on public transit to help frontline workers get to and from work each day throughout the pandemic," said Kelly Paleczny, Chair of Ontario Public Transit Association and General Manager of the London Transit Commission. "This funding is crucial to communities across the province in the fight against COVID-19 and will play an important role in Ontario's economic recovery."
