Ontario Provides More Money for Public Transit in York Region

Province tops up gas tax funding to make up for lower gas sales

Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill – The Ontario government is providing more money to support the expansion and improvement of public transit services across York Region. The funding is part of our province’s gas tax program which will allocate more than $379.5 million to help 107 municipalities operate and improve local transit. The funding amount of $17,161,653 will be allocated to municipalities within York Region.

“Our government is supporting municipalities across Ontario and York Region to ensure safe and reliable transit options for everyone,” said Michael Parsa, MPP for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill. “This investment will develop and improve transit systems, strengthening Ontario’s public infrastructure and ensuring long-term economic growth.”

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. 

To make up for reduced gas sales due to ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s gas tax program includes one-time additional 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.

QUICK FACTS

• Safe Restart Agreement to support municipal transit systems in response to COVID-19.
• Northern Ontario, southwestern Ontario, the Greater Golden Horseshoe and eastern Ontario.

Contact: Office of MPP Michael Parsa

Michael.parsaco@pc.ola.org