Stratford, Perth County get $800K for public transit

NEWS RELEASE
OFFICE OF MATTHEW RAE
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Today, Matthew Rae, MPP for Perth-Wellington, announced over $882,000 in funding for local public transportation. This funding is provided through the province’s gas tax program.

“Public transportation is an important service in our rural communities,” said Rae. “The gas tax program continues to provide support to our rural municipal partners who deliver this vital service across Perth-Wellington. Our provincial government will continue to be there for our rural municipalities.”

The Ontario government is investing almost $380 million across the province to help 102 municipalities improve local transit through the gas tax program.

“We are so pleased to, once again, receive these funds through the Gas Tax program,” said Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma. “This provincial allocation will support our excellent city transit services and assist in offsetting our operating cost and capital expenses. This is especially important as we move towards the electrification of our transit fleet. Thank you MPP Rae and Minster of Transportation (Prabmeet) Sarkaria for your ongoing support.”

This year’s gas tax program includes a one-time additional $3 million to ensure municipalities can continue to support and grow their transit systems. Funding for the gas tax program is determined by the number of litres of gasoline sold in the province during the previous year.

For every litre of provincial gas tax revenue collected in the previous fiscal year, two cents are allocated to the program.

“No matter where you live, Ontarians deserve access to fast, reliable and affordable public transit,” said Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria. “Our government is helping municipalities improve their transit systems now and for decades to come.”

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