Ontario Provides More Money for Public Transit in York Region

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

Richmond Hill – The Ontario government is providing more money 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 more than $379.5 million to help 107 municipalities operate and improve local transit. The funding for York Region is as follows:

  • York Region – $17,161,653

“I am pleased to announce that the Ontario government is investing more in the expansion and improvement of public transit services in York Region. The funding provided through the gas tax program will enable our local municipalities to operate and improve transit, making it more accessible and convenient for residents,” Said Daisy Wai, MPP for Richmond Hill. “This investment will help build a stronger and more connected community, and I am proud to be a part of a government that prioritizes the needs of its people.”

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.

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