Ontario Investing $6,845,789 in Niagara Region Transit
St. Catharines – The Ontario government is supporting the newly consolidated Niagara Region Transit system with a $6,845,789 investment from the 2023-24 Gas Tax Program. The funding can be used to expand service hours, increase routes, purchase new vehicles and improve accessibility to increase transit ridership.
“This investment is fantastic news for transit riders across Niagara,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, we continue to invest in local transit to drive economic growth, make travel more convenient and connect people to the things that matter most to them.”
The Ontario government is investing almost $380 million across the province to help 102 municipalities improve local transit through the Gas Tax Program. 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.
“We are immensely grateful to the provincial government for their generous allocation of $6.8 million in gas tax funding,” said Jim Bradley, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Niagara.
“This critical investment will empower us to enhance our region’s infrastructure and better serve our residents. On behalf of Regional Council, I wish to thank the province for this funding that will be used to directly support public transit across Niagara.”
“Provincial gas tax funding continues to be the best tool in our arsenal to continue to invest in transit services in Niagara and funding the expansion of those services that residents have told us clearly they want to see,” said Mat Siscoe, Mayor of the City of St. Catharines and Chair of the Niagara Transit Commission.
“I appreciate, once again, the provincial government’s contribution to moving our region forward.”
On January 1, 2023, the Niagara Transit Commission launched a newly consolidated regional transit system, serving riders across Niagara.
“No matter where you live, Ontarians deserve access to fast, reliable and affordable public transit,” said Hon. Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation.
“Our government is helping municipalities improve their transit systems now and for decades to come.”