Ontario Investing Over $42 Million in Eight Niagara Transit Projects
September 4, 2025
St. Catharines – As part of the province’s historic investments in regional transit, the Ontario government is investing more than $42 million for eight Niagara Transit projects through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. Niagara Transit is receiving a total of more than $128 million from the federal, provincial and regional governments to refresh its transit fleet and improve local public transit services.
“Today, we are marking a milestone for commuters in Niagara by announcing a historic investment in transit infrastructure that will connect communities and make it easier for residents to get where they are going with fast, reliable bus services,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.
“Our government will continue to protect Ontario with public transit investments that support local economic growth and our growing population in Niagara.”
MPP Oosterhoff joined Hon. Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation, along with Chris Bittle, MP for St. Catharines, and Mat Siscoe, Mayor of the City of St. Catharines, today at Niagara Transit headquarters in St. Catharines to announce the joint funding.
“Our government is protecting Ontario from American tariffs by investing $70 billion over the next ten years to build the largest public transit expansion in Canadian history, including right here in Niagara,” said Minister Sarkaria.
“We are connecting people to good-paying jobs and housing, helping our local businesses thrive and growing our economy.”
This funding will be used to purchase 124 conventional diesel buses to replace Niagara Transit vehicles that have reached the end of their life, supporting a modern, more convenient experience for commuters. The new buses will feature real-time tracking information, up-to-date bus times for riders, secure payment fareboxes and cameras to enhance public safety.
The funding will also contribute toward replacing thirty specialized and paratransit buses, refurbishing three conventional diesel buses, adding two vehicles to the specialized transit fleet, and developing a long-term growth plan for Niagara Transit.
“Aging infrastructure is a growing challenge for communities across Canada,” said MP Bittle.
“The federal investment of more than $50 million to renew Niagara’s bus fleet shows how our government is working with provinces and municipalities to provide the funding needed to keep communities moving.”
“Regional Council has long recognized the importance of building a modernized, integrated and efficient transit system that serves all of Niagara and connects our region with the economic opportunities of the Greater Toronto Area,” said Jim Bradley, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Niagara.
“Today’s investment will allow Niagara Transit to make valuable updates to allow its intermunicipal transit and paratransit fleet to meet the growing needs of local riders for years to come.”
“I want to express my thanks to our federal and provincial government partners for this important investment in Niagara Transit’s conventional and specialized fleet,” said Mayor Siscoe, who also serves as Chair of Niagara Transit.
“Our partnership is key to both sustaining and growing our network to ensure Niagara residents are able to connect to every corner of the region and beyond.”
Alongside new roads and highways, public transit projects are vital to protecting the province’s economy and connecting more people to jobs and housing. The Ontario government is currently leading the largest expansion of public transit in North America.