Communities across the region are benefitting from provincial funds for public transit.
Queen’s Park is providing $375.6 million to 107 municipalities in 2022 as part of Ontario’s Gas Tax program.
The money allocation is determined by the number of litres of gasoline sold in the province during 2021.
Municipalities that support public transit services in their community receive two cents per litre of provincial Gas Tax revenue, which can be used to extend service hours, buy transit vehicles, add routes, improve accessibility or upgrade infrastructure.
“Our government knows that supporting public transit systems is more important than ever as communities struggle to maintain service levels during COVID-19,” said Greg Rickford, MPP for Kenora—Rainy River. “That is why we have topped up this year’s Gas Tax funding to make up for reduced sales at the pump.”
The funding breakdown is as follows:
Dryden $66,714
Machin $9,374
Sioux Lookout $50,985
Kenora $142,998
Fort Frances $71,538
Atikokan $23,817
Thunder Bay $2,251,850
The province also pledged a one-time payment of $120.4 million to make up for reduced gas sales due to COVID-19.