Local transit receives boost thanks to gas tax program

By RTT Staff

The Town of Amherstburg has received $113,680 thanks to a provincial gas tax program.

Essex MPP Anthony Leardi’s office has announced that the Ontario government is providing more money to support the expansion and improvement of public transit services in Amherstburg. The $113,680 in 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, Leardi stated.

“Our government knows that municipal transit systems are essential to the success of our local communities, connecting people and families to jobs, housing and wherever they need to go,” said Leardi. “Under Premier Ford’s leadership, we continue to step up to the plate to provide the funding municipalities need to ensure transit remains a safe and reliable option in communities across Ontario.”

Leardi told the River Town Times the funding is for municipalities that offer public transit and apply for the funding. Of municipalities in the riding, he said Amherstburg and LaSalle received funding.

“It’s available but you have to apply for it,” he said.

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, a news release from Leardi’s office stated.

To make up for reduced gas sales due to ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022-23 gas tax program includes one-time additional funding of $80 million “to help ensure municipalities can continue to support their transit systems. “

Leardi believed the funding “will definitely assist” in covering at least some of the town’s costs related to its partnership with Transit Windsor.

“I think it’s good news,” he told the River Town Times. “Amherstburg doesn’t have a full-fledged public transit system but has the beginnings of one. The province wants to assist and make it more viable.”

“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. Leardi added municipalities can choose to participate in the program, stating “if it’s an offer you want to explore, we’ll help you to explore it.”

The 2022-23 gas tax program will support public transit in 144 communities in 107 municipalities across the province, representing more than 92 per cent of all Ontarians. The provincial and federal governments are providing up to $2.65 billion through the Safe Restart Agreement to support municipal transit systems in response to COVID-19.

The province has released four draft regional transportation plans for Northern Ontario, southwestern Ontario, the Greater Golden Horseshoe and eastern Ontario.