Friday, November 13, 2015
Ministry of Transportation
Ontario Allocating Over $332 Million in Gas Tax Funding
Province Fuelling Transit Growth in Local Communities
Ontario is providing $332.9 million in gas tax funding to 95 municipalities this year to help expand and improve public transit--an increase of $11.4 million from last year.
Since 2004, Ontario has allocated more than $3.4 billion in gas tax funding to communities across the province. Municipalities use the funding to enhance accessibility, purchase additional transit vehicles, add more routes and extend hours of service, making it easier for people to use public transit. The program also helps ease traffic congestion and reduce air pollution.
Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in the province's history -- more than $130 billion over 10 years, which is making 110,000 jobs possible every year across the province, with projects such as roads, bridges, transit systems, schools and hospitals. Between April and September, Ontario announced support for more than 200 infrastructure projects that will keep people and goods moving, strengthen the economy, connect communities and improve quality of life.
Investing in transit is part of the government's plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people's talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario's history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.
Quick Facts:
- Ontario shares two cents per litre of provincial gas tax revenues with municipalities to expand and improve public transit
- Ontario made the funding for its Gas Tax Program permanent in 2013 to help municipalities improve transit
- One bus takes up to 40 vehicles off the road, and keeps 25 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions out of the atmosphere each year.
- In 2014, there was an increase of more than 217 million trips on municipal transit systems, compared to 2003 — equivalent to removing approximately 181 million car trips on roads.
- Ontario’s population is expected to grow by approximately 40 per cent by 2041, placing additional importance on having modern infrastructure to support a growing population.
- Research shows that every $100 million of public infrastructure investment in Ontario boosts GDP by $114 million, particularly in construction and manufacturing sectors.
Background Information:
Additional Resources:
Quotes:
"Year over year, this permanent funding program helps improve and expand our public transit systems. This is further proof of our government’s commitment to making the daily commute and quality of life better for Ontario families. "
— Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation
"Provincial funding has been paying off for our region, allowing Durham Transit to expand and make significant improvements. The Gas Tax Program helps residents of Durham to get out of their cars and onto transit. "
— Granville Anderson, MPP, Durham
"Our government is providing municipalities including Durham Region with permanent funding they can count on year after year. "
— Joe Dickson, MPP, Ajax-Pickering
"This is great news the hundreds of thousands of commuters who depend on public transit to get to work, to school and back home every day to their families. "
— Tracy MacCharles, MPP, Pickering-Scarborough East
Media Contacts:
Patrick Searle
Minister’s Office
patrick.searle@ontario.ca
Bob Nichols
Communications Branch
416-327-1158
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