As part of its plan to protect Ontario, the province is investing a total of $1,052,544 to support public transit service in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound municipalities. This funding is through the 2025-26 Gas Tax program and can be used for local public transit initiatives such as expanding service hours, increasing routes, purchasing new vehicles and improving accessibility to increase transit ridership.
“Reliable and accessible public transit is needed to keep our rural and urban communities connected, and this funding is another example on how our government is continuing to invest in rural Ontario,” said Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce.
The province is investing nearly $380 million through the 2025-26 Gas Tax program to support public transit in 107 municipalities, helping protect Ontario communities by strengthening transit services across the province. In addition to the Gas Tax program, Ontario also supports municipal transportation projects through the Connecting Links, and Ontario Transit Investment Fund programs.
“Many alternative mobility options available to residents of Ontario’s rural municipalities are made possible because of the provincial gas tax,” said Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Paul Vickers. “I am glad that our government continues to support this important initiative, to support Meaford Moves, Owen Sound Transit, and Saugeen Mobility into the future.”
Municipalities will receive the following funding allocations:
Town of Hanover (Municipality of Arran-Elderslie, Municipality of Brockton, Township of Chatsworth, Township of Huron-Kinloss, Municipality of Kincardine, Town of Saugeen Shores, Township of Southgate, Municipality of West Grey) – Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit (SMART) – $740,828
Municipality of Meaford – Meaford Moves – $65,797
City of Owen Sound – Owen Sound Transit – $245,919
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is investing nearly $70 billion in public transit to protect Ontario by building a stronger, more resilient, self-reliant economy,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation. “Today, we’re ensuring municipalities can continue to deliver safe and reliable transit services for their communities.”
Under the Dedicated Funding for Public Transportation Act, 2013, two cents per litre of gasoline tax is dedicated as a permanent funding source for public transit. Gas Tax funding can be used towards transit operating and capital costs at the municipalities’ own discretion.
The Gas Tax funding envelope is determined annually, based on on the amount of gasoline sold in the previous year. Gas Tax funding is determined through public transit ridership and population growth. The province’s approach provides stable support to all municipalities, including small communities, and helps expand public transit service hours and routes, new vehicles and better transit accessibility.
Ontario is investing nearly $70 billion in the largest transit expansion in North America, including the largest subway expansion in Canadian history: the Ontario Line subway, the Yonge North Subway Extension, the Scarborough Subway Extension and the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension.
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