An Owen Sound Transit bus. (photo supplied by City of Owen Sound)
More than $1-million is coming to municipalities in Grey Bruce with public transit systems from the province’s gas tax program.
The Ford government announced the annual allocations in news releases sent out by its Members of Provincial Parliament on Tuesday afternoon.
The province’s gas tax program provides funding each year to support public transit in 107 municipalities across Ontario. In all, the government is doling out nearly $380-million through the 2025-26 gas tax program.
In the Grey Bruce region, Owen Sound is receiving $246,000, Meaford will get $65,000 and the municipal partners involved in Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit — Hanover, Brockton, Arran-Elderslie, Brockton, Chatsworth, Huron-Kinloss, Kincardine, Saugeen Shores, Southgate and West Grey — are getting just over $740,000 combined.
The City of Owen Sound’s public transit system includes a traditional bus service, mobility bus and Guelph Owen Sound Transportation, a daily route that runs along the Highway 6 corridor between Owen Sound and Guelph.
Meaford Moves is the municipality of Meaford’s specialized door-to-door accessible bus service, which is available for people with a disability or mobility challenge.
SMART is also a specialized transit service available in its member municipalities for certain residents who deal with mobility challenges or a disability.
According to an Ontario government release, the Dedicated Funding for Public Transportation Act ensures two cents per litre of provincial gasoline tax is dedicated as a permanent funding source for public transit.
Municipal gas tax funding allocations are determined through public transit ridership, and population growth.