NEWS RELEASE
NEWMARKET-AURORA MPP CHRISTINE ELLIOTT
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Ontario is providing $16,719,831 in funding to help the Regional Municipality of York address the financial impacts on its transit system from the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding is in addition to the $2 billion previously committed by Ontario and the federal government through the Safe Restart Agreement to help municipalities continue to deliver critical transit services.
During the peak of the pandemic, ridership dropped up to 90 per cent of normal levels for some of Ontario’s transit systems, which resulted in significant financial impacts for municipalities.
“Public transit is critical in helping ensure members of the community can get to where they need to go and in supporting York Region’s economic recovery,” said Christine Elliott, MPP for Newmarket-Aurora. “This additional funding of over $16 million will help York Region continue to provide safe and reliable public transit to members of our community now and in the future.”
The additional $150 million in provincial funding means that there is a total of $650 million in funding still available to municipalities up to Dec. 31, 2021, with extensions to December 2022 granted on a case-by-case basis. In addition, Ontario is calling on the federal government to match the additional funding announced today to help ensure municipal financial needs continue to be met.
“We heard from municipalities and we are responding to their need for more support as COVID-19 continues to result in lost revenue and additional costs for transit systems,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “Transit operators have done an incredible job keeping transit operating during this challenging time, and this support will help ensure there is reliable transportation for people can get to work or pick up essential items.”
As part of the Safe Restart Agreement funding, municipalities need to work with the province to explore options to ensure local transit is safe, sustainable, affordable and integrated, both during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
To support this work, Ontario is allowing municipalities to use Safe Restart Agreement funding towards new initiatives to make it easier and more affordable to travel between different transit systems, like adding capacity for on-demand microtransit and increasing fare and service integration across the region.
“We are committed to supporting our municipal partners in their mission to build back transit ridership when we come out of this pandemic,” said Associate Minister Kinga Surma. “We recognize there’s an opportunity now to work with our partners to ensure transit is safe, sustainable and affordable, both during COVID-19 and as we begin to recover.”
"The financial challenges of the pandemic have been difficult for every municipality, including York Region. I am very happy to hear that our government is investing an additional $16,719,831 to support public transit in our community during this difficult time. This is a very exciting announcement for the residents of my riding, and all of York Region who depend on these critical services," said Michael Parsa, MPP for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill.
“On behalf of York Regional Council and The Regional Municipality of York I thank the provincial government for their sustained support of residents and communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As more businesses and public spaces begin to open across York Region, more residents will be turning to transit to safely travel to-and-from work and other destinations. This funding will ensure safe and reliable transit options that support the economic vitality of our communities,” said Wayne Emmerson, Chairman and CEO, The Regional Municipality of York.
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