Four municipalities in the greater Kawarthas region are among the 16 Ontario communities receiving funding from the Canadian and Ontario governments to improve public transit. The City of Kawartha Lakes, Cobourg, Port Hope, and Bancroft will receive almost $3 million in joint funding for their public transit projects.
In total, the federal government is investing more than $23 million in 30 projects, with the Ontario government providing over $19.1 million and municipalities contributing more than $17.5 million.
Catherine McKenna, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, announced the funding on Friday (September 18) in the City of Kawartha Lakes, where she was joined by Ontario Minister of Infrastructure and Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MP Jamie Schmale, and Kawartha Lakes Deputy Mayor Pat O’Reilly.
“Investing in modern and accessible public transportation systems allows Canadians to get around in faster, cheaper and cleaner ways,” McKenna said. “These new buses, upgraded shelters, and modernized software systems will help make public transit in Ontario more accessible and convenient for riders.”
In Kawartha Lakes, $2.9 million will support the renovation and expansion of a bus maintenance facility, seven new conventional buses (five to replace retiring vehicles and two to expand the fleet), a new transit hub and 20 additional transit stops, and additional bike racks and bike corrals.
The funding will also be used for upgrades to transit software will enhance the transit system’s efficiency and connectivity with road and active transportation networks, and will provide for a better customer experience. The federal government is contributing $946,478, the province $788,542, and the City of Kawartha Lakes $1,120,980.
In Cobourg, $1.2 million will be used to purchase of three new buses (two conventional 30-foot transit buses and one eight-metre low floor specialized vehicle) to replace aging vehicles in the fleet, which will improve the town’s transit system by making all buses fully accessible. The federal government is contributing $496,182, the province $413,443, and Cobourg $330,829.
In Port Hope, $264,500 in funding will support the procurement of a new specialized transit vehicle to expand services to rural areas, while the installation of new bus shelters, benches, concrete pads, and sidewalk approaches will improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of the transit system. The federal government is contributing $105,800, the province $88,158, and Port Hope $70,542.
In Bancroft, $210,768 will be used to purchase three new specialized transit fleet vehicles, which will increase the frequency of the fixed-route service while improving the responsiveness of the town’s on-demand specialized transit service, resulting in improved capacity, quality, and accessibility for public transit users. The federal government is contributing $84,307, the province $70,249, and Bancroft $56,212.
Other communities receiving funding include Huntsville, Sarnia, Orillia, Midland, Halton Hills, Elliot Lake, Timmins, Stratford, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Collingwood, Orangeville, and Wasaga Beach.
