Ontario Investing over $9.6 Million in Durham Region Transit

Provincial gas tax funding will help operate and expand local public transit services

PICKERING — The Ontario government is supporting transit in the Regional Municipality of Durham with a $9.6 M investment from the 2023-24 Gas Tax program. The funding can be used to expand service hours, increase routes, purchase new vehicles and improve accessibility to increase transit ridership.

“Our government is committed to improving our community’s infrastructure and sustainability, including the improvement of Durham Region Transit,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge. “This $9.6 million investment marks another significant part of our plan for building a better Ontario, which aims to improve accessibility, reduce congestion, and promote more reliable transportation options.”

The Ontario government is investing almost $380 million across the province to help 102 municipalities improve local transit through the Gas Tax program. This year’s Gas Tax program includes a one-time additional $3 million to ensure municipalities can continue to support and grow their transit systems.

“Our government continues to support municipalities by extending funding from the Gas Tax, with an increase in allocation,” said Patrice Barnes, MPP for Ajax. “This $284,553 funding boost to Durham Region ensures that municipalities can improve service hours, acquire new vehicles, expand routes, and enhance accessibility. This initiative fosters a more connected and inclusive transportation network for all residents of this thriving region.”

“Our government knows that supporting public transit systems like Durham Regional Transit is more important than ever to ensure that public transit continues to be a reliable and accessible option for Whitby residents,” said Lorne Coe, Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier and MPP for Whitby. “We know how critical it is to keep people moving throughout our communities, and that is why we have topped up this year’s Gas Tax funding to ensure hard working Whitby families have access to the safe and reliable public transportation they need, when they need it.”

“This announcement is great news and with a $284,553 year-over-year increase in funding, Durham Region will be provided with more service options for our residents who rely regularly on public transit” said Todd McCarthy, MPP for Durham. “The Gas Tax program is designed to assist municipalities like Durham Region with increased funding for extended service hours, added routes and improved service and accessibility for Durham Region Transit riders. Our Government will continue to support municipalities like Durham Region and grow our economy with the necessary investments in infrastructure and transit”.

“The provincial gas tax funding is used to support our vision for Durham Region Transit (DRT), which has always focused on more seamless travel options, with a customer-centric approach to operations. DRT has a positive impact on people’s lives; driving economic opportunities; and building an even stronger integrated network. Today, DRT is experiencing record ridership and taking the necessary steps towards offering a zero-emissions fleet. This provincial funding is an investment in these efforts and a dedication to the future of our growing region.” – John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer of The Regional Municipality of Durham

The breakdown of funding for the Regional Municipality of Durham is as follows:
• Durham Region Transit – $9,633,396

“No matter where you live, Ontarians deserve access to fast, reliable and affordable public transit,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “Our government is helping municipalities improve their transit systems now and for decades to come.”

QUICK FACTS
• The 2023-24 Gas Tax program will help fund public transit in 102 municipalities serving 140 communities across the province, representing 94 per cent of all Ontarians.

• Funding for the Gas Tax program is set by the number of litres of gasoline sold in the province during the previous fiscal year.

• For every litre of provincial gas tax revenue collected in the previous fiscal year, two cents are allocated to the Gas Tax program.

• Municipal Gas Tax funding allocations are calculated based on total transit ridership (70 per cent of funding) and population (30 per cent of funding), both of which fluctuate from year to year.

• Funding allocations are capped at a maximum of 75 per cent of a municipality’s transit spending.

• Municipalities may use the funding for transit operating and/or capital expenditures.