Ontario provides C$14 million in funding for Community Transportation Grant Program

The government of Ontario is providing additional funding to ensure transportation services in 38 communities throughout the province are provided with the resources they need to establish their transportation services and build those services to a sustainable level.

The province said on June 28 that it would extend funding of up to C$14 million (US$11.34 million) through the Community Transportation Grant Program over two years toward communities to provide transportation services in unserved and underserved regions. The province says the additional funding and time to establish and build service will better position municipalities to continue operating after the program has completed.

The funding will extend support for transportation services including bus service, on-demand shared rides and door-to-door transportation services supported by the program for two additional years.

The Community Transportation Grant Program is currently providing up to C$30 million (US$24.31 million) over five years (2018-2023) to 38 municipalities to deliver 43 projects. This includes several municipalities who are partnering with or serving Indigenous communities and organizations.

The Community Transportation Grant Program supports transportation services in nine communities in the north, 12 in the southwest, 10 in eastern Ontario and seven in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

“The Community Transportation Grant Program is making life easier for people living in areas with few public transportation options,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “The additional investment in local and intercommunity transportation services will help residents – including Indigenous people, seniors and people with disabilities – get to work, school or appointments and will give communities added security as they recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and plan for the future.”