York Region receiving nearly $17M to support transit services

Ontario's annual gas tax funding will help cover the cost of York Region Transit fuel, maintenance and operations expenses

Newmarkettoday.ca
Jan. 22, 2021

York Region’s annual funding from the province’s gas tax program is almost $17 million this year.

The program provided $375 million to more than 100 communities across Ontario with public transit systems.

“Our government is continuing to support our local transit system in York Region,” said Christine Elliott, MPP for Newmarket-Aurora. “This funding will help make it easier for people in York Region to get where they need to go while supporting economic recovery in our community.”

Funding for the gas tax program is determined by the number of litres of gasoline sold in the province during the previous year. Municipalities supporting public transit services in their community receive two cents per litre of provincial gas tax revenue collected.

The provincial gas tax program provides this money to York Region every year, and according to director of communications Patrick Casey, it has become an extremely important part of the budget and helps reduce the burden on property taxpayers.

As usual, this year’s instalment from the province will go toward York Regional Transit to pay for fuel, bus maintenance and operations expenses.

York Region chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson thanked the province for the funds.

"On behalf of the Regional Municipality of York, I again thank the government of Ontario for their sustained commitment to building transit-oriented communities,” said Emmerson.

“Through the provincial gas tax funding agreement, York Region will continue to maintain safe, reliable and essential transit services and support the growth and economic recovery of our communities.”