Improving Transportation for Youth, Seniors, Persons Living With Disabilities
Community Transportation Program Will Build Stronger Communities
Ontario.ca
April 13, 2015
A new pilot grant program will improve community transportation services for seniors, persons living with disabilities, youth and other members of the community who need transportation.
In March 2015, 11 municipalities were selected to receive up to $100,000 to provide better transportation services by sharing and coordinating community transportation resources.
As a result of new funding, another 11 municipalities will also receive up to $100,000. A total of 22 municipalities will now receive funding under the program.
The Community Transportation Pilot Grant Program provides funds to municipalities to partner with community organizations, such as health and community agencies, transit agencies, school-bus operators and private transit operators, to co-ordinate local transportation services, so more rides can be provided for more people to more destinations.
This program is part of the Ontario government's commitment to provide support to help seniors stay healthy and stay at home longer. It will also improve transportation services, options, and resources for everyone in the community, such as students and youth who need to get to school, persons living with disabilities, or those in rural areas where amenities and services are too far to reach without a car.
Investing in public transportation is part of the government's economic plan for Ontario. The four part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people's talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives, and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.
Quick Facts
- The Community Transportation Pilot Grant Program launched on Nov. 25, 2014, and closed on Jan. 30, 2015, with a total of 54 applications submitted across Ontario.
- Up to $2 million in funding will be provided from April 1, 2015, to March 31, 2017, with a maximum grant amount per eligible project of $100,000.
- After March 31, 2017, the funded community transportation services will be evaluated to determine the effectiveness of coordinated community transportation as a service delivery model.
Backgrounder
11 additional municipalities were selected to receive funding as part of the Community Transportation Pilot Grant Program.
Northwest
Dryden
Purchase of common software technology to create a single call number and website, and the centralization of information, intake, booking, scheduling and dispatch - $100,000
Northeast
Temiskaming Shores
Creation of an inventory and database of existing transportation services, development of promotional material and implementation of outreach program. - $40,000
Northeast
Muskoka
New daily, fixed-route shuttle, weekly bus routes to service rural and remote communities and expansion of volunteer driver programs for on-demand driving services. - $100,000
Northeast
White River
Purchase of common software to centralize booking system, establish routes and standardize intake and registration procedure. - $85,650
Southwest
Waterloo
New flex-route rural transportation service to be integrated with transportation services provided by community organizations as well as a conventional public transit system. - $99,700
Central
York Region
New rural dial-a-ride service that will integrate with YRT/VIVA conventional and specialized services. - $100,000
Central
Caledon
Leverage existing transportation through optimization of routing strategies to provide more rides through shared rides. - $100,000
Central
Peel
Transportation services for clients who are not eligible for TransHelp through integration of centralized scheduling and intake systems of TransHelp and Canes Community Care. - $100,000
Central
Hamilton
New community bus service to provide regularly scheduled service and on-demand trips for events for rural residents. - $48,240
East
Northumberland
Expansion and service enhancement of existing specialized transit system to provide county-wide transportation to rural areas. - $100,000
East
Lennox-Addington
Continuation and expansion of the current community transportation service through a centralized trip booking and dispatch service with all organizations using standardized trip referral procedures. - $100,000
