By Cecilia Nasmith
Northumberland municipalities will share $130,809 to help address the financial impacts of COVID-19 on their transit systems.
The announcement from Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini said this is in addition to $2-billion previously committed from both the province and the Federal government through the Safe Restart Agreement to ensure municipalities can continue to deliver critical transit services at a time when ridership in some cases dropped up to 90% from normal levels.
“This important funding helps ensure a safe return to service and is yet another example of our government working collaboratively with our municipal partners to support them during these trying times,” Piccini stated in the press release.
These allocations include $3,541 to the Township of Cramahe, $4,043 to the Municipality of Trent Hills, $40,043 to the Municipality of Port Hope and $82,629 to the Town of Cobourg.
Piccini also announced grants to the County of Peterborough ($2,088) and the Regional Municipality of Durham ($8,208,516).
This additional funding means that $650-million in funding is still available to municipalities up to year's end, with a further year's extension granted on a case-by-case basis. As well, Ontario is calling on the Federal government to match the additional funding announced today to help ensure municipal needs continue to be met.
As part of the Safe Restart Agreement, municipalities work with the province to explore options to ensure local transit is safe, sustainable, affordable and integrated. In support of this aim, Ontario allows municipalities to use this funding towards new initiatives like adding capacity for on-demand micro-transit and increasing fare and service integration across the region.
“This is just another example of all levels of government collectively working together to protect the health of Canadians while also ensuring a safe reopening of our economies,” Cobourg Mayor John Henderson commented.
“The funding provided by the provincial government will in turn assist our municipality in exploring an on-demand transit system that's more accessible, responsive and integrated.”
Port Hope Mayor Bob Sanderson recalled how his municipality – out of an abundance of caution – had reduced passenger capacity on their transit vehicles.
“This funding allows the municipality to continue to provide excellent transit services to our community and mitigates the costs associated with reduced ridership,” Sanderson said.
“Thanks to the Ontario government for the continued support of our rural transportation network and our important partnership with Community Care Northumberland,” Trent Hills Mayor Bob Crate added.
